Tuesday, March 24, 2015
Saturday, March 14, 2015
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
Science, Art and a Curious Squirrel
Much of this year, we have been using science experiments as a hands-on activity. Something we learn from, indeed, but more of a "brain rest" in our busy day. This time we took notes, made predictions and answered questions. Did we say "brain rest"? Learning can be fun!
Coming Soon: Introduction to the Scientific Method!
Check it out! Amazing!
Field Trip to the Library for "Science Explorers: Rings, Wings and Other Flying Things " program.
The best part about this age is most kids don't worry about what other kids think.
Most don't worry about making a mistake or trying new things.
Most fearlessly talk to the other kids at their table and quickly make new friends.
When we began studying seeds and plants we "planted" kidney beans to see the process ourselves. How quickly these little seeds sprouted shoots and roots! Watching them continue to grow will keep what we've learned in the forefront of our mind as we begin our study on the human body.
Sprouting...
Growing...
Finally! This student has been anxiously waiting 7 months to begin studying the human body.
Is it too early start learning about the Circulatory System in first grade? Nope!
Lung Capacity Experiment:
How much air do 6 year old lungs hold?
The empty space in the bottle!
If you know where you are going academically, you can look at the teaching process differently. I did this experiment with 5th-7th grade students last year with a gallon jug. The difference? First graders don't calculate the actual amount of air their lungs hold –- that’s it. They learn visually.
This is one reason why I trust the curriculum I choose. It exposes students to new concepts and adds onto these concepts year after year as students mature and their ability to understand at a deeper level increases. This means we don’t have to worry about students "getting it” right off the bat. We want initial understanding and curiosity, but the stress and pressure to master and memorize facts isn't there, which leaves room for enjoyment and the freedom to learn confidently.
How do we at GTH survive the winter blues?
We turn up the heat, wear leis, turn on tropical music and have a fruity drink out of a colorful cup!
An afternoon spent at the Fort Wayne Museum of Art - a study in contrasts.
Add technology to an art museum and you have happy middle schoolers.
Hunt Slonem: Magnificent Menagerie
"...Hunt Slonem focuses on the innocence and beauty of the natural world: the birds and the bees, the bunnies and the butterflies, all populating the layered canvases that reference an abstract menagerie of the mind"
Art Class - who knows, maybe someday you will see our art on the walls of a museum!
"Every child is an artist.
The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up."
- Pablo Picasso
I'm convinced that there is no better way to have a class pet, than to have one who visits your window daily. This gives students the opportunity to observe and enjoy wildlife without giving the teacher more work and the classroom a foul smell!
In my book, that's a major Win-Win!!!
Not sure who is more curious about whom!
Monday, December 22, 2014
Merry Christmas!
After the games, the stories and studies on how other countries celebrate Christmas,
we ended with the perfect art project....the true reason for the season - the reason we celebrate.
Merry Christmas!!!
We took a break from our typical history studies for this fun Christmas history unit:
Christmas Around the World Scrapbook.
A great unit study available from:
¡Feliz Navidad!
Our first passport stamp was in Mexico where we learned
about Las Posadas and the Legend of the Poinsettia.
Happy Christmas! We also "traveled" to England where we learned all about English Christmas traditions with fun, brightly covered tubes called Crackers. Each student holds an end, pulls, and a loud CRACK sound is heard. Inside each Cracker is a paper crown, a small toy, and a "pun" joke.
Q : What was Jack Frost's favorite class?
A: Snow and tell!
God Jul! The Swedes celebrate St. Lucia day on December 13th, in honor of St. Lucia who wore a crown of candles on her head at night and took food to the persecuted Christians who were in hiding.
Today the oldest daughter of each family wakes up early, wears a
crown of candles, and serves her family breakfast in bed.
Thanks to a certain mom for providing this scrumptious snack!!!
Students were introduced to power point during this study and learned how to pay attention to new information and fill in blanks in their scrapbooks while being taught. Students "visited" 7 countries, learned all about famous monuments, read books, drew pictures, and sang Christmas carols. At Global Treehouse one of our goals is to develop the "whole"child by teaching appreciation for other cultures, beliefs and traditions. Christmas Around the World was a great start for these first graders.
Inquisitive kids want to know all about microscopes!
Who knows, maybe one of these two will discover a cure for cancer.
You never know, but if the resource is available, learning will happen!
Grinch Day!
"Maybe Christmas doesn't come from a store," he said,
"maybe Christmas perhaps, means a little bit more."
Borax + green glitter glue + water =
Grinch Grime: instant science experiment.
We do sit still. We do study. We do things that we might not like so much. We do grow. We do learn.
When it comes to a friend: age, height, maturity and sidewalk space doesn't really matter.
Kids are sometimes the best teachers.
Thursday, November 27, 2014
Monday, November 17, 2014
Autumn Adventures
Last year the middle school students learned about their world through Sonlight's Eastern Hemisphere, but finding an interesting curriculum for younger grade levels posed a problem. Until, that is, we discovered History Pockets. Sometimes teaching "facts" day after day is just too boring! We changed to a curriculum that gives students the same learning opportunities as the original curriculum, but with a hands on approach. Teaching time takes twenty minutes, and coloring and crafts takes much longer, but when you double this class with the reading of a Magic Tree House book related to your pocket, you have a couple of VERY happy students. Best part of all? After each book study, students have a finished project with everything they've learned.
We just finished our Ancient China study. This was one of my favorite pockets, especially when it gave a student an opportunity to lead. She was very happy to be "teacher" for History this day.
Teaching us how to count to ten in Mandarin.
Serving Jasmine Tea
Now why is it they listen closer, give their full attention, and enjoy class so much more when they teach themselves?! Hmmm....maybe I should give them leadership opportunity more often?
Real life experiences. Real tea parties. Real China.
Working on contractions at Global Treehouse combines visual learning with the rules of spelling!
Not to forget Science! Yes, we study science in first grade; doesn't everyone? What better way to make the study of deserts come alive than a field trip to the Botanical Gardens?
Learning happens even during recess!
Science was taught and the students had questions to answer. The life skill here is the ability to go back and review the lesson and find the answers to those tough questions.
Our Halloween Treat!
Ghost Bananas and Clementine Pumpkins!
Art Class: Crayon Resists Spider Webs
We were too busy creating spiders out of random art supplies to get pictures of the finished product. Too bad, because their creativity and imagination created fantastic spiders.
A game of math facts was a welcome break from the book!
Knowing this is a "standard fall picture" doesn't take anything away from the joy these children experience on a warm autumn day between the concentration and the challenges they must overcome in class. (If you haven't taken one of these pictures for awhile, don't miss your opportunity!)
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