First Grade: Understanding personal and cultural events of families in "Who We Are"

First Grade has been learning about personal and cultural events in their “Who We Are” unit. Throughout the unit of inquiry, students examined the personal and cultural events of families. Through comparison, students also explored customs and celebrations in each other’s families and families around the world.

Various learning experiences helped the students make connections to gain intercultural understanding and respect. Here are a few of the wonderful opportunities the students had the opportunity to engage in:

·         “Long ago, people found a way to light the darkness . . . Light was so important in their lives that they came to use it in worship and in celebrations” (from “Celebrations of Light” by Nancy Luenn).

o    Students had the opportunity to explore holidays that shared a common element . . . LIGHT!!! The students were able to select the holiday they wanted to inquire into (from a list). They then went to the teacher responsible for that holiday, learned more about it and then returned to their class to share their knowledge with their classmates.

Students who chose to go to Ms. Fitch’s class learned about the Japanese festival “Obon Matsuri.” This is a festival that honors the dead; each student created a lantern to honor a loved one, keeping in line with an Obon Matsuri tradition.

o    Students also had the opportunity to learn about traditions from community members. The volunteers who agreed to speak with the children shared how their culture has impacted the traditions that they have in their family, as well as challenges and/or positive ways their culture/ traditions have changed.

Volunteer speaker shares the traditions from her culture (Chile) with Frist Grade students.

Throughout the exploration of this unit of inquiry, the students were asked to consider what they were learning from multiple perspectives. This is a powerful tool for learning about other people and cultures; thus helping students gain an understanding that the importance of family and community beliefs, customs, language, and traditions are universal. Way to go First Grade!!!

Jumping right into coding.... and having fun

How do you teach a group of 5th graders about computer coding and how to write code?   Not an easy task for even the most experienced of teachers!!!!

Mrs. Walker's 5th graders at COES today jumped right in using their Samsung Notes and an app callled Lightbot One Hour coding.  There are lots of programs and apps out there that will help to make this easier but Mrs. Walker's behind the scenes research in deciding which one to select paid off.  It seems that the students really enjoyed the chance  to make a robot walk around, turn corners and jump up and down steps.   While playing, they were learning some important concepts.  A computer will only do what it is told to do, and you cannot skip a single step or instruction if you want it to work well.  Paying attention to details and thinking a problem through from start to finish are definitely skills we want our students to develop... and judging by their engagement, it seems like a little time for fun is just the way to get started.  Check out more fun ways to learn about coding at hourofcode.com.

Career Day at COE!

Chandler Oaks recently hosted it's annual Career Day.  Students learned about a variety of in-demand careers on the broadcast, took interest inventories and explored different career choices in the library, and listened to a variety of speakers share about what they do.  Many parents gave their time to help our students learn more about some of the different jobs and fields that are available and they talked about how what they learned in school prepared them for their jobs today.  Students even came to school dressed as what they want to be when they grow up- bankers, fire fighters, teachers, scientists, police officers, business professionals, athletes and artists were a few of the careers represented.  It was a great day to help our students start thinking, planning and dreaming about their futures!

5th Grade Students Design a Green City

5th Grade students finished their Sharing the Planet unit last month. The inquired into the central idea Using and conserving resources alters our relationships with communities and environments. To show their understanding at the end of the unit, students were given the real world task of creating a "Green City" that would run entirely on alternative energy. In their presentation, students had to discuss the impact on the community and environment as well as the conditions that must be necessary for the alternative energy forms to successfully power the city. Check out some samples below from Mrs. Walker's class:

4th Grade Students Explore Soil

4th grade students recently investigated the different kinds of soil and their properties such as their ability to retain water.  Students made predictions about what would happen as they passed water through the different types.

1st Grade Reflects...I Want to Be Like

First grade students recently completed their Where We Are in Place and Time unit where they explored the central idea Exploring influential people from the past can inspire our way of life. After they studied characteristics of people who influenced the past and how people's previous actions inspire future change, students reflected on who they might want to be like. Students uploaded their photo into Phrase.it and wrote a speech bubble of who they wanted to be like and why. It is evident that this unit get students thinking about how they can use what they learned from others to make good choices today! Check out a few samples from Mrs. Moyer's class below and see the whole class by clicking here.

Ms. Wike's Class Builds and Programs Robots

Students in Ms. Wike's 3rd grade class recently completed several robotics lessons. First they tried their hand at programming using the game LightBot. This helped build their understanding of using step by step, specific instructions for their robots.  Next, they began building their robots using Lego WeDo kits.  Groups of students selected a project to build and followed Lego's schematics to put it together.  It wasn't always easy! Finally, they programmed their robots to each do a different action. Check out the pictures and videos below. You'll see a hungry alligator, twirling birds, a sleeping giant get raised by a crane and flying airplanes.  Pretty incredible- and they are only 3rd graders! I can't wait to see the things they can accomplish when they set their minds on something!

4th Graders Take a Virtual Tour of Texas- and Send Postcards!

Students in 4th grade recently took a virtual bus tour through the regions of Texas. They took notes on each region as then went. Students used Padlet, an online bulletin board tool, to collect their notes and thoughts. As an assessment, they created a postcard on a Google Drawing and wrote a letter about their favorite region, using facts and details to back up their reasons. See Ms. Barrios' class hard work below:

5th Grade Explorers Trading Cards

5th Grade recently wrapped up their Where We Are in Place and Time unit where they investigated the central idea "Human discovery and exploration shapes the individual and the world." After studying several different explorers, they made trading cards to show what they learned.  Students researched what motivated the explorers and what their impact was.  Students in Mrs. Kim's class used Microsoft Publisher to put together their cards, while students in Mrs. Walker's class utilized Google Docs.  Check out some of their awesome work below:

Links to Mrs. Walker's Class Explorer Trading Cards

1.  http://goo.gl/NgIEkW

2.  http://goo.gl/WAq1Kq

3.  http://goo.gl/PjKS9O

4.  http://goo.gl/riJCF2

5.  http://goo.gl/2KJKo4

6.  http://goo.gl/S47UKs

7.  http://goo.gl/lfvk2o

8. http://goo.gl/WIo182

9. http://goo.gl/Lf05Km

10.  http://goo.gl/1dPlFd

11. http://goo.gl/BfTC6g

12.  http://goo.gl/IcMbO6

13.  http://goo.gl/fgnEQw

14.  http://goo.gl/fWYbW1

15.  http://goo.gl/Fhhbxf

16.  http://goo.gl/A5mbfm

17.  http://goo.gl/OFjit6

18.  http://goo.gl/dD8sbN

19. http://goo.gl/jC1LlR

20.  http://goo.gl/jMFgiF

21.  http://goo.gl/Wj8Nah

Kindergarten Learns Science Safety with SLIME!

Kindergarten students got to put their Science Safety Contract rules and guidelines when they made glitter slime! Students in Mrs. Roger's class use science tools and safety gear to mix and explore their slimy concoctions!

4th Grade Investigates Culture in Who We Are Unit

4th Grade has been inquiring into the central idea "Understanding personal histories, beliefs and values fosters intercultural connectedness." As part of their unit, they invited parents with a variety of backgrounds to come talk about their histories, beliefs and values. Students asked great questions to learn more about what makes each culture unique and also how we are all tied together. Parent volunteers came from Venezuela, India and France- it was a great mix of different cultures and students really learned a lot. We really appreciate all the parents who shared with us and helped foster intercultural connectedness!

3rd Grade Economics Fair

3rd Grade students recently held their annual Economics Fair.  As part of their IB How We Organize Ourselves unit, they inquired into the central idea: Economic systems require decisions and choices that impact lives and communities. Students created goods or developed services and invited the school to come to their marketplace. Prior to the fair, all students wrote a business plan &developed marketing.
Students used Vocaroo to record radio commercials and shot a video commercial to air on our morning news program.  Check them out!
Radio Commercials


3rd graders researched options for what they would do with the profits. Groups presented their ideas and  then they voted on their favorites. This year they decided that their proceeds would benefit The Wounded Warrior Project and Austin Disaster Relief. Austin Disaster relief was chosen because they are helping with recovery efforts in West.  The Wounded Warrior Project was chosen because there are several students that parents that are active in the military.  In total, 3rd grade raised about $1500 from their fair for the community!

Blogging in the Classroom: Kinder and 4th Grade Students Think, Wonder and Reflect

This year, two classes have started blogging in the classroom with a great tool called KidBlog.  Both Kindergarten and 4th grade students started blogs this spring as an opportunity to write and express their ideas and wonders for a wider audience.  Students have written about their activities at school and in their daily lives, things they wonder about, and their reflections of the day. In just over a month of blogging, the two classes have received over 2700 views!  Pretty amazing!

Kinder blog samples:

4th grade samples:

We hope you will hop over to their blogs and check them out.  One of the best things a blog author can get is some great feedback and comments.  So if you like what you see, or you have some thoughts or questions of you own, I know our students would love some comments!  (By the way, for student safety, all comments are moderated by the teacher, so your comment will need teacher approval before it can be viewed by others.)

Mrs. Morehead's Kindergarten Class

Mrs. Ganong's 4th Grade Class

4th Grade Investigates the Uses of Water

4th Grade students in Ms. Barrios' class searched for uses of water and categorized them using an online Web 2.0 tool called Padlet. Students saw how much water we use for "fun/entertainment" and decided that sometimes that is actually wasting water. They took action and decided to come up with ways to conserve water in their everyday use so they wouldn't feel so bad using "fun water" during the summer. What an awesome example of doing something with your learning! This activity is part of their "Sharing the Planet" unit where they are exploring the central idea, The availability of usable water affects people's opportunities.

Check out their work!
http://padlet.com/wall/id8man1tis
http://padlet.com/wall/63vuhykvfw
http://padlet.com/wall/ewcm57a424
http://padlet.com/wall/mk84okcmms

5th Grade Presents: Artists, Musicians & Authors That Reflect Our Values

Students in 5th grade just completed a research project as part of their How We Express Ourselves unit. The were studying the central idea Art, music and literature can express the values and influence the culture of the time. Students were asked to research an artist/author/musician that reflected their values and present to the class. Students passion came though in their presentations and we were able to learn a lot about what they value and find important.  In this example, you can see that Caleb is passionate about I.M. Pei's architecture- he even dressed up as him!

4th Grades Take Action!

4th Grade studetns are investigating the central idea, The availability of usable water affects people’s opportunities, in their Sharing the Planet unit.  Ms. Gray’s 4th grade class was inspired by a guest speaker from Round Rock Water to clean the trash from the reading garden. The speaker told the students one way to keep our water supply clean is to keep the trash out of the environment, so students decided to start in their own back yard!  Many students use the Reading Garden, so Mrs. Gray's class helped both other students and the water supply.  That's putting learning in action!

Kindergarten Investigates: WORMS!

Kindergarten students got their hands dirty ins science this week.  In their exploration of living and nonliving things, they had the opportunity to compare gummy worms and real night-crawlers   Students used their observation skills to describe both worms and make note of similarities and differences.  

5th Grade Gets Inspired by Art

5th Grade is currently in their How We Express Ourselves unit of inquiry. 

Their central idea is:  Art, music and literature can express the values and influence the culture of the time
And the lines of inquiry:
1. Art reflects the values of a time period
2. The legacy of artistic contributions
3. How artists craft their art, music & literature to convey their message

Students looked at a variety of pieces of art then wrote a creative writing piece inspired by one of the works of art.  Once students are done with their piece, they will compare their story with what actually inspired the artist to create the piece.  Have you studied these pieces before?  What message do they convey to you?  

Kinder Kids Dig Into Research

Kindergarten students have been honing their research skills using nonfiction texts and Pebble Go! (one of our library databases . Students inquired into what makes their animal unique and able to survive in it's environment then wrote and illustrated a book to share their findings.

Kindergarten Paperslides

Kindergarten students recently wrapped up their Where We are in Place and Time IB unit. Their central idea was: Homes are unique all over the world. They inquired into: types of shelter, the difference between home & shelter, and organisms without a home. As their summative (end of unit) assessment, students did a "paperslides" project. The students picked an organism and drew them with and without a home. The students then recorded their slides and explained their learning.  Check out a few samples below: