Life Cycle Dioramas

We have been working so hard on the research of our Maine animal Life Cycle! The students started their research in the lab. Mrs. Mayer joined us to model good research habits and showed us that it is necessary to use multiple resources in order to gather all information! It's also important to remember that not all information will stare us in the face, some hides and we have to make connections with what we've already read and already know. 

Our next steps involved a variety of books from our own library to get our research started. Students worked in groups and shared information back and forth. I particularly loved the way Mackenzie and Kylee broke up the workload. Mackenzie focused on diet and habitat while Kylee worked on appearance and life cycle facts.  

Old Town Tour 2015

Old Town/Orono Rec Center hosted us for lunch! It was a nice break, but we also got to hear about all the activities the Rec Center offers for sports and after school activities! Coach McPhee  recognized so many of our students, hopefully he'll see some new faces soon as many students brought home the activity packet!

Our final stop was to Old Town City Hall! Mr. Roy showed us around the building and shared with the students all the business parents do with City Hall- registering cars and pets or hunting and building permits to name a few! 

We were able to upstairs and meet the City Manager! Like Dr. Tuell, he wears many hats and meets the needs of so many people. We wrapped up our visit with a mock council meeting. Students determined the needs vs. wants of the city in order to meet the budget requirements and the council members voted on what to pass and what to veto. 

Scholastic Reading Club

We're two book orders in so far for the year! 

I wanted to let you all know about advantages of using our online Classroom Club to place orders! Not only is payment easier- no sending money in with the potential to get lost in a backpack, you're able to pay directly online. I have also created a list of book recommendations of value packs and books that have caught the student's attention in the classroom and are also appropriate for our grade!  

Finally, there is much more variety in books available for purchase. For example, many of our class read aloud are available online, where not necessarily in the flyers. Gabe and his mom happened to be reading Because of Winn Dixie at home as we read it in school and he had so much fun having a sneak peek at the adventures! It would be a great way to stay in touch with our classroom with your student!

Miss Farrell's Classroom Club

If you do check out the Classroom Club and connect to our class with our code: N9XLX, stop by our Class Wish list! 

Happy reading!! 

Old Town Tour 2015

We have an amazing time on our tour of Old Town! There is so much history in the town that is so easy to just go through without realizing it. In the library alone, learning about Andrew Carnegie from Mr. and Mrs. Lucas and his contribution to, not only, our town but libraries around the state and nation. 

The culture and history of the Penobscot Nation Museum captured all of our attention. We heard Mr. Neptune play from a beautiful hand carved pine and walnut flute. He spoke beautifully about not being able to write music, but to play what made him happy and brought happiness. 

At Old Town's Forestry Department we saw and got to ask questions about the kinds of tools necessary in order to keep our forests safe and what's used to find people who get lost! 

This year we got to see their Crisis Response RV and get behind the wheel. 

They had amazing technology on board that only helps
them communicate with their team faster!

Inside the hanger we saw where rescue helicopters and planes are repaired. We got to see the tools they use to rescue people and that are used for dropping large amounts of water on forest fires! 

Check back for more pictures later this weekend! :)