How does wind move objects?

The Best Day Ever! This is the Best Day!

 I heard those words over and over again the day we flew our Kites. My students were so excited. They had decorated their Kites, assembled them, and couldn’t wait to take them out for a test drive. I guess that’s what I must have been like when I got my Driver’s License! Ready to take the car out for a Spin!

The Kites that we ordered from Donors Choose were so easy for the students to put together and especially for them to fly. They were amazed that all they had to do was basically walk outside, raise the Kite and let go. I wish you could have seen their faces! Several students had never even flown a Kite before, so imagine what that day meant to them.

Do my students know how wind moves objects? You bet they do! In one moment 22 Kites are flying high, and then just a couple of minutes later only 1 or 2 were still up. What a great moment for us to discuss why that happened. All I had to do was say, “Guys why aren’t you still flying your Kites? What happened?” They immediately told me there wasn’t enough wind to make their Kites fly.

Can a textbook explain that same concept? Of course it could, but it wouldn’t be as meaningful to students as the day they saw it happen right before their eyes. This is my second year in a row to fly Kites with my students and it has to be one of my favorite experiences. Because of the Kites, they not only learned the required content, they experienced it and can explain what happens with enthusiasm.

1 Grant Funded, 1 Needing More Support

Right before Christmas I found out our grant called, "Tick Tock Are You Finished" was completely funded!! We will receive 22 copies of the book, "White Snow, Bright Snow." I know students will really enjoy having their own copy to read as we read it together in class. It is so much better to have the book in your own hands, instead of trying to share a book with a partner.

I currently have another grant posted: The Book is in the Middle that we hope will also get funded. This grant is asking for two more sets of books. After we finish reading  "White Snow, Bright Snow", we can jump to another great story and then another!

This grant was written for 22 copies of: Amelia Bedelia Goes Camping and 22 copies of  Horrible Harry Moves Up to Third Grade. I will read a chapter at a time as students follow along. They will be able to go back and reread which will further their own understanding and comprehension.

Donors have read my grants and have provided funding so we could receive so many wonderful things for my classroom for students to use. It is just amazing what happens when friends, family, and complete strangers support classrooms!

The Hour of Code

My students participated in the Hour of Code today seeing first hand how to program a game in order to make programs run. They were so engrossed in each project they actually groaned when I told them they needed to log off so we could go home.

For more information go to: http://code.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was great walking around and watching the problem solving, determination and joy expressed by students!

 

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Thanks for caring about us!

Today we received a box of 25 seat sacks that were donated to our classroom through a Grant funded with Donors Choose. I wish I had videotaped my students! They were sooooo excited to open these and immediately put them to use. When the box came, I knew immediately what they were. I gathered the students around me and opened the box to reveal what was inside. They went nuts! I immediately heard, "Oh Yea", "We will never have to pick up our things AGAIN", "Man these things are awesome", and "I am so glad we got these. These things are going to make my life so much easier."

I knew our seat sacks were stretched out and I knew they were an issue; this is exactly why I wrote the grant. What I didn't realize was just how much of an issue they were for my students. I am so grateful to the six donors for supporting our classroom and helping us receive these amazing resources! I bought the original seat sacks and it is true, you get what you pay for! I didn't get a good deal after all.

Why seat sacks? Well, we've been very blessed through Donors Choose and have gotten dry erase boards, erasers and markers for every student. Through another grant, every student has their own dictionary to keep at their desk to help them with their writing. The dictionaries have lines for students to write their own words for later use. This allows a dictionary to truly meet students needs. These materials are used everyday and need to be easily accessible for students.

The new seat sacks hold Everything WITHOUT sagging, tipping, or sliding off. Just look at their faces! It felt like Christmas and they were so grateful!

The seat sacks seem like such a small thing, but it makes such a difference in our room!

 

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