Inquiry Research Questions and Debates

Inquiry
We revisited our "What We Think We Know About Animals" mind map and confirmed that we began this Inquiry unit with a lot of correct assumptions and information. The children used evidence from their habitat research and other reading, classification and adaptation of animals sorting games, and learning trips to the aquarium and zoo to prove or disprove "facts" on their mind map.  At the end, there was still a heated debate going on about whether hippos can swim. The children decided more research was necessary! Be proud of your little scientists!

As we prepare to go on with our research, we created our "What We Want to Know About Animals" mind map.  Just thought I would share some of the questions that came from your amazing young scientists:

How much stuff can ants carry?
Why do some spiders eat their young or kill their dads?
How do snakes make venom?
How big is a full-grown sugar glider and how does it glide from tree to tree?
How far can red-eyed tree frogs jump?
How many fish can a bald eagle eat in one day?
How do archer fish shoot water to get their prey?
Why do happy face spiders smile?
How fast does a butterfly fly?
What lives in the deepest ocean trenches?

The children decided to work in their established groups to continue researching their habitats, while integrating these questions into their inquiry. Each group member will also choose a particular animal to investigate. Animal Inquiry Presentations will be in early December.  In the meantime, look for the Inquiry Research Sign-up sheet in the Thursday packet, today. I hope many of you will be able to come in and enjoy learning with the children.

Academy of Arts Visit and Art Activity
Everyone enjoyed our visit to the Academy of Arts to see animals depicted in art from around the world.  The children engaged the docent in a discussion of abstract vs realistic art while sitting in front of a lovely 1500 year old mosaic depicting many kinds of animals, which was found in a hunting lodge in Syria. They were fascinated by the Indonesian animal masks and surprised the docents with their knowledge of Ganesh, the Hindu god with an elephant head that the 2nd Graders learned about last year during our Geography Inquiry. Once again, the docents expressed surprise at the knowledgeable, inquiring minds of your children.

I'm sure you heard all about the oil pastel art experience the children had with the Academy of Arts Ambassador yesterday. Ms. Macia began by having them mix primary colors and taught them about value, tint, and shading.  They then used that experience and knowledge to create pictures of animals in their habitats. Some are abstract, some realistic, all are beautiful and the process left the children feeling like artists. In their comments for Ms. Marcia, they pointed out that this was a special activity because they learned a lot and it was fun to be creative. 

Posted on November 8, 2007 11:05 AM | Permalink