World of Work

WHEW what a wild few days we've had! 

WoW was a great success; we got to experience, or glimpse, many areas of world that are available to us when we grow up. My favorite part was when we were listening to Ms Carter, who works with the theater department, saying that even in the theater they need artists for set, costumes, writers, light managers, sound managers, accountants. There is so much that goes on behind the scenes of any position, no matter our interests there is a door open for us all somewhere!! 

We also visited with a State Trooper who set up a crime scene for students to investigate. Allie dusted the "broken in" window for prints while Kaylee interviewed the witness, Emma, for details of what she saw. 

Robin Parady, a local hair stylist, came in and showed up her skills. She shared her favorite part of her job, coloring hair, and we actually talked in detail about braids. I NEVER would have guessed there were so many different braid styles! We also listened to Glenn Herrick, a news reporter and Jackson grandfather, share what it's like writing for the Penobscot Times. He shared how he gets information and the steps his work goes through before it's even published. Finally, we visited with the owner of Time Hortons. There is far more to owning a business than meets the eye. Just like in theater, it takes many hands to run a business and keep people happy! 

Thank you Mrs. Wilcox, Ms Roy and all the presenters who made this day possible!!

Exploring electricity

We've transitioned from magnets into learning about where our energy and electricity comes from. We started with The Magic School Bus and the Electric Field trip. It showed us where electricity is generated and that magnets actually help in the process! 

Yesterday we started talking about circuits. As a class we focused on our goal for the experiment: how can we light up the light bulb? I let students go with that goal in mind and using all the materials they needed to light the bulb. It was hard! But letting students try their ideas, even if they didn't work, was powerful! 

We circled up for a model of a complete circuit. We tracked the procedure as we went along using all the materials- 2 wires, a plastic base with metal clips, 1 battery and a small light bulb. I modeled unclear directions- put the wires on the battery for example, that wouldn't work. Once the bulb light, it clicked with all the students and they eagerly jumped back into their collaborative groups!! 

LEONARD'S MILLS TOMORROW

Please remember to send your child with supplies! 

We will be outside for the entire morning. Send them to school greased up with sun lotion, drop some bug spray (and maybe extra sun lotion in their backpack!!), a snack and lunch. With the humidity, the weather is all over the place so a rain jacket or hoodie and extra shoes wouldn't hurt either!! 

Please do not send phones or cameras unless you are chaperoning the trip!! I will be taking many photos of all the groups. If you would like me to email you copies I am more than happy to do so!

Author study: Lester Laminack

On Friday, we did our first read of Saturdays and Teacakes by Lester Laminack. We actually listened to Laminack himself read the story, linked here if you'd like to listen at home- Saturdays and Teacakes Read aloud!  Hearing the author read the story himself was a cool way to hear how the glider criiick-craaacked and Maamaw's southern twang. This is a very visual story, and Laminack's voice added much more detail!

We're using Saturdays and Teacakes to inspire our own creative juices to think back, not just on a special person, but a special memory! Students are practicing s-s-t-t-r-r-e-e-t-ching words to show how much effort something took. They're also using brand names to make their stories more real, so if they come home asking what car you rented on a family trip 3 years ago this is why! Asking questions is a huge part of the writing, and investigative, process.

More to come soon! 

Magnetic Hunt

Through our student of magnets, we've all learned that magnets all have 2 poles- north and south, that opposites attract and like poles repel. Kassiti was the most curious about what she felt when she tried putting magnets that "just won't go!" Every time I turned around she had a pair of magnets in her hand. 

Anyway, we've also been able to explore the force a magnet has even through other objects. Gabe "carried" a binder clip down the white board tray with a magnet wand beneath. Iron filings showed the group how some magnets have enough force to make a material jump through a space! When the filings respond to the magnetic force, they take on a spiky appearance. If you look closely at the plate in Allie's hand or the second picture, you should be able to see it!

April Students of the Month

Brendan and Justin are our examples of great friends to everyone for the month of April!

It has been a long month broken up by vacation and testing. In addition to being hard workers, they are also some of the first to support their friends.

They love to help in any way they can and make everyone feel like they have a friend.