Where We Are in Place and Time

Understanding that how we are a part of our amazing world is a big take away currently from this exciting unit of study.  Studying maps, models, various homes and journeys has sure been informative, a lot of fun and has left us all with so many wonders.  

Our central idea, "Representations help us understand where people live and where people go", has led us into a deep study into what representations are (Form), how they work (Function) and the why behind them all (Causation).  Everything we have studied has been so different.  Looking at these differences and been a lot of fun!    Did you know that maps, models and homes could be so exciting?!

Here is a look at some of our work:

A book character, Felix, traveled around the world.  It has been fun to mark his journey and predict where he would end up next. 

We study all kinds of maps and sure enjoy making our own!

Building our own homes

We are knowledgeable and fantastic communicators!
We sure learn a lot from our friends!

Maya is sharing her latest book from Writer's Workshop

Naijal is sharing his thinking from his Problem Solving Notebook

Mrs. McDonald, Max's mom, shared how mapping is used by writer's too!  We loved her Prezi and
are anxious to make our own.  What a great way to organize our thoughts.

Mrs. Taylor and Mrs. Humphrey's classes enjoyed Pajama Day on Friday.  The excitement was felt all over the school!

*Mrs. Mori and Mrs. Snyder's classes day is on Tuesday, November 26.

Mystery Readers have been such a special part of our weeks.  Thank you for giving your time and sharing your family's favorite stories with us.

Upcoming Events:

Thanksgiving Break November 27-29

Field Trip to the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes-December (information coming soon)

A Creative Week in So Many Ways!

Reflecting back on the pictures from the week, the attitude creativity jumped right out.  We started the week with our visit from Rosemary Wells, had a journey to Playhouse Square to see the remarkable play "Me and My Shadow," had our exciting Book Character Parade and ended with our Leaf Projects.      What a fun and CREATIVE week!  

Rosemary Wells Stops By CIS:

Yoko was really based on three girls.

Presenting a gift!

She shared with us the creative process that is involved in writing and illustrating her amazing books and expressed how every book she writes is based on something that she knows about.  She may change it up a bit, but the idea is there!

Ask your Explorer what she does with rice.  What a great idea!

Our Journey to Playhouse Square:

We were so lucky to see the play "Me and My Shadow."  It was very interesting to see what could be done with lights, our bodies, bags and just two people.  We were all captivated!

Our Book Character Parade:

We certainly were introduced to a lot of interesting books and characters.  Each Explorer was given the opportunity to share their book and which learner profile attribute best represents their character.  It was great to hear such remarkable explanations!

Our Leaf Sorting Projects:

Wow!  

Here is just a sample of the fantastic projects:  

Students are still presenting their work in most classes and doing a fantastic job! We will continue to showcase these projects on the blog over the next few weeks.  




Unit of Inquiry Investigations:


 We have been uncovering our next Unit of Inquiry this week.  We have worked with various materials, investigated books and maps and shared pictures that are being brought in from home. 

Ask your Explorer if they know what it is yet.  Do they know the theme? Has their class uncovered the Central Idea?  Key Concepts?  What are they hoping to learn?  

Thank You Mystery Reader!

That smile says it all!!

Upcoming Events:

11/5/13-  Student-led Conferences 

11/9/13- One World Fundraiser 

11/11/13- Veterans Day-No School

Look at All We Do!

Over the last two weeks, we have spent a great deal of time creating a reflection of our learning during our Who We Are Unit of Inquiry.  To demonstrate what the Explorers have learned they created a poster that showcased what they are like, how they have changed and how they connected to others (peers or book characters).  Our fantastic communicators have been presenting their work as well!  

Here is a sneak peak of our next Unit of Inquiry:

Our Explorers will begin leading this learning experience next week.  

Filled with wonder, filled with questions and uncovering our own answers!

Take a look at our researchers in action!  

Using our thinking skills in so many ways!

Patrick wrote a fantastic book at home and shared it with his class!

Eloise created a  fun illustration of an equation!

We are working on an auction item for the One World Event with Lily, Owen and Kai's mom!

Magical Mandarin

Our Zoo trip was so much fun and definitely full of great wonderings!!  

In Mandarin we are learning about animals too.  Mrs. Snyder's class even took a virtual trip to the National Zoo (Washington D.C.) to visit the Giant Panda.  

Here is the link if you would like to visit the zoo too! Giant Panda Cam  

Lights, Camera, Action!

The Beacon Street Theater came for a visit this week to share a message about the importance of being caring.  Many of our Explorers were chosen to act out parts too!

Thank you, thank you, thank you Mystery Readers!!

Upcoming Events:

Fall Festival is today!!  We are sure looking forward to seeing you there.  The Book Fair will be open today too.
Rosemary Wells visit-Wednesday (10/30)
Playhouse Square Field Trip-Wednesday (10/30)
Book Character Parade-Thursday (10/31)
Student-led Conferences-Beginning of Nov. 

A Few Classroom Favorite iPad Applications:

Montessori Crosswords (sounding out and building words)
Letter School (writing)
Picture D2D (ordering numbers dot-to dot)
Memory Train (Thinking)