Celebration of Learning at the Highlands Ranch Mansion

This past Thursday the students took on the role of docents as they presented their learning of the Highlands Ranch Mansion to their families. Each child took part in creating the children's tour guide of the Highlands Ranch Mansion and used this tour guide to share the history they have learned throughout our expedition. The students took their role as docents very seriously. The tour guide the students created will be available at the mansion for all visitors. It is easy to see the sense of pride each student showed as they shared their learning with others. This was definitely a Celebration of Learning to remember!

Line Plots

Our mathematicians have been in the process of organizing and representing a set of data. The students collaborated in a small group to create a survey question, collect data, and organize the data on a line plot. They also presented their line plot to the crew and analyzed the line plot to find the range, mode, and outliers. The student's knowledge of data has grown tremendously throughout this project!

Fieldwork at the Highlands Ranch Mansion

Our historians have been hard at work! This morning, our crew visited the Highlands Ranch Mansion for the second time. During this fieldwork, the students collaborated to write an informational paragraph about the room they are studying. It was important they did this at the mansion to hear the docents expertise and clarify any questions. This paragraph, along with a student-created engaging activity, will be used in the children's version of the tour guide for the mansion. Thank you to all of the volunteers who joined us for this fieldwork. Your help was invaluable! The student's knowledge of the mansion is truly phenomenal. 

North Star Assembly

On Friday, the second-grade crew hosted our monthly North Star assembly! We spoke to the school on how we can carry our Habits of Character wherever we go. The entire presentation was our student's thoughts and ideas....amazing! The assembly began by watching a short Pixar film titled "For the Birds." After we showed this film, our students shared how the birds did/did not demonstrate the Habits of Character. Next, each class acted out scenarios of how students can show the Habits of Character throughout our school. Finally, the students chanted an inspirational quote about how your character becomes your destiny. Thank you to all the families for joining us Friday morning, and/or helping your child practice! We received many compliments on how our students were true role models for other grades.

 

 

"Watch your thoughts; they become words.

Watch your words; they become actions.

Watch your actions; they become habits.

Watch your habits; they become your character.

Watch your character; it becomes your destiny."

How do clues from the past inform us about history?

Pack your bags...we're going on an expedition! Our students have traded the job of scientist for that of a historian. They are discovering how clues from the past inform us about history. To kick off our expedition, the students witnessed a surprise disruption in our classroom (the specials teachers ran into our classroom tracking down a "mouse"). Through this disruption, the students learned about primary and secondary sources. Primary sources are recorded by a person who witnessed the event and secondary sources are recorded by someone who has gained knowledge about the event. After comparing the primary sources they wrote about the event to the secondary sources their family wrote, it was discovered that primary sources are more authentic compared to secondary sources.

To apply the student's learning to the real world, the students are historians of the Highlands Ranch Mansion. During fieldwork at the mansion, they will examine primary and secondary sources to learn about the history of the mansion. Then, they will use their knowledge to create a children's tour guide for the mansion to use during tours. Our first fieldwork opportunity brought excitement to our crew, and we cannot wait to visit again!

Valentine's Day!

On Thursday, the students spent the day celebrating Valentine's Day! We celebrated in the morning by creating heart valentines, competing in games, and opening our own Valentine's. We also were able to enjoy some tasty, healthy breakfast treats. Thank you to Jennifer Giambrone, Kimberly Eloe, and Heidi Servi for your support during the party! Also, a huge thank you to the families who donated supplies to our party. Our party was a huge success!

In the afternoon, our students were scientists. The students were given candy hearts and a cup of water, vinegar, and soda. Their job was to determine which liquid would cause the candy hearts to float, and which liquid would dissolve the candy heart. The scientists started by creating predictions and then observed the candy hearts in each liquid. The students concluded that candy hearts float in soda due to the air within the soda and candy. The students also discovered the vinegar dissolved the candy hearts since vinegar is an acid. Our students loved celebrating this special holiday with our crew!

All About That Beat-Specials Expedition

Just like our crew has expeditions, the specials team has come together to create an expedition for all of Fox Creek students. This year the expedition is titled "All About That Beat". In this expedition, the students are placed in diverse groups and collaborate together to create a performance for family members. The students have to work together to create costumes, a team logo, and synchronized dance. To kick off this expedition, the students met Mr. Chase, the owner of Aurora School of Breaking, and watched him and other break dancers share their love of dance. The students were truly AMAZED by these break dancers abilities. Mr. Chase worked with the students and taught them a few moves they can incorporate into their dance. The next few weeks will be focused on collaboration and communication. Please join us on Wednesday, February 27th at 5pm to watch our students showcase their performances. You won't want to miss this!