Since we started school a mere 20 school days ago, this 5/6 crew is learning how to get to know each other through Morning Meeting, Crew, and Academic activities. Through constant attention to how we want to be treated and thinking about our actions and words, we are creating a secure learning environment where each person knows they can question and wonder, compliment and notice.
Learning off campus
The two off campus trips to the Moscow Cemetery and the Paradise Ropes Challenge Course gave us ample opportunity to better know ourselves and each other. At the cemetery, the sexton, said how pleased he was with their research and questions.
The kids wanted to help out there and we may be able to be of service by raking leaves one day soon. Take a trip to this lovely cemetery and your child can show you so many of the headstones that were carved by George Mooney.
In fact, this weekend, a handful of students went back to the Ropes Course to work and help Mr. Haley with tasks that needed to be done on the ridge--one such item was installing 'Semolina's Bell' at the top of an 85 foot bull pine.
We also had P.E. and Reader's Workshop at Berman Park. While there on a sunny afternoon, the crew practiced hand off, pitching and spiraling footballs with lots of space. Before that, we read and recorded 'internal dialogue and setting' information from our books. We also debriefed there about why having P.E. in a larger space to practice helped us.
More off campus learning will happen this month as we are beginning research at the UI Library. We will be in the Map Room and the Government Documents Room and the stacks. Last Spring, our trip the the UI library helped the kids see how much information there is on one topic, and how to find it and use it. We will continue this work with Dave Remington and Rami Attebury.
Learning on campus
The coolest and most interesting thing for 5/6 was having 19 year old Jacob Parker author of Kestrel's Midnight Song visit during Writer's Workshop and talk about writing. He started seriously wanting to write a novel in 4th and 5th grade. He gave details about his thinking for creating characters and how to organize material. He also talked about how revision was essential and getting to know the ins and outs of the publishing world. We hope to have him back in mid November as he is working on his second novel. We reading his work and anaylzing different parts. He is excited for our feedback.
Ms. Bonzo's PPSEL 5-6 Crew... Be sure to scroll past the posts to get to all the pictures... This is the blog for the 5th and 6th graders at Palouse Prairie School of Expeditionary Learning. These kids are terrific and these pages and pictures are for their parents and community to know what they are doing and learning with a focus on the 10 Design Principles of Expeditionary Learning.
