Prehistoric Times Inquiry Presentation

Inquiry
Your children have come up with some great ideas for their Inquiry Presentations. Many of them require a lot of thought, organization, and production. The only thing we need is an empty fish tank at least 16” x 12” x 8”. Please let me know if you have one we can borrow.

Your young scientists are busy organizing their research using a method called color-coding. With the Smart Board, I demonstrated how I would organize my research notes on the allosaurus according to categories of information. The categories included size, food, looks, and when it lived. Each category was assigned a different color. The children helped me decide on categories and colors, and they each had a copy of my notes, which they also color-coded. Using the Smart Board definitely enhances my teaching and your children’s learning!

The 2nd Grade Inquiry group leaders have also decided to type up the notes. They type each category of information in the color matching the color-coding. The final step will be to choose lines to be memorized or read at the presentations. I continue to be amazed by your children’s interest, knowledge, and ability to do such advanced work!

The Prehistoric Inquiry Presentations will be on Wednesday, November 29, from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. I hope most parents will be able to join us. Your children have worked very hard and have so much to share with you. Grandparents and other family members are also welcome!

Art
Be sure to have a look at Ms. Brook’s blog this week. She is featuring our class and their work with clay and plaster to produce fossils and Prehistoric Times clay pieces.

Ms. Brianne’s Lesson
Ms. Brianne, our OP student from UH, engaged the children in a fun lesson yesterday. She encouraged them to act out the Timeline of Life, and they enjoyed “evoluting” (evolving) from invertebrates to fish to amphibians to reptiles to mammals. The children followed the role-playing activity with the creation of beautiful, detailed drawings of each evolutionary age. In their reflection on Ms. Brianne's lesson, several children told her emphatically that she would be a great teacher. I agree! We are so fortunate to have her in our classroom.

Posted on November 9, 2006 3:25 PM | Permalink