We've all gone a little Batty!

It has been difficult to squeeze in as much science as I would like, so I decided to dedicate a whole day to science once or twice a month.  This month we are focusing on life science, with our studies of bats, owls and other nocturnal creatures and their unique adaptations.  We are honing in on characteristics, life cycles, and adaptations to help us understand how species survive.  Bat Day happened last Thursday to everyone's great enjoyment!  Some of our activities included:
* naming characteristics of mammals and sorting mammals vs. non-mammals on a big chart, using pictures cut from National Geographic (this was FUN!)
* a PE game using "echolocation" that helped us compare how humans and bats navigate (I blindfolded a "bat" while he/she called out to the "moths" and "trees."  The moths tried to escape while the trees kept everyone in the circle!)
* an experiment during which bat "mommies" used scent, a secret code, and position to locate her "pup" in the nursery
* bat art using handprints and paint
* bat reading and fact collection/class discussion

We still have a few experiments to conduct to help us really get the knack of echolocation and how sound waves form.

Next Thursday biologist Kellen Watson from Klamath Outdoor Science School joins us to learn about owls and help us dissect owl pellets!

Warm/Cool Colors

Had a quick and dandy lesson on warm and cool colors one Friday.  The kids came up with these results: stunning!!

Pumpkin Cinquain

As part of our focus on poetry last week, we each wrote a cinquain, a five line poem describing an item (in this case a pumpkin!).  We also practiced contour shading by drawing and coloring a pumpkin.  We're hoping to get out to the pumpkin patch next week!

Math Workplaces

One part of our math program is called Workplaces.  Workplaces are similar to centers, with students getting time for independent practice on math concepts.  We are on our third set of workplaces; each set includes eight games or activities for practice.  For example, right now kids can play "Hour or Bust," "Count and Compare 2s," or "Race You to $.50."  Please visit sometime when we are doing workplaces--it may look like controlled chaos, but there is a TON of learning happening.  The kiddos are responsible for planning which workplaces to visit each day, marking their progress on a planning worksheet, turning in the appropriate worksheets, and cleaning/caring for each workplace.

Fall Storytelling

The kiddos and I were in for a treat when Ralph Watah came by for some storytelling.  Mr. Watah is a Paiute Native person who tells stories from all over North America.  He works for the Klamath County School District helping kids stay on track and out of trouble.  We heard "How the Chipmunk Got His Stripes;" "How Four Dogs Saved Their Master;" and "How Turtle Beat Eagle."  Later we wrote thank-you letters and illustrated our favorite stories.  Please ask your child to retell their favorite story!

Some more fabulous art

Last week we studied Piet Mondrian.  We noticed how his painting style evolved from impressionism to a very pure form of cubism.  He used only the primary colors: blue, red, and yellow.  We practiced using our rulers and painting very carefully.  We made a variety of rectangles and squares only!

Abstract with brilliants and Sharpie on white construction paper.

We also spent a session learning about mosaic.  To practice, we made a template from our initials.  Using two colors, we cut a variety of geometric shapes and laid them carefully within our template.  This was a fabulous lesson in visual planning and learning that balance between cutting too small, or too large.  The results, as is typical with this amazing class, were stunning!

Art Fridays

The kiddos are really honing in on our weekly art history, criticism, and creation lessons.  In addition to any small art projects they do during the week, I teach an art lesson on Friday afternoons.  I tell the kids there are many things you do with art: you look at it, you decide if you like it or not (and why), you notice what is unusual or special about it, and (of course) you make it!  We usually look at examples of art and portraits of the artists themselves, and spend time discussing what we notice or like about each piece. 

Why do we spend time on art?  
* improve fine motor skills 
* improve visual-spatial skills
* gain appreciation for diverse styles and cultures
* learn more about what appeals to us
* gain experience in many different mediums 
* express our feelings or creativity
* make predictions and test them out
* for fun/stress relief
* learn about history

The students' work has been fantastic! 

Week 1: Wassily Kandinsky, abstract, oil pastels on black construction paper

Week 2: Vincent van Gogh & Frida Kahlo, self-portraits in crayon