January/February Highlights
Language Arts: A Wonder-filled Passion Project
Math: Million Dollar Mania
- Are there topics or interests that you have always been interested in learning about or exploring, but you have never had time to do so? Students have begun an independent study titled "A WONDER-filled PASSION Project" that empowers them to learn about topics that have always "wondered" about. Students have recently determined their topics and have developed research questions geared towards each of the topics. Using various websites, You Tube, TV shows, and other forms of media, students will conduct research to turn their "wonder-ings" into "understand-ings." After gaining this knowledge, students will select ONE of their topics that they wish to explore in-depth. This in-depth portion of the project is called the "Passion Project." Students will conduct further research to become an expert on their chosen topic. Finally, the class will compile all of their learning by writing and developing a magazine that focuses on our class "Wonder" topics. Students will have the freedom to choose how they wish to showcase their learning as it relates to the passion project!
Math: Million Dollar Mania
- What would you do if you won $1,000,000!?! The Million Dollar Mania is underway! Students have "won" $1,000,000 and have to decide how they will spend it. Over the past few weeks, students have been spending their money (within certain limits and parameters). Students have learned how record transactions and they have been balancing their checkbook. Students have also learned how to handle "unexpected events" as they were surprised with various deductions or deposits! Next, students will use their expenditures to learn about fractions, decimals, and percents. Students will create graphs to represent how they spent their money. Then, students will write a short essay to further analyze their choices. Finally, each child will put together a visual showcase to share how they "spent" $1,000,000!