This week we had the pleasure having the San Antonio Water Authority come speak to our ALPHA kiddos. Usually, I explain what we learned for the week. This week I'm going to encourage you to ask your kiddos what they learned in class. Here are some dinner questions: What special presenter came to your ALPHA class? What was her reason for coming to visit your class? Why is the San Antonio River important? Where does the San Antonio River begin? Where does the San Antonio River end? What happens when it rains in SA? What is a watershed? Have them explain it with hand motions. What is infiltration? What is run-off? Why can't we swim in the SA River? What are 3 things we can do to help the SA River? Please visit their website for more information or to find special community events. https://www.sara-tx.org/events/community_events.php |
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This week we finished our last rain forest challenge. Students were allowed to choose the most interesting rain forest floor animal and do a little research on it. One part of the challenge was to find the actual measurements of the animal (length and height) and then draw it on butcher paper. As you know pictures never do the animal's true size any justice. For example the Harpie Eagle... Did you know that the harpie eagle's wing span measure 6 feet wide and he measures 3 feet tall. They can see 1 inch objects from 220 feet away. I could tell my kiddos all day long and explain how big that is, but they truly won't get it into they measure it out and see it for themselves.
This week, in ALPHA, your little one was a zoologist in training. In order to become official zoologists they had to successfully complete several challenges. They were required to work with others to better understand the importance of plant and animal adaptations in the different layers of the Rainforest.
Below is an example of a challenge: Emergent Challenge : Eagle Eye The harpy eagle is the rainforests top predator. They use their deadly, 5 inch talons to grab prey from the trees. With a wingspan that can reach over 6 feet, they can fly through the trees with great agility. One of the most impressive features is their eyesight. Harpy eagles can see 1 inch objects from over 220ft away! Eyesight is important to predators. For this challenge you will experience how important it is! Materials: eye patch or eye cover, bean bags, masking tape, 1 yard stick Directions: First, use the masking tape to create a 12 ft straight line on the ground. Use the yard stick to get the exact measurements. Then you and 1 of your teammates will stand on each end of the tape. Stand across from your partner and cover one eye with an eye patch. Your partner will throw the beanbag towards you making sure the bean bag crosses your body. Try to snatch it from the air. Now try the other eye. Any difference? Now use both of your amazing eyes. Which was easier? Why was one way easier? How does this help the harpy eagle and other predators? As, you can tell from this one challenge, students learned more than about the Harpie Eagle's great eyesight and how it can help them survive. I threw in some math, but more importantly, they were required to use creative problem solving skills as a team...this isn't always so easy for GT kiddos. They are so use to being leaders in the regular classroom. I'm sure their classmates really appreciate their leadership skills, but put them with a group of other GT kiddos and things can get a little hairy. I heard things like...."That's all wrong! You're doing it ALL wrong!" and "I know how to do it, let me just do it!" I couldn't help but chuckle a little...GT kiddos can be bossy pants!:) I don't blame them...they are use to knowing the answer and getting the task done quickly. I had to gently remind my little bossy pants to be leaders rather than bosses. Leaders work together, leaders listen, leaders share their point of view, leaders respect other's point of view, a leader is positive. Other challenges we completed this week were: Canopy Monkeys and Understory Frogs We will continue more challenges next week. We still need a couple more rolls of masking tape and lots of newspaper (we won't be able to complete one of our challenges next week without it) Thank you to the Schneider Family for the 2 rolls of masking tape! We really appreciated it! |