IPS/Butler University Laboratory School

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

Cameron reads wih Miss. Legg, a new Butler friend.

Our new 6th grade friend reads us a story.

Today we have had quite the day! Our new Butler Block A friends began working with our class and we were so excited to meet them all. We also had a visit from a mentor 6th grader who shared a story with us about bullying. He then led a discussion about bullying and how we can treat one another peacefully. The kids made many connections with what we have been talking about during our friendship circle times and in class!

Tags: Butler

Kristien and Reed explain their game!

Journey and Lucas carefully look over one another’s cards. Which will they trade?

As you may know, our class works together to earn Positive Points. These points are earned when as a class, we are peaceful, kind, following directions, or showing any other kind of exemplary behavior. About a week ago, we earned our goal of 100 Positive Points! As a class, we talked about and debated what our celebration would be. We eventually decided we would like to have an ice cream party. Then, Da’Sean brought up a neat idea, “What if we invited friends?” We felt that Da’Sean’s idea of sharing our celebration with friends was so great, we had to do it! On Friday, we decided to invite Mrs. Clark’s class for an ice cream and trading card party. We wrote and then delivered a letter to their class. Thankfully, they accepted our offer! Today, Mrs. Clark’s class came over at 2:15 and we began our trading event. The kids practiced our trading agreements of trading peacefully, being kind when they did not want to trade with someone, and respecting our agreement of “no re-trading”. We had such a good time visiting with one another and honoring one another’s artwork and hard work! After our trading event was over, we enjoyed ice cream together. To top it off, Mrs. Clark’s class had a special surprise to share with us- a class created limbo game! (Ask a friend from Mrs. Clark’s class about the inception of the game!) Reed and Kristien explained how the game worked and helped us carefully navigate the limbo game. Everybody had a chance to go through and then an impromptu dance party erupted- so much fun! We are so glad to celebrate good behavior and friendship in such positive ways!

Tags: art, creativity, friendship, trading cards

Our friends are busy trading!

This afternoon we had a special event.  Mrs. Argus’ class had earned a party for their class.  They were allowed to invite another class and they picked us!  So at the end of the day today we were invited to a Trading Card and Ice Cream Party!

I have not blogged about trading cards yet, but they were something that started in studio with Mrs. Grotjan.  They are cards that the kids design with different studio materials.  They create different pieces of art that can be traded with other students.  We have this as an option during Free Choice each day and there are friends who spend their entire time making trading cards.

Needless to say we were very excited to be asked to come to a Trading Card AND Ice Cream Party.  The kids were counting down all day!

Ice Cream for Max and Lucas!

Look at all of our friends eating the ice cream in Mrs. Argus' airplane!

All of our friends love trading cards!

Cameron and Monica are trading away!

Christian tries out yoga!

Mrs. Williams teaches us yoga!

 

Our class has been lucky enough to have begun learning a new life skill- yoga. Mrs. Williams, a friend who teaches at our school, has come twice now to teach us this valuable and fun skill. Yoga has already proved to be an engaging and calming time for us after lunch. Yesterday, we worked on taking deep and short breaths, and recognizing the difference. Today, we learned several new yoga poses, including the Cobra, Downward Dog, and the Lizard. Tomorrow, we will get to try them in combination and do the Sun Salutation. Miss Schmidt and I have been impressed with our friends keen listening skills during this time and peaceful behavior. We are so proud.