War is coming!

Here are some examples of visual interpretations of the differences between the North and the South before the American Civil War.

Super Bugs!

We began working on our inquiry into structures that make us who we are today.  We began our inquiry into microorganisms by analyzing the impact superbugs are having on our world.  This inquiry lead us into a discussion of helpful and harmful microorganisms.  It was very interesting to listen to students talk about how disgusted they were with the thought of bacterial infections that can't be cured because they have become resistant to available medical treatment.  We also discussed how bacteria is helpful to our bodies and food supply.  Some students were surprised to learn how bacteria and mold are used in the treatment and prevention of illness and disease.  Great conversations and super excited students!  Have a wonderful night.

Perspectives

Today, we continued working on our line of inquiry experiences that shape perspectives.  Students were asked to create a plan for a building/business that is located on a river.  They had complete control over of the type of building.  After students finished drawing their plans, I asked them to list the types of pollution or environmental impact that can be caused by their business.  Many students struggled with this part because many of them tried to create 'green' businesses.  Tomorrow we will continue working on this project and students will see how their actions impact others locally and globally.

Our work on our second line of inquiry, conflicts that cause change, continued today as well.  During this inquiry students are analyzing the different perspectives of the North and the South prior to the American Civil War.  Students are beginning to see what types of conflicts existed between the two regions and how these conflicts could lead to change.  

Gardening at Night (or Morning)

We had another great day in Room 181 today!  Students spent time learning about the history of vegetation on Earth and had some experience with identifying different types of plants.  Here are some pictures!

Falling for You

Welcome back to Term 2.  We spent today working to kick off our new UOI - Who We Are.  Students were introduced to how perspectives and experiences impact our viewpoints on issues.  We spent time working to understand how people feel when their way of life is threatened.  Students were asked to write down the three most important things/people in their lives.  Students then had to work to describe what it would feel like if someone came and took those things/people away.  We were able to develop a very strong list of reactions ranging from riots and war to depression and fear. This will help us begin our discussions of the different perspectives of Northern citizens, Southern citizens, and slaves before, during, and after the American Civil War.

We also read the book The Seven Blind Mice by Ed Young (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3vMvfAdW88).  Students were asked to draw the images that the mice saw in their notebooks without seeing the illustrations.  This was a great way for students to begin to understand that it is essential to consider multiple perspectives when drawing a conclusion.

Don't forget we have our first Village Gathering on Friday at 8 am!  I look forward to seeing you there!  

No math homework tonight because we just started a new unit!

Testing, Testing, 1, 2, 3

Don't forget your science test on plant classification is tomorrow!  Your math test must also be completed by Friday.

Friday afternoon we will be using our knowledge of classification to create an organization structure for a special kind of nonliving thing.

Have a great night!

We have some more Guest Bloggers tomorrow!

Thursday Guest Blogger

Thanks Danny for another review of The Giver! I really enjoyed reading the predictions of what will happen now that we have finished the book!    

 The Giver
By Lois Lowry

 

In class, we are reading The Giver. The main character’s name is Jonas.  In the story, everybody at the age of 12 gets a job. Jonas got the job of Receiver, which receives the memories of the past and future. He is still in training and the last receiver, the Giver, is training him. Jonas has two best fiends Asher and Fiona. They have been Jonas’s friends for a long time. At the beginning of the story, Jonas was a nice principled sweet boy, who never really asked questions that much until the day of the 12’s ceremony. He was supposed to be pick number 19 and but they went from 18 to 20 everybody, including Jonas, was shocked. Jonas just sat through the whole entire ceremony wondering what happened or what he had done wrong. When the ceremony finally ended, Jonas got called up to the stage. The chief elder said,”Jonas you have been chosen for a very special job, you have been chosen for Receiver of Memories”.  Jonas stood there in shock. He couldn't believe what he heard. The next day was his first day of training. He had to go over the rules of being a receiver. Finally, Jonas had his first day of training. He walked into a building that he was assigned to go to. That's how he met the Giver. Something that surprised me was when I figured out how they release, how they do it is they get a needle fill it with some liquid and they give the person who is being released a shot that kills them. I am really enjoying that in every chapter there is something surprising and good. I wonder where they live and why is it so strict there. I think that Jonas is going to try to do something about the releasing.  I think that because he started crying when they showed him what releasing really is.  So that's what has been going on in The Giver.