Have a Great Summer!
Another year of Project SEEK is over. We've really enjoyed having your children.
Due to time constraints, we were unable to watch all of Dolphin Tale, so if you're able to watch it, it's a great family movie.
Whatever you do, keep exploring! Thanks so much for sharing your children with us.
Also, many of you asked for the recipe for the crystal solution. It is: 6 T salt, 6 T bluing agent (found in the laundry aisle), 1 T ammonia, and 4 T hot water.
Due to time constraints, we were unable to watch all of Dolphin Tale, so if you're able to watch it, it's a great family movie.
Whatever you do, keep exploring! Thanks so much for sharing your children with us.
Also, many of you asked for the recipe for the crystal solution. It is: 6 T salt, 6 T bluing agent (found in the laundry aisle), 1 T ammonia, and 4 T hot water.
Open House on Tuesday!
Today students created 3-D coral reefs and worked on their research animal projects. They can't wait to show you on Tuesday night. The Open House event is an opportunity for the kids to show off what they've been doing as well as visit other classrooms with their families as they think about what class they may want to enroll in for next year.
In addition to visiting both of the Exploration: Oceans! classrooms, we hope you'll watch one or both of the performances (Sing it, Act it, Shake it! or Shakespeare's Kids) and visit the cafeteria to see what Strike it Rich is doing. You will be able to purchase a meal in the cafeteria.
Open House is from 5-7pm.
On Wednesday we plan to end our Oceans class by watching the movie "Dolphin Tale." This movie is rated PG. Please let us know if you do not want your child to watch this movie with us. Thank you!
In addition to visiting both of the Exploration: Oceans! classrooms, we hope you'll watch one or both of the performances (Sing it, Act it, Shake it! or Shakespeare's Kids) and visit the cafeteria to see what Strike it Rich is doing. You will be able to purchase a meal in the cafeteria.
Open House is from 5-7pm.
On Wednesday we plan to end our Oceans class by watching the movie "Dolphin Tale." This movie is rated PG. Please let us know if you do not want your child to watch this movie with us. Thank you!
Day Nine
Today students completed an oil spill simulation. Ask them all about what happened to their feathers! They also learned about scientific names. We're gearing up for Open House on Tuesday evening, getting ready to show you some final products that demonstrate what we've learned.
Have a great weekend, and we'll see you Monday!
Have a great weekend, and we'll see you Monday!
Day Eight
We had a great day for our extended day today! Ask your children about their special snack and their interactive adventures with the Pacific Marine Mammal Center and the Alaskan Sea Life Center. We learned such interesting things!
Extended Day is on Thursday!
Please make sure students bring a lunch! There will be a snack break and a lunch break. We have a lot of fun activities planned and look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow.
Today Ms. Schmidt's groups spent time in the computer lab to work on their animal research. Then we watched the Science Museum's IMAX film called the Deep Sea. It is very fascinating to see all of the really unusual and interesting ocean life. Tomorrow we will continue our research and then have some special activities for Extended Day. See you tomorrow!
Today Ms. Schmidt's groups spent time in the computer lab to work on their animal research. Then we watched the Science Museum's IMAX film called the Deep Sea. It is very fascinating to see all of the really unusual and interesting ocean life. Tomorrow we will continue our research and then have some special activities for Extended Day. See you tomorrow!
Day Six
Students learned about the Coriolis effect and finished reading about the rubber ducks that spilled into the ocean in 1992. We also continued work on our kelp forest. Tomorrow will be learning about tides and begin exploring ocean animal adaptations. Ms. Schmidt's class tried out the Google Expedition Goggles to explore ocean animals and habitats. On Wednesday we will continue our animal research and Thursday we have our Extended Day activities ~ don't forget a lunch and beverage for our picnic!
DAy Five
Today the students started their ocean animal research. Tomorrow we will try the google expedition activity and more research on Wednesday. Thursday is our extended day and a letter was sent home today to remind families. Please let us know if your child will be missing any time with us! Thank you!
Day Four
Today students watched a demonstration of how water temperature can cause water to move (one factor in currents). Mrs. Hillerns did this demonstration using oil and a candle, and all of the students were safe and responsible! We also finished our ocean zones foldable. You'll get to pick it up at open house. We also had a chance to try underwater simulation goggles. Part of the class got to do a hunting relay simulation; the other group will have a chance to try it on Monday. Next week we'll learn more about currents and tides, and students will begin to create their kelp forest. We'll also start looking at more animal adaptations.
Plan ahead for the extended day on Thursday next week. Students will need to bring a bag lunch. There will still be a morning snack break as well.
Plan ahead for the extended day on Thursday next week. Students will need to bring a bag lunch. There will still be a morning snack break as well.
Day Three
Today students further explored the water cycle and defined vocabulary. We'll continue that work tomorrow. Students are also still exploring animals so they can make their final choice tomorrow. They also practiced bathymetry (measuring how deep the ocean is) and created a foldable of the ocean zones.
Tonight ask your child which ocean zone they think is most interesting. You can also ask them which animal they plan to choose for their research study.
Don't forget to send a snack or money with your child every day for our snack time. Water bottles are welcome too!
Tonight ask your child which ocean zone they think is most interesting. You can also ask them which animal they plan to choose for their research study.
Don't forget to send a snack or money with your child every day for our snack time. Water bottles are welcome too!
Day Two
In Mrs. Hillerns' class, we learned today about the size of the oceans compared to the continents. The kids did a great job measuring. We also looked at the amount of water on earth and compared it to the amount of water available for drinking. Students also got a sneak peak at sonar. Tomorrow we study bathymetry.
In Ms. Schmidt’s class today we looked at an educational video on the “Friendliest Ocean Creatures.” Students will be choosing one creature to research during our time together. By watching videos and looking through science books students will be able to pick a creature to study. We also created a Continents and Ocean booklet of facts, read some of the book “Winter’s Tail,” and did two energizer games. Tomorrow we will continue to gather information and by Friday make a choice for our research. Have a great evening!
In Ms. Schmidt’s class today we looked at an educational video on the “Friendliest Ocean Creatures.” Students will be choosing one creature to research during our time together. By watching videos and looking through science books students will be able to pick a creature to study. We also created a Continents and Ocean booklet of facts, read some of the book “Winter’s Tail,” and did two energizer games. Tomorrow we will continue to gather information and by Friday make a choice for our research. Have a great evening!
Day One
It was great getting to know the kids. We can tell it's going to be a great SEEK experience this year. Today you can ask your kids about the water cycle and the egg experiment. We look forward to seeing everyone on day two.
Welcome Letter
Dear Students and Families,
Welcome to Exploration: Oceans! We are excited that so many of you were eager to learn about oceans. In fact, we’re welcoming a second teacher in order to accommodate everyone. Exploration: Oceans! will be co-taught by Kim Schmidt and Beth Hillerns, elementary teachers at Hinckley Elementary and East Central schools, respectively.
We’ll be learning about oceans through science experiments, simulations, and research. We’ll also complete some arts and crafts projects. We will explore the ocean as a place and habitat as well as learn about life in the ocean. Unfortunately due to factors beyond our control, we will not do an off-campus field trip this year, but we do have a virtual field trip planned.
We are looking forward very much to meeting all of you and getting to know you each during Project SEEK. When you come on the first day, be ready to share why you chose this class AND what you hope to learn and/or what questions you have about oceans. Finally, bring a good attitude and some determination. We can’t wait to meet you and explore together. Let’s grow our brains!
Best wishes,
Ms. Schmidt Mrs. Hillerns
[email protected] [email protected]
P.S. If you have any empty toilet paper or paper towel tubes or any cardboard egg cartons to donate for projects, please send them with your child on the first day.
Welcome to Exploration: Oceans! We are excited that so many of you were eager to learn about oceans. In fact, we’re welcoming a second teacher in order to accommodate everyone. Exploration: Oceans! will be co-taught by Kim Schmidt and Beth Hillerns, elementary teachers at Hinckley Elementary and East Central schools, respectively.
We’ll be learning about oceans through science experiments, simulations, and research. We’ll also complete some arts and crafts projects. We will explore the ocean as a place and habitat as well as learn about life in the ocean. Unfortunately due to factors beyond our control, we will not do an off-campus field trip this year, but we do have a virtual field trip planned.
We are looking forward very much to meeting all of you and getting to know you each during Project SEEK. When you come on the first day, be ready to share why you chose this class AND what you hope to learn and/or what questions you have about oceans. Finally, bring a good attitude and some determination. We can’t wait to meet you and explore together. Let’s grow our brains!
Best wishes,
Ms. Schmidt Mrs. Hillerns
[email protected] [email protected]
P.S. If you have any empty toilet paper or paper towel tubes or any cardboard egg cartons to donate for projects, please send them with your child on the first day.