Sustained Inquiry
9/29/2017
What does sustained inquiry mean? The dictionary defines "sustained" as continuing for an extended period of time and "inquiry" as an act of asking for information. Sustained Inquiry is an essential element of Project-Based Learning. How does that look like in the classroom? Students are engaged in a rigorous, extended process of asking questions, finding resources, and applying information. At PNA, students are encouraged to ask questions, take risks, give feedback, make mistakes and try again. Read some of the students' questions.
In third grade, the teacher is not the only source of information or knowledge. This week, students got to meet a real engineer! Engineer Snisarenko is the Vice President for Michael Baker International, a leading provider of engineering, development, intelligence and technology solutions. Their company is known for pipeline engineering in Alaska. He came to visit third grade and teach them physical science that will help them with their project! Third grade students also pitched their project and got some valuable feedback from the engineer. Watch the videos below to see snippets of the class.
We've Got School Spirit!Arcade Challenge Launched
9/23/2017
At PNA, we use Project Based Learning as a teaching method to help students learn better. A project motivates students to gain knowledge, retain content longer, and apply the skills to relevant real-world situation. The 21st century skills embedded in the process will help students succeed in the future, both in school and the work world. In third grade, the project is called The Arcade Game Challenge that will last about 3-4 weeks. Based on NGSS Standards, the learning objectives are: - To plan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence of the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on the motion of an object. - To make observations and/or measurements of an object’s motion to provide evidence that that a pattern can be used to predict future motion. Hook 'Em!
The project's Driving Question, which focuses our work, is "How can we, as engineers, create arcade games for Kid's Kitchen?" Students will also host a Game Day at PNA where other students will be encouraged to bring carrots and broccoli to play. The final product (and the vegetables) will be brought to Kid's Kitchen where third grade students will have an opportunity to eat dinner and play with underprivileged children. Students will be assessed individually on their content knowledge, their collaboration skills, and their presentation skills. Parents are encouraged to discuss the project at home, to motivate students to think hard and ask questions. Please check out our newsletter every week to follow third grade's journey.
Breaking Out of Comfort Zone
9/15/2017
At PNA, we encourage students to take risks and have the courage to step out of their comfort zone. We help students manage transitions by developing routines and allowing them to make mistakes. We provide opportunities where students can step out of their comfort zone and realize that everything is going to be okay. Third grade went on a hike with fourth and fifth graders this week. It was windy and chilly, it was definitely not the perfect weather to go on a hike! Students had to walk with a teacher and some kids from another class. They had to step out of their comfort zone by staying positive and engaging in conversations with people they just met. It was not easy but each student had a great time. Some of them said they enjoyed running up the hill. One of the kids had the best time finding bugs. A couple of kids shared they liked talking to the other kids. Although it was something new and challenging, every student came back to school with a smile on their face. It was a new experience and one step forward to becoming flexible and resilient. Source: Klein, T. (2014, April 14). The Kids are Alright But They Don't Like Change. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com.
A Positive Learning Environment
9/8/2017
Pacific Northern Academy educates students to become independent thinkers of vision, courage, and integrity. We want to provide students a positive learning environment where they feel safe to take risks and take responsibility for their actions. In third grade, students worked together to create classroom guidelines that serve as their road map to reaching their hopes and dreams. Students individually contributed what they think we should include in our classroom guidelines. Then, they brainstormed and discussed with a partner. Finally, as a class, we consolidated our list and decided on our final guidelines. Since students created their own classroom rules or guidelines, they feel that they have a sense of ownership and accountability.
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Jessica GrahamMs. Graham graduated from the University of Alabama with a BS in Early Childhood/Elementary Education, and is currently working on her master's in reading. She enjoys hiking, traveling, arts & crafts, and playing the ukulele. Archives
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