IPS/Butler University Laboratory School

This week we are experiencing a new science experiment that is exploring volume, properties of water, and observation.  The children with Mr. Nored there beside them take a dry penny.  Then they predict how many drops of water they think they can drop on a penny before it spills off the penny.  Was there prediction correct or not?  I have seen so much engagement with this experience so I look forward to seeing more of this throughout the week.

This week we are talking about what would be the most appropriate tools to measure something.  Yesterday we put a straight piece of tape on the ground.  Then, I asked them, “How long is it?”  We talked about what we could use, and we talked about why we thought that tool would be most appropriate.  Today we added a zig zag line next to the long line of tape, and I posed the question, “Which one is longer?”  We had such a great discussion about which one was longer and why they thought that.  Then, we talked about which tool would be most appropriate.  The zig zag line although it looked shorter was actually longer than the long line of tape.  It was such a great experience with the children where I saw their thoughts blossom and be respected among the other peers in their group.

Jason doing the penny/water experiment!

Makayla, Oliver, and Isaac working together to measure the zigzag line.

Miss Estridge celebrating the achievements of a lunch agreement follower!

Over the past few weeks, our class has been brainstorming ways for us to make a more peaceful lunch. One day right before winter break, we came to the conclusion we needed lunch agreements to guide us and our peers in a successful lunch time. As a class, we drafted five agreements and then asked our fellow classes for suggestions. Each friend in our class had a chance to present the agreements to the other classes and field questions and comments regarding them. We were met with overwhelming support from our peers and created draft posters with our five agreements on them.

1. Eat your food.

2. Talk in a whisper (soft voice)

3. Listen to all teachers

4. Stay in  your seat.

5. Be peaceful (kind and calm)

Each day at the end of lunch, the teachers on lunch duty have taken time to acknowledge friends from all the classes that are following these lunch agreements. They have been met with celebration from their friends and much applause. It has been a powerful experience to see the kids start to hold one another accountable for a more enjoyable lunch experience. I even had a friend (who shall remain anonymous 🙂 ) say, “Boy my family could use some lunch agreements!”

Friendly conversation!

Tags: friendship

Today during our Friendship Circle with Mrs. Argus’ class we discussed the idea of maybe having a handshake that everyone would do each day as we enter our Friendship Circle.  Ruth, in Mrs. Argus’ class, thought that maybe combining some of the handshakes that we have already seen would be good because then we would not be leaving anyone out.  So, we combined some ideas from Selam and Tevona’s handshake and then from David and Christian’s handshake.  The children were very excited to have this new handshake so let’s see how we do on Friday when it is our first day implementing it into the Friendship Circle.

The children have been very in to the idea of painting the past week so today I brought in a book about stained glass to talk about how that is created (which also fit into our idea of How-To books).  The small group of children noticed that there were a lot of black lines that drew what the image was on the glass and then the color was filled in between the lines.  So…that small group started to do that with paper, black felt tip markers, and watercolor paint today.  We will continue to explore this idea this week, and we will see where it goes!

Some of our friends working on the new handshake for the group!

Madeline S.'s image of a house, flowers, a sun, and sky.

Shaniyia working on her stained glass painting.

Our finished applesauce!

This past week we have been reading a lot of non-fiction books, specifically How To books.  On Friday, we read a How To Make Applesauce book.  Today, during Writer’s Workshop, we revisited that book and rewrote the steps ourselves.  After we had the procedure crystal clear we made our own applesauce.  Each student had a bag to dump into the crockpot to help make the fun treat.  After a few hours of cooking, we ate our applesauce for snack!

CJ and BreAnna added apples to our crockpot.

Our class really enjoyed their treat!

While our main focus in Writer’s Workshop was How To Books, I also noticed some impressive work during the kid’s independent time.  During our non-fiction unit our class has been talking a lot about using resources to help you write.  I asked many times, “How are you supposed to write about penguins if you do not know that much about them?  Use resources!”  I was so proud today when I walked around the class and saw nearly half of the class doing just that!  They were looking through books to get facts and help with illustrations. The kids are becoming such great writers!

Nytaiya is using a bird book to help in her writing.

David is using the book to help with his penguin illustrations!

Max & Reid are using snake books to add more facts to their writing!

So, we had indoor recess today.  When I came back from my lunch break, I walked into some of the kiddos walking into the classroom hooked together like a train and singing a song they had learned while in Mrs. Grotjan’s room.  Then, as the other friends came in to the classroom from Mrs. Argus and Miss Estridge’s rooms they just joined in the fun of the train link.  There was no instruction from me.  The children just hooked on and had a BLAST singing this song and having fun together.  It was a fun and unifying moment for our class that I had no part except being part of the train and enjoying the fun.

We began reading Charlotte’s Web today, and I cannot even tell you how engaged the children were when I read chapter 1.  I am really excited to continue to read this book as well as have engaging conversations about the content.