Celebration of Frida Khalo

Using Starry Night and northern Lights to create movement and emphasis.

During the 3rd 6-weeks of school, our health lesson will cover nutrition. The students will use the MyPlate template to learn how much of each food group is healthy for their growing bodies. I encourage you to click on the link below to learn more about the recommended daily servings your family needs.

Our P.E. lessons will cover manipulative skills, such as throwing, catching, kicking, hitting and rolling for Pre-K, Kindergarten and 1st grade. While the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th graders will be developing and improving their basketball skills.

In power hour we’ve been reading Creepy Carrots! By Aaron Reynolds and having students work together to build fenced structures to keep their creepy carrots from escaping.

Reading Challenges

Every month students are sent home with a reading challenge that they can complete at home or at school.Student that return reading challenges to the library get a free book and their word displayed on the library bulletin board for the month.

Enrichment

Think of Enrichment classes as an intellectually curious environment where students are focused on research, innovation, and problem-solving. We are like an elementary Think Tank building on each

student’s unique set of characteristics and talents. During the first six weeks, we got to know each other as collaborators, creators, expert communicators, and critical thinkers.

We worked on developing and understanding the power of a positive growth mindset. Now, we are using those skills to explore complex issues and/or topics of interest and seek innovative solutions and broadened points of view. Each grade level is working toward a public display of their learning before winter break. The units of study are listed below.

2 nd Grade: Guiding question: How can I as a inventor construct a parade balloon like those in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade? Students will read about the history of the Macy’s parade and how the first balloons were constructed. They will work collaboratively with Mrs. Prewitt’s 4 th graders to construct a balloon powered by a vehicle that has been coded by students to travel along a constructed parade route.

3 rd Grade: Guiding question: How can I as an engineer construct a Mars Rover that will be able to complete a mission to explore and investigate the surface of Mars? Students will discover the possibilities for life on Mars--past, present, or our own in the future. In their groups they will research each rover and how it contributed to gathering information that will impact space exploration and colonization. Students will end their study with construction of a NASA Mars rover Perseverance and NASA’s Ingenuity helicopter, which accompanied the Perseverance Rover and was used to test powered flight on Mars. They will also give a presentation to the AVE community on what they have learned in this unit of study.

4 th Grade: Guiding question: How do certain moments in Science change scientific thinking and help us to understand something in a new way? Students chose among 8 Moments in Science and the scientists involved to study and reflect on how the change in scientific thinking brought about new discoveries and understanding. They will conduct research, create a One Pager on their topic, and present to an audience on the importance of what they have learned.

5 th Grade: Guiding question: How can we, as Alta Vista students, create a book that adequately reflects

on the history of Alta Vista Elementary and the impact its students have had on our community? Fifth grade students are compiling research on Alta Vista and its students as a legacy project as we prepare to close our doors in the Spring of 2025. This is a difficult and complex task that requires students to be researchers, writers, editors, and critics as they develop as historians. Students will publish their research in a book and present it to the community as their legacy gift.

A student in a think tank typically possesses a unique set of characteristics and qualities, as they are often part of intellectually-driven environments focused on research, innovation, and problem-solving. Here are some key characteristics you might find in a student in a think tank:

1. Intellectually Curious: Think tank students are naturally curious and have a strong desire to explore complex issues and seek innovative solutions.

2. Analytical Skills: They excel in critical thinking, data analysis, and research methods, allowing them to dissect and understand intricate problems.

3. Strong Work Ethic: Students in think tanks are usually highly motivated and have a strong work ethic.They are dedicated to their research and often work long hours to achieve their goals.

4. Interdisciplinary Knowledge: They often have a broad range of knowledge and are comfortable working across various fields, combining insights from different disciplines to approach problems from multiple angles.

5. Excellent Communication Skills: Think tank students need to be able to communicate their ideas effectively, both in writing and verbally, to share their research findings and collaborate with peers and

experts.

6. Adaptability: They can adapt to evolving challenges and quickly switch focus as new topics or problems arise.

7. Problem-Solving Abilities: Think tank students are skilled problem solvers, capable of identifying issues, proposing innovative solutions, and implementing strategies to address them.

8. Research Proficiency: They have a strong background in research methods and can collect, analyze, and interpret data to support their arguments and recommendations.

9. Collaboration: Think tank students often work in teams, so they must be adept at collaborating with others, sharing ideas, and building consensus.

10. Passion for Social Impact: Many think tank students are motivated by a desire to make a positive impact on society and address pressing issues, which can drive their research and advocacy efforts.

11. Networking Skills: Building a professional network is essential in think tanks, so students often have strong networking skills to connect with experts, policymakers, and influencers.

12. Innovative Thinking: They are encouraged to think outside the box and develop creative, out-of-the-

box solutions to complex problems.

It is important to note that these characteristics can vary depending on the specific think tank, its focus, and the field of study. Think tank students come from diverse backgrounds and may have unique qualities that align with the think tank's mission and objectives.