This week in science we studied how hot air balloons fly. Then, we used our knowledge to construct our own hot air balloons. The students were shown an example and given the cut pieces they would need. Each group was in charge of the order of construction and had to experiment how to get the smoothest and strongest seams. Tissue paper and glue aren't the easiest materials to manipulate. Each group worked with great cooperation and paitence.
We let the balloons set for the night before launch the next day. In the morning, we did some last checks for holes. We found that some seams came unstuck during the night. After careful investigation and repair, we headed out for launch.
The balloons all took flight. Success! The joy and wonder in the children's eyes was magical! We found our best flights were the third and fourth attempts. What a fantastic day in the connected combo! Thank you to Mrs. Gnerer for coming out to help and bringing our launchers. Also thank you to Mrs. Shimamoto, Mrs. Carsten, and Ms. Frey for your help during construction and launch.
Thank you to all the families able to make it to the open house/ice cream social this week. It is a busy time of year, and I appreciate you taking the time to visit. If you were unable to come, any information that was handed out came home on Friday.
At open house, I had a "Helping Hands" table set up. The table had volunteer opportunities, as well as donation suggestions to help with special projects. I can't thank you enough for your generosity with time and donations. Most of the "hands" were taken and some of the items have already come back. Thank you!
This week our fantastic flying journey took us to Africa. Since the students already "stamped out" their inquiry questions before our continent study, they knew exactly the information they were looking for. We learned Africa has large chunks of land in all four hemispheres. There are 54 different countries in Africa. So much learning! In fact, I was trying to chart their learning and I could not keep up with their research. Some students decided not to wait for me. They started adding facts about African animals and culture on post its and put it on our class chart. I love these researchers. When the students wrote in their passport books, the facts were as varied as their creative minds.
In addition to our reading and research, we watched some great videos on African animals and we learned an African game called Mancala. The students really had to think about strategy while playing the game. Mancala is a great two player thinking game that you can find at Target or click here for an Amazon link. Look at the concentration.
We are starting the year with an “Around the World” theme. We are reading a great book called The Fantastic Flying Journey by Gerald Durrell. As the characters in the story travel the world in a hot air
balloon, we will research the continents cited in their adventures (all seven, of course). Before getting stamps in our passports, we had to stamp out our inquiry ideas. As a class, we brainstormed questions to research about the continents. The students had awesome questions. They asked things like:
What land forms and landmarks are on the continent?
How many countries are in the continent?
What animal and plant life are on the continent?
What languages are spoken there?
We categorized their questions into location/size, attractions, plant and animal life, and culture. Our first continent was where our book characters began their journey: Europe. We read several different nonfiction books and articles on Europe. We charted the answers to our inquiry questions. Later, students used our notes to write their own facts about Europe.
We are also learning many important geography objectives. For instance, we learned about hemispheres. Further, we are constructing a map of the world. After studying each continent, the students will have to make a cut out of the continent for their map. However, they have to make their shape by ripping. NO SCISSORS! This was very challenging activity but it made the second and third graders really look in detail at the shape of Europe. Such concentration.
How I wish I could take the students on a balloon trip over Europe. The students really enjoyed this YouTube video of some spectacular sights. They also loved to look up and "visit" certain landmarks using Google Earth.
The students did notice that there are many castles across Europe. We had a castle STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) challenge. Here is what the students were challenged to do.
They worked hard in groups of three. Each group was able to complete a castle that met the requirements. It was interesting to see the varied ways students came up with for the moveable entrance. Each group had an opportunity to share their castles with the class. They shared what went well with their castle and one improvement they would make. Most students thought that more time to complete the challenge would have helped their designs!
Next we are off to Africa! Can't wait to continue our adventure! Stay tuned!
We are off and flying in second and third grade! What a great group of students, I am so lucky to be their teacher. We have 14 students returning (looping) with the combo. As Huey Lewis says, I'm so "happy to be stuck with you." We also have 5 new students to our combo. We added 2 new third graders and 3 second graders. The new students are not new to Eagle Cliffs so the children all knew each other very well. Our new students will be great additions to our classroom family.
We spent the first couple days getting reacquainted and learning more about each other. One of our activities was called a "Maze of New Friends." In this activity, students had to complete a maze. However, every path had a series of doors to "unlock." In order to unlock a door, the students had to find a friend that met a certain criteria. For example, you might have to find a friend that has a younger sibling or find a friend that swam in the ocean. The students were interviewing each other and learning all sorts of fun facts about their classmates. Of course, we also talked about using good eye contact, answering questions with complete sentences, and thanking each other for the information.
Did you know the average person eats over 100 bananas a year? Because the first few days of school the children seem to need extra snacks and because August 27th is National Banana Lovers Day (really, it is)...we had bananas. However, before they could eat them...they had to do some math! Students had to measure the weight in cubes using a balance and measure the length and circumference using a string and a ruler. Munch and learn.
One last opening week activity I want to share is called "Who is in My Circles?" For this getting to know us activity, students filled in a tiny center circle with some favorites; favorite subject, favorite book, favorite food, etc. Then each child left their paper on their desk. We all traveled around to each desk and put our names in the different concentric circles. If you also LOVED the same thing, you signed your name in the first surrounding circle. If you like the same, you sign in the next circle out. Finally, if it is not something you like, you sign in the outer most circle. The students made some great connections with the other children that they learned that were in their circles. This activity went home in your child's Wednesday envelope. Please look at their circles!
