Investigations, Observations and Inferences

Looking for clues, studying something closely and putting clues together to make informed predictions are all science skills...but they are also reading comprehension skills as well!  As a class we are constantly practicing our observation and recording skills. Feathers were our first chance to look at something closer and record our observations.

Many shared they found that there were two types of feathers- one was more stiff and the other was fluffy.

After observing feathers, it was time to move on to investigating and researching information about Arctic animals. We were VERY surprised to learn about a bird that can change the color of its' feathers to a winter white when the season grows cold!  We also studied the polar bear and read how it adapts using its' clear fur, black skin and blubber to stay warm. Every child stuck his /her
finger coated with blubber (Crisco) into ice water and recorded

what they felt. Students then made a prediction of what they knew about blubber and polar bears...to expressing what they thought about seals and how they adapt to the Arctic waters. Working with our partners in Ms. Kein's class, we researched seals as well as our Polar Animal of choice to create Polar Pop Up Fact Books.

 

 

Ms. Lesperance and Ms. Kein are handing out paper mouth, nose and eyes to add to Arctic Sculptures in Great Falls Garden

All students were paired up with a study buddy from a different classroom- and then they had to decide between Arctic Animals we read about in class: narwhal whales, seals, polar bear or walrus. Last- they were to construct a snow sculpture complete with body parts it make use to survive. 

It was a great way to end a unit of study! We hope to do some more cooperative science projects in the near future!

Readers Theater, Readers Choice, Readers Science/Character Study

"Just Right" books and the written work telling about what was just read

Student book choice- and writing reflections of what they read 

                                                                            

Students read aloud during Readers Theater :  Frog and Toad selection from "Frog and Toad All Year Long"



 Now our entire school- cafe and janitors included- are reading Kenny and the Dragon. Grahame, the dragon in the story, LOVES creme brulee. Everyone was wondering WHAT creme brulee was...so my dear friend at Beacon Eye Care in Saco volunteered to come and make some for us to try!  Dr. Whelan (our Arctic Chef) brought her baking torch as well as her temperature gun- which was great fun as we had to fire the tops outside- due to fire codes.
 Our purple dragons (with hats) helped blow our own magic flame to assist. Later, students were asked to infer why the dragon loved this desert better than all of the others. 17 out of 19 were able to infer after seeing how the creme brulee is made. 

Culture and Customs...Winter Wonders

" The Nesting Doll"
  A Russian Folktale

We picked our favorite character that came out of the magic dolls in the story

                    Then it was time for our Travel day to Russia !

Creating postcards,
writing facts we have learned
and then sending them to our friends.

Counting books-
with Russian flags

Polar 

Cafe

Making our own
Faberge eggs- full
of jewels that are
priceless.