January 26, 2012

Energy in full force!

http://www.slideshare.net/ismes/where-does-energy-come-from-for-updating

I am sharing you a power point of some energy rotation activities that has been happening these past weeks.  Since we started, Ms. Camille and I join a third grade class to support the learning of wind, fossil fuel, biomass, chemical, solar and hydro energy. I am sure by now the excitement is growing and students are sharing some fun activities such as eating melted chocolate “baked” from a solar oven, or watching water power rotate a turbine, observing the changes in mass, using wind power to propel a pinwheel to spin in full force, and being aware of the difference between “renewable” and “non renewable” sources of energy.

In literacy, during our pull out classes focus has been on spelling of high frequency words; in particular, on short and long vowel sounds, vowel combinations e.g. ou, ow, ai, etc. I encourage the students to use spelling strategies such as SAY, LOOK, SPELL , and CHECK the word before mastery.  Also, we have reviewed the spelling of basic high frequency words to make for better spellers when writing in sentences.

A week at a glance…

Since school started, I have encouraged my students to talk about their experiences during the holiday.  While still on the location unit, they talk about their experiences while viewing the world map.  They use specific verbs to describe what they did e.g. skiing in the snow, visiting grandparents, etc… and they ask questions about the holidays. Since most of them did not leave the country, they have a lot to share about the fireworks on New Year’s Eve and buying and exchanging of gifts during the holidays.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ismanilaes/sets/72157628805146123/show/

Though it is only a week since we started school, there has been a lot of activities that keep the students occupied.  It is this week that the performance assessment of the Location unit about a cultural exchange project was presented. Each class has different groups with a special presentation showing the student’s understanding of the question, “How does where we live affect how we live?”

A new unit on Energy was launched on Tuesday in the Little Theatre where all the Grade 3 gathered into small groups to identify and match pictures. These mysterious photos were samples of different forms of energy such as solar, biomass, chemical, hydro, wind and renewable and non renewable energy sources.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ismanilaes/sets/72157628805290931/show/

In preparing for this unit, I will encourage parents to explore the energy sources that we need in our everyday lives e.g. electricity for the lights, kitchen tools e.g. blender and even battery operated toys. Please have your child think and ask questions, e.g.  Where does energy come from? Why do we need energy? Also, it will help if your child can bring an electronic dictionary or a hard bound dictionary to unlock some vocabulary.

Next week, the students will discover more about different energy sources through rotation activities that will be presented by the homeroom teachers. The ESL students will join the ESL teacher in these activities.  There will be guest speakers and fieldtrips to places in the local community such as a visit to Meralco, the plant that distributes power to industry and household consumers.

On Monday, the Pagcaliwagan Lightning Hamsters came to the ESL class in full force to enjoy fun filled activities. It was a good way for both groups to socialize and speak in their own native languages. Boys evidently chose to do puzzles and Lego building and girls did letter writing and preparing their candy bags. Many activities were on the wish list of some students ready for a treat after doing some hard work in their ESL classes. Thank you to Ms. Camille who did such a marvelous job with the preparations!