We couldn't be more proud of our second (almost third) graders... They were inspirational teachers tonight, transforming the thinking of our guests. In February, we were inspired by the school garden at Twin Oaks Elementary School. We began by studying the components of soil and figuring out what makes soil healthy. We conducted several soil experiments, and recorded our discoveries in our science notebooks. In addition, we began preparing the soil in our garden beds, and planted various fruits, vegetables, and flowers to eat and attract pollinators. After a general class study, students researched individual topics and wrote their findings into informational paragraphs. In science they learned about seeds and pollination, and created models to explain these natural processes. In the beginning of May, students completed their research and began applying their learning to help our community. They brainstormed and created small action groups to share their learning with our community. These are student-centered groups that include teaching our community about pollination, global warming and composting, producing and performing songs about creating a healthy earth, reusing containers for potting plants, and creating a hummingbird feeder. Please download your own copy of the student field guide.
Check out the Compost.com commercial.Photos from the exhibition, and the whole yearHere is a link to downloadable pictures from the school year, including the photos from this project that were highlighted during exhibition, and additional pictures from the exhibition itself.
Mr. Manger's Class 2017-2018 Ms. Kegley's Class 2017-2018
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Exhibition is June 6th, 5:45-6:30PM.Ms. Larsen's class released their butterflies into our garden...
HarvestingField Day 2018A thrilling moment...The Earth Brothers performed their debut song "Healthy Earth" with promise to produce and perform their first album at our Exhibition on June 6th. Here's a taste of their newly released song. Also, Mr. Manger got to meet the band back stage. A Reading OrchestraCelebrating our improved reading fluency. (Hint: you may need to turn up your volume to hear the student voices better.) Our GardenWe continue to meet new friends living in our garden. And we have begun to brainstorm small group projects to help our garden and spread the word to our community.
Thank you.Student Led Conferences were spectacular this year. We were in awe as we listened to your children share their learning, and observed how much they have grown this year. Thank you for your support at home, and participating in the conferences this past week. It was a celebration of learning, growth and life. Science.Pollination with Mrs. Lee and healthy plants in the garden...
Student Led Conferences... |
DecompositionPhotosynthesis | RecyclingPollination |
Our research has begun.
We are utilizing our writing workshop to teach research skills, and allow time for students to learn and write about their chosen topics. Researcher ask questions and find answers to their questions. Researchers read, then close their books and think, "What did I just learn?" Researchers use their own words to write ideas. Researchers share their ideas with their peers for review.
We're going to the garden, and I am going to ...
Scenes from a garden...
our garden! The next phase of our project includes maintaining and harvesting our garden. The arugula was out of control when we returned from spring break! It made for some bitter tasting, but lots of curious taste buds enjoyed it. And then Ms. Kegley's class treated us all to Strawberry Salsa utilizing the beautiful strawberries from the garden. What is a weed? We decided that it is anything that we didn't plant. Pull it, and get the roots!
We saw some evidence of animal life as well: a hatched caterpillar chrysalis, a humming bird, lots of bugs and snail holes of leaves. Our literacy focus will be to research the answers to our many wonderings about our garden. Stay tuned.
We saw some evidence of animal life as well: a hatched caterpillar chrysalis, a humming bird, lots of bugs and snail holes of leaves. Our literacy focus will be to research the answers to our many wonderings about our garden. Stay tuned.
We started Science with Mrs. Lee.
They started with discussing the different parts of a plant, and then a seed dissection.
Science Notebooks and Critique
Our students have been organizing their observations and growing ideas in their science notebooks. One day before break we took time to critique our garden observations with a co-created rubric.
Thanks to a few Home Depot coupons, we were able to purchase lots of garden soil and amendments, including worm castings (which amused every second grader). Our soil is now full of nutrients.
And thanks to the Wascher Family (Gunnar's mother and father, from kindergarten) we have received donated irrigation parts and help setting up our drip system. Awesome!
So, now it is time to plant! Mr. Manger's class planted on Friday, and Ms. Kegley's, and Ms. Fuentes' and Ms. Kayla's classes will plant early next week.
And thanks to the Wascher Family (Gunnar's mother and father, from kindergarten) we have received donated irrigation parts and help setting up our drip system. Awesome!
So, now it is time to plant! Mr. Manger's class planted on Friday, and Ms. Kegley's, and Ms. Fuentes' and Ms. Kayla's classes will plant early next week.
On Thursday, we added the new soil... | |
On Friday, we measured the garden beds and planted...
And then we set up the irrigation system...
The Garden Project Continues
Soil Labs (in the classroom): Students set up their first real experiment: Do you think different types of soil can affect how a seed and plant grow? We planted radish seeds in four pots with different soil types: clay, sand, garden soil (from our garden), and garden soil mix (from a store). We are watering equally, and will observe how the plants grow over the next few weeks.
Meanwhile, we started another experiment to study how much water is just right. Right now we have planted 7 pots of bean seeds, and will water equally until they sprout. Then each group will decide how much water should be used daily and will observe what happens.
Meanwhile, we started another experiment to study how much water is just right. Right now we have planted 7 pots of bean seeds, and will water equally until they sprout. Then each group will decide how much water should be used daily and will observe what happens.
Writing Workshop: Students continue to write in their science notebooks, keeping track of the soil labs and their predictions (or hypothesis).
Reading Workshop: Students are learning skills for reading nonfiction like researchers. Growing their ideas around gardening, soil and plants.
The Garden: The teachers have met with several experts over the last few weeks, and have created a plan for planting. Next week we hope to strengthen our soil, set up irrigation and plant our vegetables and companion flowers.
Reading Workshop: Students are learning skills for reading nonfiction like researchers. Growing their ideas around gardening, soil and plants.
The Garden: The teachers have met with several experts over the last few weeks, and have created a plan for planting. Next week we hope to strengthen our soil, set up irrigation and plant our vegetables and companion flowers.
Upcoming Dates
All School Exhibition: Wednesday, June 6th (5:45pm- 6:30pm)
Family Picnic:
Tuesday, June 12th
(5-6pm)
Last Day of School:
Friday, June 15th
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