Our school year is in full swing and we are all set for a successful year. All classes begin the day with a critical thinking challenge: LOGIC LINKS. Each student is presented with two to four puzzles to solve. No student has the same puzzle as another. Each Logic Links puzzle is compromised of a series of clues that instruct the student where to place the colored chip and solve the puzzle. It requires the students to think sideways, backwards, right to left and up and down as they read clues that lead them to the one and only correct answer.
Literature is another important part of our instruction. Elementary students are reading a novel titled "The Hunted: A Mystery in Glacier National Park" we read at least 1 chapter together each week with time embedded for discussions and journal reflections. Middle school students are reading nonfiction - short selections (mostly about travel, geography, or history). They will apply reading strategies to improve their comprehension, set a purpose for reading, determine the meaning of vocabulary in context, and generate questions, take notes, and summarize information from readings.
We've also come to the conclusion that our national parks are indeed one of America's best ideas! The students are learning about some of our amazing parks. We have already covered and learned about Haleakala National Park in Maui, Hawaii and will virtually travel to Acadia National Park next....and the adventure will continue. Using a source from National Geographic, the National Park Service website, as well as other educational videos and resources online, we will learn, explore, and experience these magnificent vistas. We will highlight honored landmarks, representative wildlife, fascinating histories, and future challenges.
Our theme this year is National Parks: The Mindset of an Explorer & Exploring the World Beyond our Window. Student exploration and dreaming of adventure will play a huge role in our classroom. We started with learning some basic facts and statistics about our national parks: 63 parks, 423 sites, 1,800 rangers, and so much more! We will learn from previous explorers, cartographers, scientists, National Park Service staff, and local experts to obtain the latest data and information about each park. Our studies will inform and encourage ourselves and others to visit and support the parks and inspire not only years of travel - but also an understanding of how precious the wild places of our planet are, and how deserving they are of our care in the coming decades. Each 6th-8th grade student will maintain and update a website to keep us all up to date on our studies, research, thoughts, and opinions. Check the "Meet the Explorers" page for more information.
One introductory art lesson included a quick study of artist Georgia O'Keeffe. First, we will read and learn about her life. Then, we will talk about, think about, and write about some of her famous artwork. Finally, we will try our hand at art. Each student will be given a chance to compose their own piece of artwork inspired by Georgia O'Keeffe. Check back at the end September for pictures of completed projects:) We will then move on to another artist continuing our art history and art appreciation studies.
Finally, we end our day with KEVA building challenges or GeoBee Challenges (geography games/kahoots). 3D visualization is an essential STEM skill and it is vital to many professions. Beyond architects and engineers, doctors must be able to understand the orientation of bone breaks from various two-dimensional x-ray views. Fashion designers, electronic game developers and landscapers are just a few more examples of professionals who rely on two-dimensional drawings. These KEVA brain building challenges will help to teach and strengthen student 3D visualization skills through technical drawings paired with precision-engineered KEVA planks. Whether they are following illustrated instructions to assemble a new toy or new furniture for a family room, we all need to be able to translate two-dimensional information into actual useful objects. Just as words are needed to tell a story and notes are needed to play a song, technical drawings are needed to show us how do build a particular thing. From a wishing well and sea turtle, to a canoe and even a suspension bridge, you will be amazed what the students' brains will build!
GeoBee Challenges using various geography games or National Geographic Kahoots will help students build confidence in their geography skills and we will cover topics like places, culture, landforms, and more through fun games to end our day:)
Literature is another important part of our instruction. Elementary students are reading a novel titled "The Hunted: A Mystery in Glacier National Park" we read at least 1 chapter together each week with time embedded for discussions and journal reflections. Middle school students are reading nonfiction - short selections (mostly about travel, geography, or history). They will apply reading strategies to improve their comprehension, set a purpose for reading, determine the meaning of vocabulary in context, and generate questions, take notes, and summarize information from readings.
We've also come to the conclusion that our national parks are indeed one of America's best ideas! The students are learning about some of our amazing parks. We have already covered and learned about Haleakala National Park in Maui, Hawaii and will virtually travel to Acadia National Park next....and the adventure will continue. Using a source from National Geographic, the National Park Service website, as well as other educational videos and resources online, we will learn, explore, and experience these magnificent vistas. We will highlight honored landmarks, representative wildlife, fascinating histories, and future challenges.
Our theme this year is National Parks: The Mindset of an Explorer & Exploring the World Beyond our Window. Student exploration and dreaming of adventure will play a huge role in our classroom. We started with learning some basic facts and statistics about our national parks: 63 parks, 423 sites, 1,800 rangers, and so much more! We will learn from previous explorers, cartographers, scientists, National Park Service staff, and local experts to obtain the latest data and information about each park. Our studies will inform and encourage ourselves and others to visit and support the parks and inspire not only years of travel - but also an understanding of how precious the wild places of our planet are, and how deserving they are of our care in the coming decades. Each 6th-8th grade student will maintain and update a website to keep us all up to date on our studies, research, thoughts, and opinions. Check the "Meet the Explorers" page for more information.
One introductory art lesson included a quick study of artist Georgia O'Keeffe. First, we will read and learn about her life. Then, we will talk about, think about, and write about some of her famous artwork. Finally, we will try our hand at art. Each student will be given a chance to compose their own piece of artwork inspired by Georgia O'Keeffe. Check back at the end September for pictures of completed projects:) We will then move on to another artist continuing our art history and art appreciation studies.
Finally, we end our day with KEVA building challenges or GeoBee Challenges (geography games/kahoots). 3D visualization is an essential STEM skill and it is vital to many professions. Beyond architects and engineers, doctors must be able to understand the orientation of bone breaks from various two-dimensional x-ray views. Fashion designers, electronic game developers and landscapers are just a few more examples of professionals who rely on two-dimensional drawings. These KEVA brain building challenges will help to teach and strengthen student 3D visualization skills through technical drawings paired with precision-engineered KEVA planks. Whether they are following illustrated instructions to assemble a new toy or new furniture for a family room, we all need to be able to translate two-dimensional information into actual useful objects. Just as words are needed to tell a story and notes are needed to play a song, technical drawings are needed to show us how do build a particular thing. From a wishing well and sea turtle, to a canoe and even a suspension bridge, you will be amazed what the students' brains will build!
GeoBee Challenges using various geography games or National Geographic Kahoots will help students build confidence in their geography skills and we will cover topics like places, culture, landforms, and more through fun games to end our day:)