We had a great time at Diversity Day today! The students did a fantastic job researching and presenting their findings. It was really neat to hear about all the different things our students learned!! Thank you to all the parents who were able to make it to this event. Of course, I understand if you were unable to make it to the event and I will be posting pictures and videos of our experience online so you can see the wonderful work your child did as well!
Once again, thank you for your continued participation!!
Monday, May 3, 2010
We're Almost There!
We had another great day today! Students worked on pulling everything together today in preparation for our diversity day. We used the Fiesta! book series which helped students explore some of the countries their ancestors were from. Students were also able to explore online as well and research some sites I found previously by going to http://delicious.com/geigerkara .
The students and I are really looking forward to Diversity Day at the end of this week. Remember, students need to finish reading their novel for their literature circle, interview a family member, and create a family tree. Other than that, they are encouraged to be as creative as possible!
If you are able to come and join our class for diversity day, we would love to have you. Please e-mail me and let me know if you will be able to join us for this special day!
The students and I are really looking forward to Diversity Day at the end of this week. Remember, students need to finish reading their novel for their literature circle, interview a family member, and create a family tree. Other than that, they are encouraged to be as creative as possible!
If you are able to come and join our class for diversity day, we would love to have you. Please e-mail me and let me know if you will be able to join us for this special day!
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Update after lesson #3!
I am learning so much about the different students and we are having a fabulous time exploring the diverse backgrounds of everyone in the class!
Today we experimented using Google Maps to create a visual of the countries students' families came from. Students were able to map as many countries of origin as they knew of. Google Maps also allows for students to draw lines to connect the various countries to see the different distances your ancestors traveled. It was really neat to see and we had a great discussion about the journey they must have had! (And how hard it must have been for them!)
We also created a class map where we were able to compare all of the different countries our ancestors came from. We have a diverse class from many different places and different experiences to share! It will certainly make for an interesting year as we learn about one another's cultures and traditions.
Students should be continuing to work on their family interviews, family trees, and reading their multicultural novel. Also, if you have any questions about Diversity Day please let me know. It is coming up quickly!
Today we experimented using Google Maps to create a visual of the countries students' families came from. Students were able to map as many countries of origin as they knew of. Google Maps also allows for students to draw lines to connect the various countries to see the different distances your ancestors traveled. It was really neat to see and we had a great discussion about the journey they must have had! (And how hard it must have been for them!)
We also created a class map where we were able to compare all of the different countries our ancestors came from. We have a diverse class from many different places and different experiences to share! It will certainly make for an interesting year as we learn about one another's cultures and traditions.
Students should be continuing to work on their family interviews, family trees, and reading their multicultural novel. Also, if you have any questions about Diversity Day please let me know. It is coming up quickly!
Monday, April 12, 2010
Update after April 12!
We had another exciting day today! Students were given the opportunity to choose a novel about a different culture. There are small groups of students reading the same books. Each night, students will read a part of their book and be responsible for writing a short reflective paragraph on Google Docs about what they read. Since everyone reading the same book will be contributing to this, it is important that students add their own individual thoughts and add onto others, but they may not change anything someone else has written. All books must be completed by May 10 (Diversity Day!)
I also went over the guidelines for the major project due Diversity Day. Students are to interview a family member who can share insight about the family heritage. They have guidelines of questions to ask and they must come up with three questions on their own. The guidelines for this project can be viewed here. If students would like to type the answers directly into this document, click "File" and then "Make a Copy". Then you have the freedom to edit this document.
I know that all families are different so I do not expect family trees to look exactly alike. Use the information you know to make a visual representation of your special family.
The students were very excited to work on these assignments and I'm certainly looking forward to seeing everyone's great work! Diversity Day should be a lot of fun for everyone involved!
I also went over the guidelines for the major project due Diversity Day. Students are to interview a family member who can share insight about the family heritage. They have guidelines of questions to ask and they must come up with three questions on their own. The guidelines for this project can be viewed here. If students would like to type the answers directly into this document, click "File" and then "Make a Copy". Then you have the freedom to edit this document.
I know that all families are different so I do not expect family trees to look exactly alike. Use the information you know to make a visual representation of your special family.
The students were very excited to work on these assignments and I'm certainly looking forward to seeing everyone's great work! Diversity Day should be a lot of fun for everyone involved!
Friday, April 9, 2010
Update After Lesson #1
Wow! We read Coming to America: The Story of Immigration together as a class today and had a great debate about whether America is more of a melting pot or a mosaic. We examined both sides of the argument and had good reasonings behind each one.
The students had the opportunity to learn how to use FlickR today (http://www.flickr.com/), an online site that provides free photos. The students searched for pictures that demonstrated the diversity America has and made mosaic people out of them. Some students did not finish, so you may be seeing them at home. These must be completed and ready for Diversity Day on Monday, May 10.
We didn't get a chance to choose literature novels today, so we will be doing that tomorrow! Also, be on the lookout for guidelines about an interview for a family member and about creating your own family tree!
The students had the opportunity to learn how to use FlickR today (http://www.flickr.com/), an online site that provides free photos. The students searched for pictures that demonstrated the diversity America has and made mosaic people out of them. Some students did not finish, so you may be seeing them at home. These must be completed and ready for Diversity Day on Monday, May 10.
We didn't get a chance to choose literature novels today, so we will be doing that tomorrow! Also, be on the lookout for guidelines about an interview for a family member and about creating your own family tree!
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Welcome!
Welcome 5th grade students, families, and friends! I will be using this blog to update everyone on happenings in our exciting 5th grade classroom. We will be doing a lot of cool projects and activities this year, and I want everyone to be able to appreciate the great work the students do! I will be updating this blog at least once a week, so be sure to check back frequently to see the latest activities. Also, if anyone has any questions, comments, or concerns feel free to comment on my posts or email me at geigerk@etown.edu. I love to hear feedback from parents
Our first unit we will be doing is on family heritage. This will give the students a great opportunity to learn about where they came from and a little bit of history about it. At the end of the week, we will be sharing our final projects so everyone can learn a little bit about one another. We are going to be spending a lot of time together this year so we want to become a community of learners. Through this project, students will be able to learn about themselves and their families, as well as families around the world. We are all different and that's a good thing!
Here is a basic outline of the topics we are going to explore:
Day #1: Introduction to family heritage- What is it? What does it mean to us? How do you determine your family heritage? Students will also learn and debate about whether America is more like a melting pot or a mosaic.
We will also be choosing books for our literature circle on this day. Books will be assigned for groups of approximately 4 students. Students will read selected parts from their book each night and be asked to write reflections and/or answer questions according to the book. Students may choose a book describing their own heritage, or the heritage of another culture.
Day #2: Students will be sent on a web-quest to find out information about at least one country of their heritage. If students have trouble determining this, let me know and we'll figure something else out! All information collected on this day will be part of the final project.
Day #3: We will be using Google Maps and Google Earth to create a map of the world depicting countries of origin. Then, students will be able to use Google Earth to explore actual images of the country(ies) that their family came from.
Day #4: Students will be given the opportunity to continue perusing for information on the topic chosen online to finish up their final project. They will also be able to search for pictures online to include in their final presentation. The form of presentation for the final project will vary, but today is a day to tie up any loose odds and ends and prepare for the celebration tomorrow!
Day #5: Everyone gets to come in and present their hard work! Students will be expected to give a 3-5 minute presentation on the research found. Creativity is encouraged and students may choose to teach the class a game, make a craft, bring in food, etc. If any parents would like to come present artifacts, talk, or just observe on this day you are more than welcome!
At the end of the last day, I would like to include pictures from the presentations and activities online so those who couldn't make it can see. I will be sending home a Media Release Form with students at the beginning of the week. Please send it back and let me know if you do not want me to include pictures of your child or any of their work on the web-page.
Like I said before, don't be afraid to contact me with any questions or concerns. I'm so excited to kick off this year and celebrate the diversity in our classroom!
Our first unit we will be doing is on family heritage. This will give the students a great opportunity to learn about where they came from and a little bit of history about it. At the end of the week, we will be sharing our final projects so everyone can learn a little bit about one another. We are going to be spending a lot of time together this year so we want to become a community of learners. Through this project, students will be able to learn about themselves and their families, as well as families around the world. We are all different and that's a good thing!
Here is a basic outline of the topics we are going to explore:
Day #1: Introduction to family heritage- What is it? What does it mean to us? How do you determine your family heritage? Students will also learn and debate about whether America is more like a melting pot or a mosaic.
We will also be choosing books for our literature circle on this day. Books will be assigned for groups of approximately 4 students. Students will read selected parts from their book each night and be asked to write reflections and/or answer questions according to the book. Students may choose a book describing their own heritage, or the heritage of another culture.
Day #2: Students will be sent on a web-quest to find out information about at least one country of their heritage. If students have trouble determining this, let me know and we'll figure something else out! All information collected on this day will be part of the final project.
Day #3: We will be using Google Maps and Google Earth to create a map of the world depicting countries of origin. Then, students will be able to use Google Earth to explore actual images of the country(ies) that their family came from.
Day #4: Students will be given the opportunity to continue perusing for information on the topic chosen online to finish up their final project. They will also be able to search for pictures online to include in their final presentation. The form of presentation for the final project will vary, but today is a day to tie up any loose odds and ends and prepare for the celebration tomorrow!
Day #5: Everyone gets to come in and present their hard work! Students will be expected to give a 3-5 minute presentation on the research found. Creativity is encouraged and students may choose to teach the class a game, make a craft, bring in food, etc. If any parents would like to come present artifacts, talk, or just observe on this day you are more than welcome!
At the end of the last day, I would like to include pictures from the presentations and activities online so those who couldn't make it can see. I will be sending home a Media Release Form with students at the beginning of the week. Please send it back and let me know if you do not want me to include pictures of your child or any of their work on the web-page.
Like I said before, don't be afraid to contact me with any questions or concerns. I'm so excited to kick off this year and celebrate the diversity in our classroom!
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