IPS/Butler University Laboratory School

At the very end of the day today we had some serious fun in the class!  I have this funny little hedgehog/elephant type toy that I threw to each friend on the other side of the room.  They LOVED it!  And, what was the best part you ask?  Well, let me tell you that for each child they cheered “Go, (insert name)!” over and over again.  It was such a fun and supportive thing we did to close the day. They kept asking if we could do it again so maybe tomorrow we will do this fun practice again.

Olivia and Sophia are interviewing each other!

In Writer’s Workshop we have been talking a lot about biographies.  Our next step in this is that the kids are going to write biographies about each other.  Yesterday we talked about what was important to know and came up with questions to ask.  Today the kids got a chance to interview their partners.  It was wonderful to see them sharing their own personal stories with others!

Kristien and Reid are really into their interviews!

Our recycling poster

We are on a roll with our recycling project!  This past week a small group has been working with Mrs. Grotjan and Miss Robison on a recycling poster.  After collecting the recycling over the past month, the kids decided that we needed some recycling posters to remind all the friends at our school to recycle.  Today we presented it the the entire class and figured out where we wanted to hang the multiple copies of the posters.

After this conversation I asked the class, “What are our next steps?”  They decided that they still indeed wanted to write the mayor about recycling.  So this afternoon I met with a small group of friends to brainstorm ideas.  We figured out that we need to write Mr. Ballard about recycling and saving our planet by saving our trees.  Keep checking back to see where this portion goes!

Finally, as it is the first of the month please send in snacks.  We are running very low.  Thank you!!!

Predicting and testing.

Ruth and Christian begin an investigation.

This afternoon during studio and explore, I noticed three friends, Jenesis, Ruth, and Christian, building very enthusiastically over in the block area. After observing for a while, it was evident what they were working very hard to create- a marble launcher! They noticed their marbles didn’t have enough speed to get to the end of their almost 8 foot launcher. After trying different things out independently, Ruth said, “I think it needs more force!” The kids agreed, and together, they lifted the beginning piece higher. Christian said, “It’s higher, and the marble is more powerful.” Jenesis agreed. Their enthusiasm for their project spread through the classroom. By the end of the afternoon, there were almost 10 kids working together to shoot multiple marbles across the launcher. All were working together, communicating with their words, after careful observation and trial and error.

The building continues.

The group is enthused! A second marble launcher begins…

Tags: collaboration, creativity, curious, design, friendship, motivation, problem solving

What a day!  We welcomed four new Butler teachers into our room today!  These four teachers, Miss Kouri, Miss Olerich, Miss Templeton (who has been in our class quite a bit before), and Miss Kesler (who also has been in our room a bit).  They did such an amazing job on their first day!  They were engaged with the children, facilitating wonderful conversations, and really working hard building relationships with the class community.  I am really excited to see how the rest of the semester goes with these wonderful teachers!

This week we have begun to talk about time.  Yesterday we began to make a class clock.  Today we finished it and the friends in class then made their very own clocks out of paper plates.  They were so engaged during this time (no pun intended), and have really enjoyed learning and discussing time with each other.  I have even seen some friends start wearing their watches to school.  🙂

We have been talking about biographies in class, and on Monday the children learned that they would be interviewing each other and then writing books about a friend in class.  We picked names for partners, we came up with interview questions, we watched Kermit the frog interview the first teacher ever, and today we interviewed each other!  I cannot begin to tell you how engaged the children were, how excited and truly interested they were in finding out about their friends, and how nicely they worked together.  I am really looking forward to seeing the children’s biographies come to life!

Beautiful picture of Tevona sharing her yoga pose

Jonah and Makayla working so well together during the interviews.

Miss Kouri working with some friends making their own clocks.

Our class clock!

Today our new Butler friends started in our classroom.  Similar to last semester, they will be with us once a week for the entire day.  So each Wednesday we will have 5 extra teachers to help out in our classroom.  The kids were so excited today to have even more friends!  Our five friends are, Miss Weist, Miss Hunter, Miss Prop, Miss Kirby, and Miss Moheban.  While the kids are excited, I think I am even more excited to have more help in our wonderful class.

Miss Moheban is reading with BreAnna and Dorothy.

Miss Prop reads with Nytaiya and Kristien.

Miss Weist reads with Tylisha and CJ.

Miss Kirby reads with Raki.

Miss Hunter reads with Max and David.