Kanwisher's Kids

4th Grade

Get ready to head off to the tropical rainforest to research the plants, animals, people and other elements that contribute to this unique biome.  We will study the past,  present and future of the world's rainforest to understand the riches of this special environment and how destroying it impacts the world.  Activities include studying the layers of the rainforest and the diversity of each, locations of the world's rainforest , along with researchng indigenous plants and animals to help us create our model rainforest.

2nd Grade

Our classes will venture into the "Shadows of the Night" as we discover the unique and beneficial mammal, the bat.  We will soar through the habitats, characteristics and flight details of this amazing animal to discover why people are so afraid of bats.  Activities include creating bat houses, classifying different types of bats, and learning bat anatomy.  Through our research we will discover why bats are endangered and how we might help to prevent their extinction.

Marvelous May

It is hard to believe that school is almost over for the year!  We are working hard to complete our units and wind things up for the year.  If you have noticed boxes in our rooms it is because we are packing furiously in order for our rooms to be ready for a fresh coat of paint.

Fifth Grade

          We are very excited about the shark dissection.  The students are studying hard to pass the three tests required in order to dissect.  The big day is May 14, with a rain date on May 16.  Thanks in advance to the parents who have volunteered to help with the dissection.  This activity will end the year with great excitement.

Fourth Grade

          The children have been working hard on programming the tankbots.  They are well prepared for the beginning of next year.  Thanks to the PTA and the After School Program for donating money for the NXT Robotic Kits.  This will certainly help us for competition. 

Third Grade

          We have learned so much about money, careers and banking.  Exploring the careers has shown the students a wide range of possibilities for the future.  Thanks to the parents who have volunteered their time to tell us about their career. 

Second Grade

          The Second Grade has been pleasantly surprised about what they have discovered about Dr. Suess and Snakes.  They have enjoyed learning how to do a Power Point presentations.

First Grade

          The First Grade has really taken off and we are very impressed with their ability to think logically.  They have discovered many multiple intelligences in our Stepping into Target Unit.  We have enjoyed comparing and contrasting Cinderella stories from around the world.  We have used the stories to write sensory poems, discover elements of a story and to learn about measurement.

Fantastic February

Testing is almost finished!                                                                               1/29/07

Gifted classes begin again this week as students in grades 2-5 will come to class for a half day .We will complete the testing and notify first and second grade parents by the end of the week.New first grade students will begin classes next Friday.Please return paperwork as soon as possible.

New Units are unveiled!

Our upcoming units include the following;first grade will enjoy "Stepping into Target"second grade students chose either snakes or Seuss, third grade will study economics,fourth grade will learn robotics,and fifth grade will learn about sharks.

Field Trip for Fifth Grade

Our trip to the Georgia coastal islands is scheduled for March14,15, and 16.remember that the final balance is due January 31,2007.The balance for students is $180.00, and $205.00 for parent.

Target News

I hope that you had a wonderful winter break and are well rested. A.L.P. has a busy month of testing ahead. We will begin testing with the first grade and will work our way up through the various grade levels. Target will begin again at the end of the January testing period with many new smiling faces. Our new units include; Stepping Into Target for first grade, Second Grade will study The Seuss, the whole Seuss, and nothing but the Seuss , Money Matters for Third Grade, Gadgets ,Gizmos, and Robotics for fourth, and d Predators of the Aquatic Biome in Fifth. We will have our Fifth Grade fieldtrip to Cumberland Island on March 14, 15, and 16.

Fifth Grade Robotics

The students have been busy building with Legos and we have three CRX robots. Our class has three teams and we will compete against Mrs.Duggan's class and Mrs.Picardi's class.The two teams that score the most points will go to the Regional competitions.The teams are set and working on programming and movement,and sensors. The tables are almost constructed and hopefully will be completed this week. The students have received the mission. They need to research as much as they can about nanotechnology because they will present a five minute presentation as part of the competition. I am learning sooo much! The kids are amazing at this is a fun learning experience.

Third Grade Rides the Range

Third Grade Rides the Range

Howdy Partners! I have really enjoyed learning about cowboys with your students. We have had a great time creating western wear for each cowboy. As they” hang around” the room each cowboy is displaying his or her finest. The field trip was fantastic and I was delighted to see how much the students have learned. The Booth western museum was very interesting, Ci-Ci’s was delicious, and the Etowah Indian Mounds were windy and challenging to climb. Thank you to Jon Edwards for chaperoning the girls. He is familiar with all the gift shop merchandise at these sights. This week we will begin to research the various cattle trails working with our fellow ranchers. Last week, the students began to familiarize themselves with the various brands. Ask your child to show you a flying W brand or a rocking K.

Great Brains at Work in Fourth Grade

Are Fourth Graders Being Brain Washed At

Mountain View

?

We began our Great Brains unit by transforming a “brain” and building background knowledge through a computer scavenger hunt. Next, the students learned the brain vocabulary by presenting wanted posters, newspapers, and poetry. Now we are traveling “inside Brian’s brain.” When we emerge we will become Neuro-explorers and conduct cool experiments.

Second Grade Is Swine 'n' Dandy

Swine ‘N Dandy Second Graders

Why study pigs?  Throughout history, animals, especially pigs, have played an important role in all societies from food sources, to clothing and religious objects.  There are many examples of fictional pigs found in literature, film, television, and video games.  There are many places named after pigs. 

Several aspects of pigs will be explored throughout this unit.  First, students will become familiar with basic knowledge about pigs such as the lifestyle of a pig, both domestic and wild, food, habitat, appearance, habits, characteristics of different breeds of pigs, and the history of the domestication of pigs.  The students will also learn and compare the use of pigs in different societies.  The Students will examine the use of pigs in our society and learn about a variety of products which are made from pigs.  Students will also explore pigs in a variety of genres in literature and the characteristics of famous pigs in the media exploring word play, idioms, and literature with pigs as the main character.  They will compare and contrast stories and determine if the main character is a simpleton, a brave hero, or a mischievous character.  Students will research a famous Georgian and use word play to transform and personify this famous person as a pig and communicate their research to the class in an oral presentation.

One of our first big project was to make a paper maché pig.  We will be having an artistic competition with these pigs similar to the competitions held around the country with cow, horses, and turtles.  Each student will paint their pig, add details and doodads to create a one of a kind pig for the competition.  Check out our “pig pen.”

The pigs are constructed and in the process of being painted. They are a plethora of colors such as: fuchsia, turquoise, black, red, rainbow, and pink. Soon the pigs will be ready for "judging" at the fair, and for our pigs on parade. The students are researching five different breeds of pig. They are learning about the breeds origin, characteristics, color, and more.