IPS/Butler University Laboratory School

Today was a fun day in 107!

It was exciting to take advantage of a presidential election to dive into the minds of our students.

The day began with voting for our daily question. The question was “Should we freeze dance to Justin Bieber or Taylor Swift.” You know…the really important questions in life! Justin Bieber won, but that was only the beginning of our voting for the day. We also voted on our snack and which materials we should use throughout the day.

During morning meeting, we read If I Ran for President, by Catherine Stier. It is a great book that goes through the whole campaign and election process. We also read, I Am Patriotic by Sarah L. Schuette during readers workshop. We talked about our responsibility to vote as well as other things we can do to show our patriotism.

As students entered the room this morning, I asked them who the president currently is and what a president’s job is. Most every child knew that Obama is our president (although, I did get a “Mr. Smith” and a “I don’t know…Martin someone.”) Their idea of what the president does varied thought. Some of the kids’ responses were…

He makes people do the right thing.

The president gives questions.

He takes care of the city.

He talks speeches loud.

He lives in the white house, gives speeches, and he rules the country.

I don’t really know. I’m guess that he says when people are mean to be nice.

He takes care of us.

He teaches us.

He protects us.

He keeps us safe.

We also took a private poll. Students were able to vote for who they thought should be president during attendance this morning. Fifteen students voted for Obama. Three voted for Romney. One voted for Batman, one for Justin Bieber, and one for George Washington!

Lastly, I asked students what they would do if they were president. Here’s what they said.

I would do something very nice to take care of somebody who is hurt or sick.

Have a party.

I would make laws and rule the country.

If people hit, I would tell them not to.

I would help somebody if other people were bullying them.

I would rock.

Probably I would just like help the world.

Happy Election Day!

We had an awesome day at the Children’s Museum.  Our scientists were engaged in the scientific method and using different tools to test the water from various museum exhibits.  It was a rich day filled with learning and fun! Tomorrow we will be analyzing the data we collected and drawing conclusions about where the leak came from.  More to come about our discoveries later this week!

This morning, friends were invited to a new provocation- the human ear. Various pictures of ears were placed throughout the room and friends were invited to draw what they saw. Each time our friends our invited to do an observational drawing such as this, Mr. Henderson and I are blown away by the attention to detail. The pictures are incredible. After our drawings, we sat as a class and talked about the concept of listening. What exactly is listening? Some friends shared…

Listening is listening and listening is respecting. Miles

Not to yell, but to listen. Cariah

With someone is talking, you don’t play. Messi

Listening is listening to a friend and your mom. Cariah.

You have to listen! Makenzi

Listening to them when they are talking. Lucas

Shouting is not listening. Makenzi

I just wanted to say that’s an agreement for peace. Cariah

Listening is hearing. Mrs. Argus

We will revisit this concept tomorrow with more provocations on sound. As teacher researchers, we are wondering if giving listening and sound significant and obvious roles in the classroom will improve our communication as a class.

Tags: capable, communication, friendship, problem solving, relationships

Just a reminder, both of the 1st & 2nd grade classes will be going on a field trip to the Children’s Museum tomorrow. The workers at the Children’s Museum need our help!    Our kids have been given the challenge to figure out where a mysterious stain has come from.  As we have shared in previous blogs, the kids have been preparing by exploring different science tools.  Check out a few pictures below from our exploration of hydometers today!

This Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, our very own Lucas, Beatrice, and Ruth will be performing in The Wiz at Warren Central High School. As they make their stage debut, we would love to support them as a community. If your family is able, come out to the show! Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students. We would love to see you there.