Science Fair and Valentines

Dear Families,

Today I spoke with the class about the upcoming Science/Makers' Fair. The Fair is February 20. I handed out contracts for students to plan their projects. A copy of the contract is attached.

Here is a link to the handbook. We went over it in class. Kids who want to exhibit a project in the fair should sign up online  by February 14. FAQ- Some children have asked about working with friends. I have met with them about making sure each does their fair share of the work and told them to check in with you about it. If you approve, I will approve.

Next Friday we will have a Valentine's Party. If your child is bringing Valentines, the class policy is to bring one for each classmate. Jill Westfield has volunteered to organize food for the party. The party will be 2:00-3:00 Friday afternoon, Feb. `14.  Here is the ink to sign up for treats

Update on what’s happening in Bette’s Class

Dear Families,

Here’s an update on what’s happening in Bette’s Class:

This semester we have a student teacher from EMU her name is Keri Newton. Here is her introduction:

Dear Parents, 

  My name is Keri and I am looking forward to quality time in Bette’s classroom during the next few months of student teaching! I am studying elementary education at EMU with two minors - math and integrated science. I love nature, animals, and helping children learn. I enjoy problem-solving as well as supporting causes I feel passionate about. On the most basic level in any classroom, children need to feel safe and cared for in order to learn. This requirement is essential for students to be willing to participate fully, to feel comfortable when they are challenged or make a mistake, and to show vulnerability in front of their peers. I hope to be a positive addition to Bette’s classroom and to enhance your child’s learning. I look forward to meeting you in the coming months. I am excited to learn from Bette’s wealth of knowledge and from the wonderful staff in Ann Arbor Open School!

This week is Focus Studies so there are a few temporary schedule changes.

Winter has finally come. We do go outside, so please help your child come prepared!

Speaking of winter, we are studying weather. Currently we are looking at the tools we use to gather weather data. We will be learning about different types of clouds. Then we will learn about climates. We will look at climate change with a focus on solutions- so if you come across any stories about efforts being made to mitigate, send them on.

In math, we are working on fractions: 3^rd grade- equivalent fractions and comparing fractions by finding a common denominator, using familiar denominators like halves, fourths and eighths, thirds, etc. 4^th grade- finding common denominator, mixed fraction and improper fractions. That’s not all- but it gives you a glimpse.

We just finished the read aloud of the novel “The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.” The class loved it. We are watching the BBC version from Wonderworks, published as a series of episodes in 1988. Lots of kids have said they already watched the 2005 version.

Girls on the Run will be starting soon for girls in grades 3,4 and 5.  It's a great program focused on exercise and healthy living.  We were asked if we could spread the word and to let people know that there are scholarships- GOTR is open to all girls in these grades.  They would love lots of participation and hope that people can participate without money being an obstacle. reach out to Jamie Jackson, email jamie@girlsontherunsemi.org or 734-712-5640

Upcoming Field Trips, Special Workshops, Events, and Assemblies

Wednesday, 2/5: Global Play Day

https://www.globalschoolplayday.com

Our school has participated for the last three or four years. The students love it. NO SCREENS - NO STRUCTURE - ALL DAY LONG

Students can spread their toys out around the room or we can take the kids outside and just PLAY! Check out Peter's Ted Talk: Peter Gray’s TEDx video

Wednesday, 2/5: Ecology Center Workshop - Time for Waste (So, we are breaking from play for this hour long workshop). This simulated archeological dig allows students to compare the nature of waste from Native Americans to present day and critically examine how waste is related to culture.

2/10: Survival Swim, Note from Anne:

-Please let parents know their child should bring clothing to jump in the pool with, and clothing to wear for the day. They will wear a swimsuit under their jumping in clothes. They should also have a bag big enough to accommodate wet clothes. The purpose is to teach them the skills of survival if they ever end up in the water in their clothes. All will be done within the comfort level of the child. Our purpose is not to scare them. We've done this several times and kids are usually nervous before, but love it after. I can also use parent volunteers to get into the water with the kids.

2/21: UMS Dorrance Dance Field Trip - https://ums.org/performance/dorrance-dance-2020/ I'm excited about this field trip. It's tap dancing combined with history and culture. UMS chaperone tickets are tricky. I'll announce how many we have when I know for sure. Also, we have a Dorrance Dance pre and post workshop on 2/18 and 3/3! These are held in the classroom.

3/6 Wild Swan Theater Field Trip: 

Coding to the Moon: Margaret Hamilton and the Apollo Missions

A gripping drama of the Apollo space missions. This production celebrates the life and work of mathematician and computer scientist Margaret Hamilton whose brilliant work as a young scientist broke new ground as she led the team that navigated the Apollo missions to the moon.

Wednesday, 3/11: Assembly- Jonathan Rand, Author of American Chillers

- https://www.americanchillers.com

Tuesday, 4/21: Rural Education Days

- Ann Arbor Open has gone on this field trip for the last 20 years. Hands on way to learn about the agriculture economy of our state. Chaperones welcome!

I have contacted Camp Talahi. They are available in May.

Possible dates (Wed-Fri.) May 6-8, 13-15, 27-29. Check these out and let me know if you see any conflicts for your family. Earlier is milder weather (maybe) fewer bugs, later is warmer weather, nearer the end of school flurry!

Tuesday, June 9: Rolling Hills Water Park

I’d better send this before I think of more to say!!

Fiji Update

Bula!

Here is an update on our projects for the Multicultural Festival:

Please refer to the last note for lots of info on our plans. Don’t forget it’s posted on the blog as well.

All the kids have told me what their “at home I-Search project” topic is. Some students have not turned in their contracts. Check in with your child for me. It really is helpful to have those. The kids who haven’t turned them in yet all said they know where the contract is and they would bring it in on Monday. I’ll shoot you an individual email if it’s not in by Tuesday.

A past student, Caroline Hurd, will be stopping in Tuesday to talk about her work with sea turtles and migration.

Harper and his mom are working on a coral reef project that will offer opportunities for each student to contribute. Thanks, Amber! We’d love it if we could also have help with a waterfall. Jill shared a great video on coral reefs that we will watch. Several others have offered to come in and help.

I have identified times over the next week and a half when parents can come in to assist. If you have a project you are helping us with, or just want to help where needed, you are welcome. It is helpful if you let us know.

10 Tuesday 8:30-10:45

11 Wednesday 9:30-11; 1:30-3

12 Thursday is pretty open. We have Spanish 10:00-10:40 and lunch 12:45-1:30. Check in with Rick.

13 Friday

17 Tuesday 8:30-10:45

18 Wednesday 9:30-11; 1:30-3

19 Thursday TBD

20 Friday 9:15-11or 1:30-3:00- will need help preparing the room for Winter Break.

I try to create a structure that helps us have a direction, but is still flexible enough for creativity to evolve. The projects and outcome will unfold as we work.

I created small groups to cover various topics during the school day. They will meet tomorrow to brainstorm and plan.

Friday we started a list of possible materials we would need:

Newspaper, Brown paper bags, red and white tissue paper, pip cleaners, modeling clay, boxes for making dioramic models. We’ll keep you posted as we think of more.

Does anyone shop at any of the international markets in town? I wonder if we could get hold of some cassava root?

Fiji ideas

Bula!

I am sharing with you some of the ideas the kids have for room projects for our festival display to show what we've learned.

I know some of you want to be involved. We are looking for any of you that want to take on any of these projects. We are also hoping to gather materials for making things. Some kids are making their own for I-Search at home, that's ok. They will go on display. I hope people aren't too confused by that.

Class ideas for the room (kids will participate with adult support):

Waterfall/river

Coral Reef

Model of tourist district and a model of a village

Example of a village house (maybe big enough to get in and show models of food).

I am also interested in coming up with small items to make so each child gets to participate. Some ideas are paper mache: animals, (Fish,bats, iguanas, sea turtles, food...)

Tissue paper flowers

We will also be making posters with information and maps.

Palm Trees, Banana trees

Here are links to some videos Rick and I looked at to get ideas

Waterfalls

Video- idea for making coral reef

Palm tree idea

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Polynesian ship

 

 National flower- 

Masi bark cloth

OK, I LOVE brainstorming! We probably won't do all of these, and we might come up with something better as we go.

For those of you who are creative and want to be a part of it, let us know if any of these ideas inspire you!!

If you can't come in to participate in the projects, watch for list of materials we may need. We would like to stick to recycleable stuff, that we can recycle when we tear it all down.

By next week I will have a list of some best times to work on projects. stay tuned!!

Fiji Questions

I am sharing the questions the kids generated about Fiji yesterday. I think they show that, even though they are excited about model making, they are also thinking about many aspects of the Fijian culture. We have been researching and sharing our ideas the last couple of days. I want the kids to stick with my resource list. It's pretty extensive. They all know how to access it by googling "bette's class notes" and going to my blog. The link is on the right hand side under "Links". Feel free to peruse.

How can we understand life on the islands of Fiji?

-History

            How did Fiji become a nation?

            How did cannibalism start? How long did they practice cannibalism?

            What is the history of Fiji islands?

            Was Fiji part of WWI or WWII?

            When was Fiji “discovered”?

            When were the first people on the island?

            When did Fiji get its name?

            Why did the English take over Fiji?

            When did England take over Fiji?

            What weapons did they use and where did they get them?

           

Geography- Maps,

                        Where are all the islands?

                        What continent owns Fiji?

            Population

                        How many people live on Fiji?

            Environment

                        Are any of their plants or animals dangerous?

                        Plants

                                    Do they use plants for medicine?

                                    What plants are poisonous?

                        Animals

                                    What type of birds live on the island?

                                                Do parrots live in Fiji?

                                    What types of fish are there?

                                    What do dolphins eat?

                                    What is the most common animal in Fiji?

                                    What is the rarest predator?

                                    How close to shore do sharks get?

                        Climate

                                    What is the climate of Fiji?

                        Ecosystems

                                    How many different ecosystems are there?

            Where are the scouts’ bases located in Fiji?

            Precisely how many islands are there?

           

Government

           

            Does Fiji have a president?

            How many times did Fiji change its flag?

Economy

            What kind of money do they have?

            What is the best way to make money?

            Does Fiji water have anything to do with Fiji?

Living

            What is the most common job?

            How do they survive in the winter? (see climate)

            Food

                        Do people ship food or do Fijians make it?

                        How many sources for food do they have on the island?

            Shelter

            Do they make their clothes?

            Language

                        What language?

                        What are the folktales based off of Fiji?

            Religion

            Art

FIJI

Dear Families,

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving Break! I had a good time hanging out with my kids and their families.

I’ve been pondering a lot about our study of Fiji for the multicultural festival and I want to bring you up to date on my thoughts.

I approach Multicultural Festival from several directions. The kids are very excited and some of them take off from the start. Some of my planning is built around their ideas and interests. I also strive to round out our studies so they have more depth. Frankly, I didn’t know much about Fiji, but I love researching and I’ve learned quite a lot in the last week.

Friday, I sent home blank I-Search contracts for Fiji projects. I usually have the kids fill them out at school with my guidance, but it seemed like our time was short, so I decided to send them out. The plan is for every child to be able to choose the topic they are most interested in for a personal project. It doesn’t matter if other kids choose the same topic. As some of you have observed, choosing a topic that really interests you is great motivator.

We will round it out in class as we form groups around more global concepts and the kids work in small groups to research and create ways to present what they learn. These groups will cover geography, history, government, economy and living, ie., food, language, shelter religion and rites.

Tuesday we will start with generating questions. An overall question is “How can we understand life on the islands of Fiji?” I look forward to hearing what the questions are for the class. The questions will guide our research. Meanwhile, I will be presenting information as a foundation to build our knowledge from. I will also be generating vocabulary words that will help deepen the kid’s understanding.

I always get wrapped up in too many ideas. Over the years I have learned to provide support while allowing the kids ideas to guide the outcome.

So, this week will focus on laying out our inquiry. Next week we will work on projects. I am working on a list of possible ideas and projects. Some kids take off and some benefit from a pre-organized project to help them get started so they can have a hand in the creating.

In my next edition (wink, wink) I will have an idea of the kind of projects we will work on and offer a schedule when it would be best for parents to come in to help.  As you might guess, I’m open to your ideas as well.

More to come,

Bette

Bette' Class Chooses Fiji

        Today Bette’s Class chose Fiji as our culture to study and teach about for this year’s All School Multicultural Festival. We worked together to make this decision. It was a dynamic process, and a lot of fun! I want to share the process with you.

            First, we talked about what “culture” means and the answers were mostly on target: how people live, their food, government, history, traditions, etc. We also discussed choosing a general topic, such as climate change or ocean plastic, which are topics some of our students are interested in.

            Next, we passed out the Atlases and kids worked in pairs to peruse the world! They wrote down places of interest. Each pair narrowed it down to 5 and we wrote them on a big piece of paper. As a group, we looked for doubles and also removed any that were already selected by other classes. People got a chance to speak to some of the ideas they liked and give reasons.

            Time to use the dots.

      We removed any that obviously did not have enough interest.

Then it was time to go to lunch.

While the class was at lunch, I made a fresh sheet with the finalists.

Once again, we took turns sharing our thoughts.

Another round of dots.

It was narrowed down to 2 choices: Fiji and Amazon Rainforest.

We voted, and Fiji won.

What a surprise! We’re all very excited. I am working on a google doc with vetted resources. I will share with you and you can add anything you may find. Please let us know if you have and knowledge, experience or resources for learning about Fiji.

            Our multicultural festival is an exciting, community building experience. I will create a curriculum with the kids to learn about what makes the people of Fiji special- How they are different and how we are all the same.