Science Work

After we had great conversations about how scientists explore, Fawn Friends had the opportunity to be scientists themselves! Science is one of my favorite subjects with young learners as it speaks to the very core of who they are! Curious, hands on, deep thinking, questioning beings!
Take a look at your scientists at work!

Here you see them practicing with gentle hands to use a science tool. The challenge was to move water from one jar to another using droppers while making sure only to release one drop at a time. Their focus was amazing!

In the photographs below you see scientists experimenting with tops and balance toys. It was so interesting to hear them discuss how to change speed and what effect it would have if they spun two tops at once!

Below you will see scientists looking closely at items from nature. We discussed how scientists don't just look at things, they use their science eyes to observe and think about what they see. I love seeing them engaged! Nature is amazing to study!

We also learned that scientists measure to study size and weight. Below you will see them weighing shells using balances.

Below you see scientists using binoculars to look closely at nature and record exactly what they see.

I hope your child can tell you about some of their science work!!

How Do Scientists Explore? Discovering through our See, Think, Wonder Routine

On Friday we did some deep thinking about what it means to be a scientist and what a scientist does. We started with our "See, Think, Wonder" routine. When doing this routine, learners are given the task of looking quietly at an object for a given amount of time. Then we share our thinking about the objects and any wonders we might have.
First, each group was given a picture of people doing different types of scientific work. They looked at the picture silently for about one minute with their group. Then, each group came up and presented their picture explaining what they thought was going on. I recorded their thinking on a chart to display in the classroom...
Take a look...

Here is what we came up with...

We have some deep thinkers on our hands~

Thinking and Learning Time Week Of September 9

Last week we took some time to study our names. This week we are continuing our name study during Thinking and Learning Time.

Below you see writers strengthening fine motor skills using a thumbtack to "pin punch" their names. Students love this activity! 

Below you will see our thinkers tracing their names with glue and sprinkling them with salt. Later in the week we will dab them with watercolors to see how the colors spread through the salt. 

Below you see scientists recording the flag. We will be studying the flag and talking about the pledge all week. Your learner will be bringing home a little book of the pledge. I hope you enjoy reading over it with them!

At the word study table our learners were using our lines and curves (handwriting materials) to build upper case letters. 

Please check your child's folder nightly to see which activity he or she focused on each day. Ask your learner to explain their thinking and learning to you!
Have a great week!

Colors, Colors, Everywhere!

Today our artists looked closely at colored pencils to study shades and sort by color. I was impressed with how closely and carefully they observed to thoughtfully sort our pencils!
Thank you for all of your donations!

I love building the classroom with the Fawn Friends! What a great school family!

Thinking and Learning Time Week of September 3

Each day your learners participate in "Thinking and Learning Time". This is the part of our day in which Fawn Friends are engaged in rich, cross-curricular, literacy activities! Each day these thinkers work at a different table and by the end of the week they will have had the opportunity to do them all!
Take a look at what your learners will be working on this week!

Below you will see writers strengthen their fine motor skills using pegs and tweezers. In order to use writing tools and form letters correctly learners must have these skills in place.

Below you will see readers looking closely at the letters in the alphabet. Some used magnet letters, while others organized them in alphabetical order using puzzles.

Below learners are studying letters and numbers using playdough

Below you will scientists looking closely at shells to observe changes that occur when they applied water. Fawn Friends worked on using slow movements as they gently "painted" the shells with water. Learning patience and strengthening thoughtful observation is a key piece of student growth!

I love watching them work!

Ask your child which table he/she worked at today!