A New Year, a New Adventure

A tube of toothpaste teaches a valuable lesson: once your words escape you can't take them back. 

Be careful! 

Yes, we really are in school! 

Leadership skills come in many forms. 

How do you have gym class with three students? 

You pack up, go the park and play Frisbee Golf.  

 This year in history, we are focusing on the Eastern hemisphere. Each study area has its own research computer. We then meet and discuss our answers and interesting facts we've learned. Each country is experienced through special activities: guests like Xin (above), preparing and dining on cultural foods and several hands-on activities. We will post throughout the year, so check back often......this isn't your everyday history course!

Learning how to sing Happy Birthday in Chinese is more difficult than you would imagine!

The first field trip of the year included a private tour of the Allen County Court House. I am not sure who had more fun, the Global Treehouse or our tour guide!  

After our tour we walked to Coney Island and had lunch. 

A fun day in the city. 

 

She gets it! Just as a photographer needs to focus on a point of interest, so does a writer.  

Language Arts challenges young writers to be precise and to the point.

Homework?! Yes, this weekend create a cell in the petri dish using household items to represent its different parts. The results were VERY interesting...

One of our Science books is called, Blood and Guts. A model of blood: corn syrup = plasma, 

red hots = red blood cells, marshmallows = white blood cells, sprinkles = platelets, 

smiles = learning.

Doctors call this "lub-dub". Did you know the sound your heart makes is actually 

the opening and closing of your valves?

No, we are not Romans lounging around....we spend time reading everyday. 

National "Talk Like a Pirate Day" complete with eye patches, 

a Brain Pop video on the history of Pirates and ARUGHHHH(s) all the way around!

Photography

One of the advantages of a small classroom is being able to offer individualized instruction. The four Wednesdays in May we were honored with the presence of Ryan Hodges (Photography). Students not only had fun, but also learned about the workings of cameras and composition.  

Learning about our cameras.

Exploring the great outdoors through a camera lens.

Specific answers to questions...

...and learning about angles.

It's quite fun taking pictures of people taking pictures...

What a wonderful opportunity to spend our final day in Ryan's studio. Here we applied what we learned: aperture,  f stops, etc. Check out Ryan's website: http://ryanhodgesphotography.com/

Don't forget to smile!

Mad Scientist Party

   My dear Einsteins, grab your glasses and let's get to work.......

Empty tea bags make great infernos. 

 Ah, yes, getting an egg into a jar isn't so difficult.... yeah right!

 Huh?! Check this out! Unbelievable.  Did it really pass through the narrow neck of the milk jar?

 Where's Newton now? Maybe he could explain this.  Until then, let's try bending molecules.

 Huff...

 Puff...

 Success!

It's official: Science is awesome... and a little bit messy!

 The shrill scream of metal against dry ice is barely audible over screams of delight...

 Let's add some warm water and take a closer look....

 Watch out! The liquid bubble is about to overtake us!!!

It's ok Mad Scientists, I have it under control!

Why have a Mad Scientist  Party? To celebrate getting through our Science curriculum for this school year!  Way to go! Are you ready for your final test over Mysteries and Marvels, Magnetism & Electricity, Light & Color, Alexander Graham Bell, Tops: Electricity, Astronomy and Space, and the Microscope? Did we give you a heart attack? No worries, there is no final test this year . . . maybe next year. 

Future Career Choices

When a student walks up to you and asks if she can organize adults to come in and share about their jobs, what is your answer? YES, YES, YES! Is there a better way for students to start thinking about the future and get ideas for what they might enjoy doing? Sure, students do not need to know exactly what kind of job they would like to have when they grow up, but this was an excellent way to be exposed to different possibilities. It also offered the students the chance to converse with adults and ask questions.

Thank you to these two (so far) adults who have taken time out of their busy schedules to come in and share. 

Typical School Day

Devotion

Spanish

Language Arts - taught on grade level

Seat Work - independent work (spelling, vocabulary, handwriting, etc.)

Math - taught on grade level

Seat Work - independent work (spelling, vocabulary, handwriting, etc.)

Lunch and Recess

History

Writing

Reading

Science

Extra - (gym, guitar, art, drama)

February and March Activities

Director: Global Treehouse. Lights, Camera, Action!

Soliloquies on Taxi Cab Driver

Science isn't boring when we try to figure out what it takes to make the bouncing ball.

And what other school offers the opportunity to study the planets and space 

and wrap it all up with astronaut ice cream?! YUM, Neapolitan.

  

Really? Snow in March? Well creativity comes in many forms: 

 "Peter Snowtail" our snow bunny

                                   "Yes, Miss Alex.  We DO remember the order of the planets...
                                       will there be more astronaut ice cream upon our return?"

                                  Classrooms and listening skills are never on the back burner.
                                  Instructions and the dissection of a shark at Science Central is
                                                       something we will never forget!

                                                        Taking and registering its weight,

                                                                    Opening its belly.

                                                          Everyone taking an active role....

                                             including Mr. Shark who poses for the camera!

Merry Christmas