Semester 3- Week 4

Photos

Tuesday

Morning Gathering

This morning, during our weekly review of the cardinal directions, we not only located the compass rose on a map but we also worked on a little math in converting our coordinates onto a map scale (for example, 1 inch = 100m). It's important for map readers to be aware of the scale to interpret maps accurately. Measuring distances, calculating areas, and estimating travel times all rely on understanding the map's scale. It also helps students develop spacial awareness, which is a skill that's vital not only for geography but also for problem-solving in various subjects. It improves their ability to visualize information, make connections, and think critically.

Writing

Group 1-

Students completed worksheets on spelling and vocabulary, and continued writing simple sentences. A second assignment (collaborative) had the students write a myth on “Why snakes have no legs.” Each student contributed to the writing prompt and used their imagination to script.

Skills-vocabulary, spelling, sentence structure, decoding, creative writing, collaborative writing.

Group 2-3-

Students worked on editing paragraphs using formal editing symbols. After, they finished coding the initial research paper article, “How Pets Affect Mental Health.” (class activity).

Skills-editing, research coding.

Ancient Civilizations

This week, our classroom became a time machine, transporting us to ancient India! We journeyed back thousands of years to explore the Indus Valley Civilization and learn about their fascinating cities. Imagine sprawling settlements with well-planned streets and sophisticated drainage systems – a marvel of their time!

But our adventure wasn't just about bricks and mortar. We delved into the rich world of Indian spirituality. We unraveled the ancient practice of yoga, with its emphasis on physical postures, breathing exercises, and meditation – a practice that continues to bring peace and well-being to millions around the world.

We got to unleash our inner artists by creating our own mandalas. These beautiful, intricate circular designs are more than just art – they serve as a focus for meditation and a representation of the cosmos. Imagine the satisfaction (and the beauty!) of creating your own unique mandala!

And to top it all off, we even tried some relaxing yoga poses! Stretching and breathing together, we experienced a taste of this ancient practice firsthand. It was a journey of discovery, both physical and mental!

Forensic Science

Did you know many scientists agree that no two places on Earth have precisely the same soil? Students enjoyed an in-depth lesson on soil and learned that farmers, geologists, and engineers all view and define soil very differently. In forensic cases, only about one cup of the top layer of the soil needs to be collected. When forensic geologists are investigating a crime, all natural and artificial objects that are on or near the surface of the earth are considered part of the soil. This includes rock, minerals, vegetation, glass, paint, asphalt, etc. The presence of these objects in that area helps to make that area of soil unique from other areas. In the lab, students compared soil samples taken from the crime scene with soil samples taken from the shoes of suspects. The class was given background information on 4 suspects. After students observed the dirt from each of their shoes, they determined that one suspect had the same dirt from the crime scene. The students inspected the color, odor, texture, pH, and the ability to hold water (the relative amounts of sand, clay, and humus in each sample determine how much water it can hold). It was a very exciting and entertaining mystery to solve!!

Wednesday

Morning Gathering

Following our introduction to knitting and the cozy world of scarves, we delved deeper into the world of crafting this morning! Today, we explored the fascinating art of string art.

String art, like knitting, uses simple materials to create beautiful and unique pieces. Imagine the creativity and focus required to bring a string art design to life!

In response to your awesome requests, next week we'll be building a time capsule together. Students will get a chance to bury a piece of their self and this very moment in time, for future generations to discover!

It can be anything that sparks their imagination: a drawing, a small object, a funny meme (printed out!).

Marine Biology

Ahhh the salty, ocean breeze swept through the entire co-op today! Oh wait, no that was the smell of 30 squid! Students learned about different kinds of mollusks, like gastropods (snails & slugs like Gary), bivalves (mussels, scallops, clams), and cephalopods (octopus & squid). We learned that all bivalve mollusks can make pearls, but only a few can make gem pearls like the oyster! The same material that is used to make the pearl, is the same material as the shell! Cephalopod literally means "head-footed," since their arms/feet come out of the head. What better way to observe the body features of a cephalopod than to dissect one! Students observed and explored the insides of a squid! We learned about the outside skin layer, filled with colored dots called chromatophores. These allow the squid to change color in order to camouflage as a defense mechanism. Squid also use color to communicate! We are verbal communicators, where they are light and color communicators. Scientists have yet to fully and accurately decode this language. We even examined the skin under a microscope! Going inward, we determined the different reproduction organs between a male and female squid (gonads), we located the 3 hearts, gills, and each of their functions. We also, dissected the eye, brain, and mouth, gently pulling out the sharp looking beak and esophagus. Lastly, we pulled out the gladius, which is the internal shell of the squid that literally looked like a plastic feather!

Squid dissection allows students to examine structural adaptations and observe the relationship between form and function. Squid are complex and very intelligent invertebrates! They can be found in virtually all pelagic zones in the ocean!

Group 1 dissection was more visual, however students were able to put on gloves and feel the different parts of the squid, as well as view everything under the microscope.

The squid contained no preservatives. They were frozen, wild caught squid bought from a local marketplace.

Documentaries: Colossal Squid on Discovery Channel. Also, Secrets of the Octopus premiers THIS SUNDAY, April 21st on National Geographic. Can be streamed next day on Hulu or Disney+. Also, countless YouTube videos on the intelligence of Octopuses (or Octopi). Octopuses have the largest brains of any invertebrate. Extensive research has proven they have "developed intelligence, emotions, and individual personalities." One of my favorite documentaries is, "My Octopus Teacher." It's excellent for all ages and very moving (you may need a tissue)!!!

Energy 101

We explored the lymphatic system- which aids in immunity if taken care of.  The kids learned a Lymphatic Drainage tapping massage/7 centers and shoulder pumps - jumping around, end with a dance. 

We created Art/Journals - so that notes can be taken if they wish, drawings, writing, anything they wish.  We created tree drawings and discussed what we wanted to grow on our trees and radiate out in the world. Food, love, creativity, new inventions, kindness, joy, exploration, world peace, were some of the words they chose. 

Process Art exercise- scribbling exercise to classical music and exploring if they see anything in the scribbles, patterns, etc. 

Movement Practice - Sun salutation, Star, frog, fish, wolf, eagle, child’s pose, airplane legs and arms. Imagine they are a tree and completed an exercise where we discussed the Roots system and how they help hold each other up. 

We completed a Small Journaling Exercise - exploring what kindness is and what does that mean to you. Creativity- what does that mean to you? What is one goal that you have? What is one need that you have? What is one thing you can do to work towards that goal and ask for something you need. 

Some of the kids brought the journal home with them and some of them I have at school for them to use weekly when we’re together.

Sculpting & Art

This week in class the students continued to work on their creations from the previous weeks and painted their sculptures that they made. Some students who finished started to create armatures with aluminum foil and card board to create animals or creatures.