PreK

This week Preschool studied Tubes and Tunnels, and Insects. We talked about what is a tube and why, where we see tunnels, and Ms. Reva’s class talked about what makes an insect an insect and did a nature walk to find some real ones! We also had a visit from Ms. Gracie and baby Cash!

Kindergarten

Van Buren Kindergarten students, teachers,  and parents had a great day at the zoo on Tuesday!

First Grade

This week in first grade we: 

1)  Learned about how animals’ bodies help them survive in their environment

2)  Learned about subtraction and fact families

3)  Learned about r-controlled vowels and also, the schwa sound in phonics

4)  Designed and made keychains for Mother’s Day gifts 

5)  Wrote using nonfiction text features 

Second Grade

Second grade took time this week to disconnect. Each student wrote 5 kindness notes to students and staff around Van Buren. They delivered their notes and felt so good about being kind! 

Third Grade

Third graders having a shopping spree to spend the last of their money that they have earned in our classroom economy this year. 

Fourth Grade

Fourth graders had fun practicing their spelling words outside and making mosaic tiles for a disconnected activity. AND…another student passed an XtraMath level.

Fifth Grade

In preparation for BizTown, our CEO’s meet with their team to discuss philanthropy and the importance of business logos! They also designed some logos for the business.

STEM

Students in 4th grade took their I-Learn Science tests this week. They worked hard and persevered as they showed off what they learned on these tests. For the rest of the week, our 4th grade optometrists learned all about the eye and how it works. These students made model eyes that actually work like real eyes. Students learned the parts of the eye, how the eyes functions, what causes blurred vision and blindness, and how the eye uses light. They also learned some cool facts about the eyes. For example, the eyes actually see upside down and the brain turns the image back to being right side up.

This week our 3rd grade biologists learned more about plants and their plant needs. Students learned more about pollinators and how they are selective about the types of plants they visit. Different pollinators such as different types of bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds actually like different types of plants. Different flowers attract different pollinators. If we have a garden, it turns out that we need more than one type of pollinator. Students played a research game this week where they had model gardens. They had to keep their model gardens and plants going for as many years as they could using pollinators for reproduction. Students researched to find out what types of bees their garden would need. Those that could attract a greater variety of bees were able to keep their garden going longer because their plants would reproduce more each year. 

STEM Student of the Week:  Kyson Bailey

Kyson has been working so hard lately in our STEM class. He has been observed doing the right things, meeting expectations, and focusing on his learning. He has made such an improvement in his STEM work over the last couple weeks. I have noticed that Kyson has been very happy with his recent progress and now seems to have an even bigger desire to learn all things STEM related. Great Job Kyson!!!