Friday, September 27, 2013

September 27, 2013 The Seven Continents and Five Oceans

The Navigators and the Explorers are studying the explorers of the world and have discovered many things so far:
  • There were already people in North and South America: the Incas, the Mayas and the Aztecs of South and Central America and the Native Americans and First Nations of North America. Several  of these civilizations were quite advanced.
  • The Vikings had settlements in North America 500 years before Christopher Columbus.
  • The Vikings had a different alphabet called runes.
  • Marco Polo told great tales of China and the riches found there.
  • People of Europe were very afraid of the unknown waters of the oceans.
  • They believed the earth is round but didn't realize how big it is. As a matter of fact, they didn't realize there were entire continents in the way of sailing west to the riches of the East.
  • We have benefited from the mistakes of the explorers!
 
 
And I, Mrs. Towne, have discovered that there are FIVE oceans, not four as I was taught many years ago!
 
 
This is a video of the Explorers and the Navigators singing a song about the seven continents and the FIVE oceans of the world.
 

Mrs. Towne (in ancient runes)

Friday, September 20, 2013

September 20, 2013 A day in the life of a Navigator

Another Math Adventure

Math: Buying decorations for our individual treasure chests. 

Math: Do I have enough money (base 10 blocks)?

Math: Decorating our treasure boxes with jewels and baubles bought at the market

Math: These jewels I bought look great on my treasure box!

Math: A treasure box full of treasures

Social Studies: Who was in North America and South America when the Explorers came?

Technology: Home row ready!

Technology: Dance mat typing--a great way to learn to type

Technology: The way of the future

Gathering: I pledge allegiance to the flag / J'engage ma fidélité au drapeau ...

Gathering: Many are involved in cross-country running


RECESS!

PIZZA FRIDAY!

D.E.A.R. Drop Everything and Read

Navigator of the Week 

Pictures of a world traveler!

More math: Sorting our treasures brought from home

Sorting a variety of shells

What are the attributes of these buttons?

Sorting buttons by how many holes each has

Making a Venn Diagram of buttons




Friday, September 13, 2013

September 13, 2013 Math Adventures, Mindfulness and Navigation


Another great week of Navigating the world around us! Our week was full of going on Math Adventures, learning about solar and magnetic compasses, making maps, testing, becoming familiar with new routines, practicing mindfulness and much more. Here's a glimpse into the life of a Navigator:


Eager to learn!
Spending time with our fellow class, the Explorers. What do we already know?
Practicing mindfulness 
Journaling about mindfulness
Gathering  data
Showing our data by using a graph
Sharing our data
Making a solar compass
Adding a rock every 20 minutes
We found north!
 
 Enjoying class outside

Making a compass rose
Another Math Adventure
The mysterious treasure!
Counting the treasure
Sharing our math strategies



Wednesday, September 4, 2013

September 4, 2013 The First Day of School

Welcome back to school, Navigators! We are all so excited to be back with our Seabury friends and experiencing the first of many treasure hunts. Get ready for many more great adventures as together we explore and navigate the world around us!