Researching Prehistoric Times

Inquiry

The Inquiry groups have been very busy researching their questions about Prehistoric Invertebrates, Fossils, Dinosaur Nests, Water Dinosaurs, Evolution, and Flying Dinosaurs. Your young researchers have amazed me and the parents who have helped with their curiosity, sharing of resources and ideas, teamwork, and ability to take notes and keep a bibliography. Many of the parents have reflected on how much they have learned from our young scientists!

The research is finished, and, today, the children decided how to present their findings to you. This was a group decision, which involved discussion and reaching consensus, very important aspects of the Inquiry process. The Inquiry Presentations will likely be the week of November 13th to give us time to prepare. I will keep you posted on the exact date. I may need additional parent help and will send a sign-up sheet home soon.

Smart Board

The Smart Board has become an invaluable teaching tool in our classroom. I use it to download and present Power Point lessons and to demonstrate how to use the computer. We have watched fascinating DVDs about Evolution, the Timeline of Life, and Dinosaurs on it. At the beginning of our Inquiry research, I used the Smart Board to teach lessons on note-taking and keeping a bibliography. As the children and I become more familiar with the Smart Board, they will begin to use it for Inquiry presentations and interactive lessons. If you are in the classroom and would like to see how it works, just let me know.

Operation Christmas Child

Next Monday, I will be sending home information about Operation Christmas Child in the children’s Homework Folders. This program gives families the opportunity to contribute a shoebox of small gifts to a child in need. I will be needing volunteers to pick up the boxes from the classroom and deliver them to Central Union Church by November 20. Please, let me know if you can help.

Mahalos

So many wonderful parents and other family members have been in our classroom during the past two weeks to help with Inquiry, Halloween activities, and pumpkin carving. Others have donated pumpkins and Halloween decorations. A heartfelt thank you to the following parents and brothers: Andrea Antunes, Karen Brousseau, Kevin Costello, Paulina Cutter, Daniel and Desiree Eng, Natalie, Gavin and Garrick Hayashi, Ayumi Hayashi, Torry Montes, Leanne Kaichi, Diane Corn and George Kane, Jade Ching and David Nakashima, Billie Napoleon, and Miyoko Yoshida. You help create a learning environment that is exciting, fascinating, and fun! We appreciate you!

Be sure to have a look at the Photo Gallery! You will smile!!

Posted on November 2, 2006 4:30 PM | Permalink