Adventures in Learning » active learning

Wells International School Talent Show 2010

Mr. Nathan Gist — Wed, 12 May 2010 08:06:34 +0000

Great show today show such wide variety of talents from our students! Here are a little look at some of the entertainment!

Take a look at the combined efforts of Grades 3-5! All choreographed by Maria Schaller!

Enjoy!

Wells International Day

Mr. Nathan Gist — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 04:42:39 +0000

Today we celebrated many of the different cultures that make up Wells International School. I feel truly blessed to be able to experience so many different cultures each and every day.

We watched dances, listened to songs, and learned fun facts about many different countries. Though the temperature was a little more than 100F students and parents alike took it all in stride.

Here a few videos from today’s activities;

Have a great weekend!

Invention Presentations

Mr. Nathan Gist — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 03:59:04 +0000

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!

Inventions

Mr. Nathan Gist — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 07:36:45 +0000

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!

Peer Reading

Mr. Nathan Gist — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 05:41:07 +0000

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!

Science Fair

Mr. Nathan Gist — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 09:30:39 +0000

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!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZgDBX8Jr00

www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BBpdO-RNc0

Have a Great Weekend!

Breaking News!

Mr. Nathan Gist — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:10:11 +0000

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!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKeUMnq2PmY

www.youtube.com/watch?v=39OCD1P-Lao

www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4kgd9h0Fhg

W51TV Episode VII

Mr. Nathan Gist — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:34:49 +0000

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!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vr3aalOTDy0

www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfcQ39q9QyM

Creating A News Report

Mr. Nathan Gist — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 02:31:29 +0000

Having just finished the story “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs” by Judi Barrett, Grade 3 will be putting on their own news report tomorrow.

Little did we know that food would begin falling from the sky right here in Bangkok! The good thing is that the students began to form their own action plans and news reports to let people know.

For the last two days students have been writing their scripts, preparing their microphones and coragraphing their upcoming stories.

Today was the last day of practice so tomorrow we will be the first to break the “Big Story”! Check back to see the new videos!

Until then, watch out for falling meatballs!

Saving Our Environment

Mr. Nathan Gist — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:36:20 +0000

Today during Social Studies we discussed some of the consequences we are facing because of the over use of our natural resources. I prepared a slide show to give students an idea of what kind of environmental problems we are now facing.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=3R2CpzVcv0c

Students then came up with ideas on how to solve the different issues. Some of the ideas included;

Deforestation

“Recycle the paper, Don’t cut the trees.”

“Don’t use one side of paper”

Air Pollution

“Use bicycles”

“Try to use solar power”

“Don’t smoke”

Excess Garbage

“Reuse, Reduce and Recycle the garbage”

“Send it to space”

Water Pollution

“Don’t throw trash in water”

“Don’t throw dirty water in the water”

These are just a few of the great ideas the kids came up with while working in their groups. It’s important to keep their minds engaged in thinking out their own solution! Be Great Problem Solvers!

Here are a few pictures from today’s class!

We also looked at a couple of Biodegradability Timelines as well. Take a look for yourself.

Biodegradable Timeline

Cans (aluminum) 200 yrs
Cans (tin) 50 years
Cardboard box 2 months
Cotton Rope 3 to 14 months
Diapers (Biodegradable) 1 yr
Diapers (disposable) 450 yrs
Fishing line 600 yrs
Glass Undetermined
Photo-degradable drinking cup 6 months
Plastic bags & wrappers 10 to 20 yrs
Plastic bottle 450 yrs
Plastic six-pack holder 400 yrs
Styrofoam (buoy) 80 yrs
Styrofoam (cup) 50 yrs
Wood (painted 15 yrs
Wood (Plywood) 1 to 3 yrs

80% of marine debris is washed, blown or dumped from land. Plastic accounts for more than 50% of all marine debris. Many objects look like food to marine mammals and birds -- this debris can lodge in their stomachs and cause starvation.

Getting children to start thinking globally now can make all the difference!