Awesome Alaska
Day #11: Students learned about Denali National Park, how oil effects the water and Marine Life when there is an oil spill, and what the current name is for Barrow, Alaska. Students also completed their research projects and helped to set up the classroom for Open House. See you all tonight between 5 and 7 pm. Ms. Schmidt
Day #10: Students worked on their research projects this morning, did the "Blubber Hand" experiment, and then we learned about volcanoes and earthquakes. Finally, we had read aloud time before students left for the day! Have a great evening and see you all tomorrow at Open House! Thank you!
Ms. Schmidt
Day #9: Today our Awesome Alaska class reviewed information about Polar Bears, learned about Humpback Whales, worked on their Research Projects, and listened to our read aloud called, "The Year of Miss Agnes." Students also drew and colored their own pictures of a Humpback Whale. Tomorrow we will focus on Volcanoes and Earthquakes and then keep working on our projects. Don't forget about Open House on Wednesday evening from 5-7 pm. ~ the "Strike it Rich" class will have a concession stand open for anyone that needs to have dinner!! If anyone has an extra shoe box we will put it to use, but we need it tomorrow. Thank you so much and have a wonderful evening!
Ms. Schmidt
Day #8: Today we finished our watercolor paintings of the Northern Lights; learned about Sled Dogs and the Iditarod Race; we also learned about Landforms, Glaciers, and Permafrost. We ate lunch outside and got to play on the playground for a few minutes. Then at 1:30 we have a virtual field trip with the Alaska Zoo. We learned about the zoo and the type of animals that they have there, as well as learning all about Polar Bears. Ask your child about "Cranbarry" the only Polar Bear at the Alaska Zoo! (Yes, I spelled her name correctly!) I hope everyone has a great weekend ~ only 4 days left!!
Take care,
Ms. Schmidt
Day #7: Today we worked on finishing up our past assignments and we also learned about the Northern Lights. Tomorrow we will finish our Northern Light's activities and I will post some pictures of the students working on them. Students also started to plan their final Research Project. Everyone has a topic and we have started our research, but today the students started planning how they will display their information/topic. Some students need to have a shoebox to create a diorama. If you have an extra one, please send it to Project SEEK tomorrow.
REMINDER: It is Extended Day tomorrow. Students will be at SEEK until 2:30 and everyone needs to have a lunch and beverage/water bottle, as well as, a morning snack. We will work on our Research Project, learn about Sled Dogs and the Iditarod Race, then we will learn about Landforms, Glaciers, and Permafrost. Students will have another virtual field trip ~ this time with the Alaska Zoo. Our topic will be "Polar Bears!" NO PROJECT SEEK ON FRIDAY!
Thank you,
Ms. Schmidt
Day #6 we learned about the Alaskan Weather and Climate, worked on completing our Alaskan Fact Flip Book, started our research projects, and listened to our read aloud, The Year of Miss Agnes! On Wednesday we will explore the "Northern LIghts," start a special project, and continue our research reports. The students are working very hard and doing a great job! I can't wait to see their final research projects!
Hello Families!
Today we reviewed all of the Alaskan Facts that we learned last week. Then students began to work on a Flip Book of these facts. After snack time today we had our Virtual Field Trip with the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward, Alaska. We learned about Marine Mammal Adaptations and the difference between a Stellar Sea Lion and a Harbor Seal. Students brought home a clay model of the Stellar Sea Lion. Ask your child what else they learned about Marine Mammal Adaptations. Tomorrow we will start our research projects and continue learning more about Alaska! Congratulations to Logan Thompson for receiving the most votes in our Alaskan Flag Contest ~ it was a close contest!!
Have a great evening and stay cool!
Ms. Schmidt
Hello Awesome Alaska Families!
Today we learned about the Biomes of the world. We discussed what Biomes are found in Alaska and what kind of plant/animal life is found there. Ask your child what an "Estuary" is.....do you know? Then we created a picture to represent "ourself" just like the characters in our read aloud, "The Year of Miss Agnes." We also voted on our favorite new Alaskan flag design and will reveal the winner of our contest on Monday. We will have our first virtual field trip on Monday with the Alaska SeaLife Center. Students will also be starting their research projects next week. REMINDER: Thursday the 23rd we have extended day until 2:30. Students need to bring a cold lunch that day and we will find a place outside to have a picnic. Thank you so much and have a great weekend!
Ms. Schmidt
Students from Awesome Alaska working on their Alaskan flag design!
Hello Awesome Alaska Families!
Today we learned some more facts about Benny Benson, the 13 year old Native Boy who designed the Alaskan Flag. Benny didn't have a family and lived in an orphanage. He entered this contest to design the Alaskan Flag and his design won with over 140 entrants. Ask you child "why" Benny included the colors and symbols that he did in his design. They all mean something.
Students then created their own Alaskan Flag design. We are having our own design contest. Tomorrow we will vote anonymously for the flag we like best. We also filled in some important landmarks, cities, and rivers on a map of Alaska and answered some more questions about the state. Hailey should be adding some pictures to this page of the students working on their flag designs. Tomorrow we will start to learn about the Biomes that are found in Alaska! Have a great evening!
Ms. Schmidt
Good Afternoon Families!
Day #2 of Awesome Alaska went well! We reviewed our learning from yesterday and added more facts about Alaska to our board. Then we learned a little bit about Alaska's economy, and finally students picked 4 of their favorite Alaska State Symbols and they drew and colored them. Their work is on display in our classroom. Tomorrow we will continue our study of Alaska by learning more about the flag and doing a special activity related to it. Students have also had some time to look through books and magazines to start thinking about "what" topic they will choose for their research project!! Students need to know by Monday so we can start planning and researching. Thank you and have a great evening!
Ms. Schmidt
Dear Students and Families,
WELCOME to Awesome Alaska! I am looking forward to exploring this beautiful state with all of you. My name is Kimberly Schmidt and I teach second grade at Hinckley Elementary School. This is the seventh summer that I have offered a class and taught with Project SEEK.
We will be learning about Alaska through fiction and nonfiction articles and stories, videos, research projects, art activities, virtual field trips, and more. Students will decide on one topic to research and then share with the class and also with families on Open House night. We will learn about animals, ecosystems, mountain ranges, ocean life, Northern Lights, culture, ecology, and much more. I look forward to seeing the students’ completed final projects!
Parents may need to supply a few items like a shoebox or other craft/recyclable type items for the student’s final project. We will be supplying the materials for the other special assignments that we are doing in class. Students will be expected to work independently and be self-motivated.
DATES TO REMEMBER: June 14-17; June 20-23 (Extended Day on June 23rd ~ 8:30-2:30); June 27-30 (Open House on June 29th from 5-7pm.) These are the dates for Project SEEK!
If you have any questions you can contact me at kschmidt@isd2165.org or call/text 651-792-6206.
Thank you so much and see you soon!
Ms. Schmidt
Awesome Alaska Teacher