Where We Are in Place and Time

To kick off our new unit, students reflected on what they felt a
home was and what a journey might be.  

Need and Wants Pre-Assessment-Studnts were asked to order the objects
as to what they needed most to survive.  So fun to hear the
Explorers explain their reasoning for the order they chose!

We have begun our second Unit of Inquiry, Where We are in Place and Time.  It is an inquiry into homes and journeys.  In this IB unit we will discuss homes, shelters, journeys and transportation.  We will explore how the environment impacts the type of shelter we live in as well as the materials needed to build a home.  Through this unit of study, our Explorers will begin to understand the items they "need" to survive and what items are "wants."  Studying the effects of Hurricane Sandy has opened our eyes tremendously about what we, and others, really need to survive. 

 Here the students had to sort a variety of items as they helped, Ms. Vogias "pack" for a trip.  They had to work in teams and think critically about what she needed to bring as space was limited.  Oh the discussions that were propelled from this activity were fantastic!

After reading about houses and homes across the world, two Expolers designed a house with stilts and had scissions on how it could live in an environment with water.  Such Thinkers!



We took part in our own elections as we geared up for the nation's elections.  It was a lot of fun to vote as classes and compare our results with other grades and classrooms throughout the school.

Reflecting and Communicating are important aspects of the Learner Profile.  As the Explorers journal and work in their Problem Solving Notebooks, sharing is so very important.  

Word families are so much fun!  

In math we are working hard on the concept "How many more," as well and the cardinality of numbers 11-20.  

Here two students are playing Get the Moon math game and working on "How many more."


Thank you to our Mystery Readers!  We love, love, love having you come.  

Things to Remember:
November 16-Mr. Taylor will be coming to discuss the National Guard's efforts to help others after Hurricane Sandy
November 21-23-Thanksgiving Vacation
November 29-Home Projects are due (information was given at conferences)
November 30-Home Exhibition