October 2014
Dear Parents,
We’ve had a great
start to our Fall units!
Second and Third
Grade Target Students began the year with a mini-STEAM unit called
Geronimo! They learned how air dynamics
powered parachutes so that they could create their own. After designing and creating their group
parachute; they had fun seeing how they working outside. They learned a lot about how structure,
elements, and materials can effect a smooth ride from air to ground.
In our Life is
River unit for 3rd and 4th grades, we’ve been learning
about the natural and man-made water cycles. We visited a water treatment
facility that uses innovative designs to clean wastewater to be returned to the
river. Ask your child about the “spaghetti filter”. This week, we will be
training for our creek water analysis. We are looking forward to our first
creek visits on October 28th and 31st. Be on the lookout
for a field trip permission form in your child’s Target folder.
Our 4th
and 5th Graders enjoyed visiting Yellowstone National Park in our
mini STEAM Unit: Energy, Ecosystems and Eruptions! Ranger Sanders and Ranger Parsons guided the
students on a park adventure that kept everyone engaged. They especially found the making and demo of
our geysers exciting. We finished our
park adventure with a “campfire” and
smores while sharing cowboy stories and reflections.
Our 5th graders have traveled back
in time for the Reinventing Shakespere unit. The Bard have been working on
their acting skills through tableaux exercises and improv. The students did a
phenomenal job on their Shakespeare Tic Tac Toe menus. We had some very
creative presentations! We are looking forward to our upcoming field trip to
the Alliance theatre on October 30th and our Alliance In-school
Imrov Workshop on November 6th.
Watch for more information on both of these activities.
Second Grade
Target Students have been enjoying our PACE Unit and STEAM activities. They
have been working hard to master primary algebraic standards, understand
thinking skills and thinking styles, and enjoying affective lessons that
encompass making smart choices. Second
Grade knows how to use their divergent thinking skills to create and invent new
and unique products. They are
strengthening their collaboration and communication skills during partner and
team activities.
As always, please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have
any questions or concerns.
Thanks for your support,
Mrs. Parsons
and Mrs. Sanders
