Valentine's Day/1920s and 1930s Day

What a fun time we had on Valentine's Day!  We had many students join us in the fun of dressing up as a person or character from the 1920s or 1930s.  There were many Hobos, some flappers, Superman, and many others!  Thank you for sending in candy that was invented during this time period and allowing your child to participate in the dressing up.  We watched video clips of Shirley Temple, the Wizard of Oz, and heard part of the "War of the Worlds" broadcast from 1938.  Here are some pictures of those who dressed up!

Sorry it has been so long!

Congratulations! We have completed our first half of the school year.  I want to thank all of my students and parents for making it fantastic.  As we begin the second half of the year in 2012, I would like to reflect on what we have been learning in class. 

            In math we have learned a lot about fractions.  Students are able to simplify, add, subtract, and multiply fractions.  We have also learned a lot about changing fractions to decimals and percents.  These everyday skills will carry the students through out their life.

            We have completed our unit on Our Dynamic Earth including Earthquakes, Volcanoes, Weathering, and Erosion.  We are now going to be looking into what really makes up our Earth.  What Landforms are their and what is really deep down at the bottom of the oceans? 

            Happy New Year and I am looking forward to an AWESOME end of the year!

Science Update by Joey

In science class we have been studying about ecosystems. An ecosystem is a place where abiotic and biotic factors live. The two together make a habitat where lots of animals live. Abiotic factors are non-living and biotic factors are living. In an ecosystem the abiotic factors sometimes make a home or shelter for the biotic factors. Some types of ecosystems are wetlands such as marshes, bogs, and swamps. There are also forests and grasslands. You have two different types of water: you have fresh water like ponds and lakes and you have saltwater such as the ocean and salt water marshes. There are many more types of bodies of water but I can’t describe them all. Sometimes when an animal dies in an ecosystem it can cause all the living animals to die. Maybe if a rat dies something that is supposed to eat it might die and the thing that ate the other animal will die too and the whole food web is going to get destroyed. If that were to happen the whole ecosystem will get destroyed. That is why it is so important for an animal to stay alive for a long time. So the tiniest little change can cause a lot of damage in an ecosystem.

By: Joey

Field Trip to Congaree National Park 10/26/11

We had a great time on our field trip to Congaree National Park.  It was chilly in the morning walking among the dense trees, but it warmed up and we had beautiful weather!! Ranger William took us along the boardwalk and talked about different parts of the park.  We learned about many different organisms living in the floodplain, such as cypress trees and their roots called "knees."  We discovered a tree that had been struck by lightning, but is still living, and has become a home to bats and other small organisms. These are just a few things we saw along the 2 mile walk! We enjoyed treats from Avery and Bailey, and we thank our chaperones who drove to be with us at the Park.  What a successful field trip!

 

More Pioneer Pics!

Our prairie girls: Bethany and Bailey

The Cowboys

The Cowgirls Raven and Madi playing Fan Tan

Mitchell and Patrick playing Cattle Drive

Pioneer Day

Pioneer Day was held on our Collaborative Planning Day on Wednesday, October 5.  Students could dress up as a pioneer, cowboy/cowgirl, gold miner, Native American or Coolie.  We had so many creative outfits!  Students really had an awesome time traveling to each classroom to see the different things that were done in the Pioneer time period.  Students played bean bag toss and bean games while enjoying a fresh cow pattie (cookie), and they mined for gold down at Dry Gulch Springs with Mrs. Lowe.  From there, they traveled cross country to Mrs. Oldam's for chili and cornbread and to watch Little House on the Prairie.  In Mrs. Able's room, students played the Oregon Trail to see who survived the Westward traveling.  Finally, students made butter and ate with crackers while making log cabins out of Lincoln logs and made thermatraupes with Mrs. Jett.   Students had full bellies and an experience they will not forget!  Thank you to all of our parents that helped by sending in supplies, and thank you to Mrs. Blachura and Mrs. Wilson for spending your day with us!

Jello Cells!

Caroline, AJ, and Taylor

Taryn, Stephen, Blake, Alyssa, and Austin

Noah and Matthew