Adventures in Learning

Wow-O-Wow! I am always encouraged to see all the cook stuff kids come up with, but today they blew me away!  Having spent 3 class periods working on their diagrams and inventions, today students presented them to class.

I am truly blessed to be able to work with such creative minds!  From flower powered rockets to toy dusters, and jet packs grade 3 really came up with some great ideas!

It’s exciting to think that this generation of free thinkers might one day provide me with my own jet pack that runs on solar power, and can make any drink I want while in flight =)

Great job by everyone!

Here are a couple of video presentations!

Be Well!

During the last week we have been learning how to make and sell products in social studies.  We have learned how Henry Ford used an assembly line to make his automobiles quicker and cheaper for buyers.  We have also learned how inventions lead to new products such as Louis Daguerre’s camera.

This week students will be creating their own inventions.  Students will work with one partner to create a new product that adds value to the purchaser.  Each student will create a diagram showing exactly what their product is, label each of the parts, and explain how theyfunction.

We will be working on the inventions over the next two days and will present them to the class on Monday, March 8th.

Here are a few pictures of today’s inventors at work!

I can’t believe the weather we have been having all this week!  I think today at one point it was just under 80F or 25 C depending on where your from =)

Either way I am loving it!  Considering for the last month my hometown in Virginia has been covered in snow, I am quite happy to be cool!

Today during Social Studies we went outside to enjoy the warm sunny day and get some fresh air, which in Bangkok is a blessing!

Take a look!

Be Well!

As we move into our second school week of 2010, we have been getting back into the groove of daily life again =)  It’s wonderful to be back with the kids and learning about all the fun things they did over break!

Usually on Mondays for Language Art we focus on Peer Reading.  After we finish our daily journal we split up into groups of two or three, find a comfortable spot and get down to some reading.  Students are welcome to sit outside in front of the class or remain inside, it’s their choice.

This has really worked out well!  I find students that usually are hesitant about reading openly in class are much more comfortable when reading with a friend.

Towards the end of class, when everyone has finished reading, we will discuss what we have read as a class or complete a worksheet.  It’s really encouraging to see so many kids excited about reading!

Here are a few pictures from today’s Peer Reading!

Some of the benefits of Peer Reading include;

• Active learning and involvement
• Improving peer interactions through peer motivation and support
• Collaborative Learning
• Public Speaking
• Listening skills
• It’s Fun!

Be Well!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours!

We will be on break until January 12th!  Check back for all the new updates and great classroom actives for 2010!

Be Well!

With all the exam reviews, mural painting, Japanese celebration and the Kings Birthday, this week was a blur!

The students have been doing a great job creating their study notebooks and the class reviews have been really encouraging!  I am sure students will be more than ready for exams and the extended break next week =)

Have a great weekend!

Also, you might want to take a look as some of the fun we are having during the Creative Public Speaking class!  Take a Look!

Exam scopes were sent home today for all grade 3 students.  We will be reviewing what we have gone over for the past few months starting next week.  Parents, please don’t stress over the exams!  There will be plenty of time to review, and I am sure your child will do well =)  Exams are simply another way to assess what your child has learned over the course of this semester.

Here is a link to the exam scope just in case.  Exam Scope

Be Well!

Mr. Nathan

Kids just get cooler and cooler every time they get the chance to create something!  I am so impressed with what our students were able to come up with for the science fair!  During the last week students have been researching, building models, creating, hypothesizing and making a big fun mess in the process!  Here a few pictures from today’s science fair.

Great Job Everyone!

Here are a couple of videos from today’s activities!

Have a Great Weekend!

Earlier today in Bangkok food began falling from the sky!  Hamburgers, pancakes, gumballs!  It then began raining cream soda and at one point cheese began falling in large chunks!  Good thing our ever ready team of reporters where there to cover the story!

Take a look!

Thai awareness, kindness week, walk-a-thons, fun, learning ahhhhhh!  Where to start?  I tell ya what… check it out for yourself!

Here is the new episode of W51TV!

Enjoy!