It’s Beginning to Look Like the Holidays…..

Thank you to everyone who helped set up and decorate the tree in our classroom! It looks lovely with all of the great ornaments you made all over it! So far, we have made yarn stars, mini trees, and paper flower loops. What’s next? Some of you have posted a few ideas for us to consider. I have another idea for next week, but we will keep that art idea secret, as you might want to give it to your parents…..(shhh!)

Everyone had the morning yesterday to build and to experiment with a mini fuel cell car. We learned about how electrolysis works, splitting the water into the parts of Hydrogen and Oxygen. Some of us are interested in the higher chemistry aspects, which I can go over on Friday; however, my hope is that everyone was able to at least see how we turned a liquid into a gas and used the various states of matter to power a car. I find it fun how you can actually “see” the Hydrogen and Oxygen gases, which are invisible to us, as they make the syringes we used with the car move! Hopefully you had a chance to watch the videos I posted, and we will experiment more with the cars on Friday, as I will put them out as an option during free choice for those who are interested in continuing.

In our class meeting earlier this week, we nominated a committee for our holiday party. Just a reminder that this committee needs to meet on their own time at recess or lunch break times to discuss, as on Friday we will look forward to hearing your ideas. The class also voted to do a Secret Santa. We are encouraging the gifts for this to be made; however, if you do want to purchase something for your person, then there is a hard limit of $5, as it is the thought that counts.

During French time yesterday, I discussed with everyone that we will continue with French-Games.Net, with another 10 sections of your choice; however, our project for this time will be different. We will be doing a dialogue with a partner using vocabulary we learned, which we will work on after we complete some more sections on the web. For this reason, please practice the pronunciation on the sections you do, as they do tell you how to pronounce the words in the lessons sections. You will still need to report the sections done to Ms. D for recording.

We will be continuing with more articles for Tuning In, however, rather than us killing trees with the articles, this time I have posted a variety on the blog for you to choose from. Please see the Articles of Interest page under Machines to choose five articles. Some of the links only have videos, and I have told everyone to do articles rather than videos, with the exception of The Story of Stuff. On Thursday, I will provide you with five of the article reflection sheets, plus one extra in case you need it. Then you have until next Friday to take a look at the articles and respond. I will provide some time in class, but some will need to be done at home.

Today I am away, but I am asking you to focus on making a timeline of a certain type of technology so we can discuss more deeply how technology has changed over time. Another thing we will be doing is having a debate (which we will discuss the format for) about whether technology has been a good thing or a bad thing for humans. A debate will require you to gather facts in advance, so you are ready to argue one side or the other using FACTS, not just your personal opinion.

Check the calendar for the school for other events coming up for the holidays!

Also, for those of you doing Reading Around the World, I have a bunch of prizes I would love to give away. So far Sophia has finished two continents and Max has finished one. Many people are reading and recording their books; however, not as many have checked in to say they have finished a continent. Make sure you check in! Remember, if you are having trouble figuring out what to read according to the list, ask Ms. D. It is more important to just read, read, read, and to build vocabulary than it is to finish any particular “list.” Many books fit the requirements. There are also many new books that were just added to our class collection, and Ms. Ho has bought a variety of new books in the school library you are reading. Make sure to record what you read!

Have a good day!