The big idea of what we are learning:
The people who have changed our world in positive ways were all curious. Curiosity begins with a question just like all science investigations.
One student's idea:
"Now we use the 5 C's!" Brilliant! - We will add curiosity to our 4 C's of communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity that drive our learning and prepare us for our digital futures.
While learning about Thomas Edison today, a few phenomenal discussion points could be discussed at home:
- > 1,000 inventions - name a few
- 1,000 patents - what is it, how do you get it, what does it do?
- connection to Walt Disney - 3 weeks ago Disney was granted a patent for using augmented reality on a birthday cake (fact :) )
- Inquiries about how to get a patent led to discussions and a challenge for them. I shared an idea based on what the questioning minds are interested in - their passions. What was the idea for a patent opportunity for them?
- They want to create a prototype! :) On the way to lunch they were choosing roles for themselves.
Their curiosity really will change the world! :) We will apply STEAM and design prototypes, test them, improve them, and record our discoveries. (I better start shopping for materials!)
In math, we are beginning a weekly math review that incorporates all math concepts and builds upon them each week. Today we finished our first ones for the week together. We also finished a four day CGI project with an emphasis on graphing and analyzing data of sights from Flat Stanley's winter break vacation.
The children are busy improving their snap circuit designs, sharing ideas, and exploring new ways to light up, buzz, or get their motors running. :) Across the disciplines, we reviewed the nervous system and circulatory system big ideas related to circuits, enjoyed our circuit training, and reviewed other words to make connections (bicycle, tricycle, circulation, recycle, etc.).
??? How is your nervous system a circuit?
??? How is your circulatory system a circuit?
??? What are you building on your circuit?
??? What are you curious about?
??? How are you keeping track of your Curiosity Collections in class?
In writing, we created a graphic organizer of information we have learned about Thomas Edison that will help us write his biography which will be added to each child's biographical collection book and later to our ebook.
(FYI - If your child asks you to download an app to a smartphone or iPad, then he/she is quite clever. :) He/She has something only known to us that will only be shared by your child. The app says over the age of 12, but don't worry. It's a European company with a safety disclaimer to cover itself from unknown various uses by the end user. As the end user, you control the actions. There are no ads, videos, words, etc. The only other accessible item is a small ad link at the bottom to another harmless app. It is perfectly safe, unique, and AMAZING when used for the intended purpose. :) )
