11/30

SCIENCE:
Mia N. opened the class with a heartfelt prayer after chapel this morning. We spent a quick minute reminiscing about our Thanksgiving adventures and then dove into review the Hydrosphere (lesson 8). We sang our Water Cycle song and then rushed out to the playground to demonstrate the three phases using the slide. They stood on the ground (ocean), climbed up the stairs (evaportation leaving the salt and minerals behind), stood at the top (condensation) and then slid down the slide (precipitation). The students were particularly skilled at the "precipitation" phase. When we returned to the classroom we observed how the water cycle affects all living things by hypothesizing what would happen to a pinecone if it were placed in a highly humid environment (jar of water) and watching over the course of the day. The students found it fascinating that the scales, which started wide open, were closed. We made some observations about why a pinecone would be designed to behave in that fashion (to protect its seeds). Next, we labeled and colored our Hydrosphere worksheet together and watched a video (https://video.link/w/g8hNc) about the water cycle. If your students would like to further investigate the water cycle, a terrarium is a wonderful way to do so. Here is a simple guide using a mason jar: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.todaysparent.com/family/crafts/how-to-make-a-mason-jar-terrarium/amp/

GEOGRAPHY:

Mia led us in the flag salute and read a clue card that led us to Greenland! The students then used their maps once again to find the country of Belgium and I shared that good things come from small places. In this case the good thing was delicious chocolate! We each enjoyed a piece while we reviewed the famous landmarks located throughout Europe. Each table had about 6 landmarks to learn about. They each chose one to share with the class. We used this as a way to warm up for our country presentations next week. We read a quick book called "King Bidgood's in the Bathtub" and looked at a pop-up book of Rome to warm us up to European culture. Finally, we learned how to say "Cherrio" before playing a game of Landmark BINGO. This was such a fun way for the students to become familiar with famous landmarks from all over the world! We will use it again as we begin to master the landmarks of more continents. I cannot wait to see the students rise in confidence next week during their presentations!

IEW:

We took a moment at the beginning of class to get some perspective on what we are working toward. This week we will be completing the rough draft for Section III of Damocles. The following week I will return all three parts together with editing remarks so that the students can turn in a final draft the week before our Christmas break. If they did not complete Section II over the break, they can turn it in by next week to get the proofreading remarks for the final draft. We had fun reading the final section (climax and resolution) and creating our KWO today. We finished it off with the moral. Each student came up with their own and I heard some really profound lessons our dear Damocles learned. We reviewed how to create a title from our clincher (moral) and then spent some time brainstorming adjectives, verbs, and -ly words to add to our toolbelt for the rough draft this week. We finished the day off with our memory verse song of gratitude!

We missed you Jackson and Jett!