Unit Reflections

Congratulations Students! We are arriving at the conclusion of our units on the Ocean and the Amazing Journey. You are finishing up your projects and preparing for you presentations in class.

1. What did you find most exciting about the unit you studied? 
2.  Do you think differently about any of the topics now than you did before the start of the unit?
3.  Is there anything you would like to change about class?
4.  What do you really enjoy?

Your classmates and myself are very interested to know.

Marine Biologists and Country X

For students in 1st-2nd grades (Marine Biologists)

Next week we will focus on completing your performance task. You learned all about what marine biologists do in their occupation.  Imagine if you were a marine biologist and had discovered a new ocean species. Be prepared to use this idea in class next week.


For students in 3rd-5th grades (Country X)

In class you got to start researching Country X. Next week we will complete our research and groups will present their findings. Be sure to bring in your projects. Late work will have points deducted.  Projects will be presented and displayed in class.

Arctic Ocean Webquest

Use your handout to write the answers to the Webquest questions. Do not type your responses here. Turn your paper into Ms. Burton.
                                   

Arctic Ocean Webquest

(For 1st-2nd grades, The Week of November 5-9, 2012)

Go to

Click here.

Play “My Ocean” to learn about food chains, ocean health, and conservation by adding organisms to different ocean ecosystems in this fun matching game.

List 3 facts you learned.

Then take the Arctic Adventure!

Click here.

Which animals call the Arctic Ocean home? Are they predator or prey? Explain.


BONUS: Check out the Magic School Bus in the Arctic!!!!
Click here.

Monument Research

Homework the week of October 29, 2012 (3rd-5th grades)

Class, this week you solved the mysterious case of the missing monuments. Congratulation! Next week we will fininsh up on your travel brochures that you started in the computer lab.

Homework Task - Students are to locate a monument in same state as their missing monument was located and compare/contrast it that one from the lesson. Students may present their findings in a poem, oral report or drawing, as well as the provided graphic organizer.

The case of the missing monuments included Grant’s Tomb, Fairmont Water Works, Signer’s Monument, and the Bunker Hill Monument.

Indian Ocean Webquest

Grades 1-2
Homework for the week of October 29-November 2, 2012

Open the Power Point presentation to go on a webquest designed to help you learn more about the Indian Ocean. Record your answers on the answer sheet you were given in class.

1. Can you name 5 of the living things in the Indian Ocean seen here?

2. Learn about the Dugong here. List 5 facts.

3. What similarities and differences are there between the Dugong and the Southern Elephant Seal found here?

4. Based on this website’s text, what can you conclude about the diet and eating habits of the turtles found in the Indian Ocean?

5. Whales call the Indian Ocean home. See if you can put the whale in this puzzle back together!

Student Choice Activities

Boys and girls how are your independent student choice assignments coming along? I cannot wait to see them!  Remember they are due October 19th. After testing, classes will start again the week of October 22nd. Be sure to bring your Challenge binder and everything you need for class.

Ocean Zones

Grades 1-2 , Week of 9/10/12

Your homework was to:

Choose one sea creature that is found in one of the ocean zones.  What would life be like for you in the ocean? When writing your response, refer to your Power Point information and your pages of animals that live in the various zones of the ocean. 

This week you learned all about the different zones of the ocean. You compared these zones to life at Ocean View Elementary. What zone of the ocean do you find most interesting and why?

Ocean Zones: Sunlit, Twilight, Dark (Midnight), Abyss, Hadal (Trenches)

Navajo Stories

3rd-5th Grades, Week of 9/10/12


(Members of the Navajo Nation.)

This week's homework assignment is as follows:

Imagine that you have surrendered to the American Calvary and walked 300 miles to a relocation facility. After four long years, you are finally able to return to your native land. Write a letter to future generations that acknowledges the atrocities that took place, yet encourages hope and strength. Your narrative should be typed if possible and should include a paragraph with:

1.  An Introduction that focuses on the Long Walk and tells who you are and where you are from.

2.  Describe based on the story you read and the movie you watched why you had to leave your 
     land.

3.  Write about 3 atrocities that you survived and 3 supporting details for each atrocity.

4.  Include an inspiration piece (For example, In spite of…we were able to…)

3rd grade writes about 1 atrocity with 3 supporting details. 4th grade writes about 2 atrocities with 3 supporting details each. 5th grade writes about 3 atrocities with 3 supporting details each.   USE YOUR STORY FROM CLASS FOR THIS ASSIGNMENT. YOUR NARRATIVE SHOULD BE BASED ON THE FACTS PRESENTED THERE AND FROM ANY ADDITIONAL RESEARCH YOU DO. THIS IS NOT AN OPINION PAPER. ALL STATEMENTS MUST BE SUPPORTED THROUGH THE TEXT. REFLECT BACK TO THE UNDERLINED SENTENCES YOU NOTED AS IMPORTANT, PROBLEMATIC, OR OUTRAGEOUS. YOU SHOULD USE UNIT VOCABULARY WHEN POSSIBLE.

Where Do We Go?

The week of 9/4/12, 3rd-5th grades

In this week’s lesson you were able to see how words and images can help you construct meaning from a text.

Your homework assignment is to complete the Turn of the Century 2-5-8 Choice Board where the activities they choose must total 10 points. Turn this in next week.

Post your response here to answer the following discussion question.
Discussion Question: Are you most likely to draw a picture, ask questions, make a prediction, or describe your feelings in response to things you see or hear? Please explain why you think this is so.

Where Does Water Come From?

The week of 9/4/12, 1st-2nd grades

This week you learned all about the water cycle and the importance of conserving water.

Your homework is to write a story about a water molecule that travels through the water cycle. Draw a picture or a diagram to go along with your story. Please use the rubric you were given to assist you. Turn this in next week. Turn this in next week.

Post your response here to answer the following discussion question.
Discussion Question: How can understanding the water cycle help us understand the importance of water conservation?

What's the Big Deal

3rd-5th Grade Homework for the week of 8/27/12


Homework Task: For homework , students will write, illustrate, or use technology to describe  events in history that have impacted them in a positive or negative way and tell why. The events can from U.S. or world history (3 events for 3^rd, 4 for 4^th, 5 for 5^th grades).


Discussion Question: What are you most excited to learn about history? Post your answer below.

The Earth's Spheres

1st -2nd Grade Homework (The week of 8/27/12):

Homework Task: As a human in the biosphere, share how you interact in another one of the earth’s spheres while you are on vacation. You may choose to write a story, illustrate a picture, or use technology to show your interaction.

For example: On a trip to the beach, you might swim in the ocean. You are then in the biosphere interacting with the hydrosphere of the ocean water.

 1.  Choose one of the spheres below and complete task. You will be graded with the rubric you  

       were given.

                                                       Geosphere       Atmosphere    Hydrosphere


Discussion Question: Which of the earth's spheres do you find most interesting? List 3 reasons to support you statement from the information you read in class on your fact sheets. Post your answer below.

Welcome to Challenge Class!

Congratulations students for completing two successful weeks of Challenge class! You're off to a fantastic start. During the last two weeks we learned about gifts and viewpoints. Please share what you found most exciting or what you learned. Before you post your comment be sure to read the directions at the top of this blog. Be sure to check the blog weekly to post responses to the discussion questions.

Transforming My Leadership Potential Compassion Project

Were you or someone you know caught using empathy? Can you think of a time when someone showed caring behaviors toward you when you really did not expect it? How did that make you feel? Do you think that showing empathy is contagious?

If you are in 4th or 5th grade remember that spaces are still available for the Leadership Lock-In. Take your registration packet to your home school or bring it to the Campbell Building that night. We look forward to having an educational, engaging and fun experience!