Insect Scavenger Hunt

Today our class walked over to the courthouse in search of insects.  We used magnifying glasses to study the insects.  We also made a lot of other observations about the insects we found.

One student observed that the butterfly seemed to use the leaf for camouflage.  Can you spot the butterfly?

My First Digital Book!

              I attended a technology workshop while I was at the teacher's conference earlier this week.  One app I was dying to try out was called Adobe Voice.
              Today our class made a digital story about mammals.  They were given a journal assignment in which they answered the following questions:
              If you could be any mammal, what would you be and why?  What would you do all day?

              After each child completed their journal assignment, they picked out a picture from the iPad to use for their page in the story.   Finally we recorded our journal entries to complete the page in our digital book.
      You can check it out by clicking the link below:
   
If I were a Mammal

Our Committed Community Workers

Our class has studied about community workers over the past couple of weeks.  To get more in depth, we visited several places around town.  We also had a few class visits.

Last Friday we visited the Alma Library.

Paula let us come behind the desk so we could see what they do on the computer when we check out books.

Paula also demonstrated how the book drop worked.  

Little known fact:  There is a pillow at the bottom of the book drop to keep books from getting scuffed and tattered.
Thank You for the "book tour" Paula!

On Thursday we visited the Alma Post Office.  Each student wrote a letter to mail while we were at the post office.

Into the mail slot.....

One student demonstrates how to open his family's mailbox

...and out comes the mail!

Jackie also visited our class.  She explained how nurses use many tools in his/her job.

She also taught the students how to use a stethoscope.

We also learned how to find the pulse on our wrist.

Thank you for visiting our class, Jackie!

On Friday, Joel and Carl visited our class to talk about their job as E.M.T.'s.  Joel radioed the dispatcher which happened to be just across the street at the court house.

We learned that the antennas (antenni?) at the top of the court house are used to radio dispatchers. 

Carl showed us the lights and siren.

Joel pulled out the stretcher.....

...and showed us how it lifts to the height needed.

He also let four students sit on it to show that it can lift a lot of weight.

It can lift up to 700 pounds!

He also showed us his medical kit.

The students were allowed to look inside the ambulance.

It's a mini-hospital on wheels!

There is even a little bench for a loved one to sit on enroute to the hospital.

We learned so much!  Thank you Joel and Carl!

On the following Monday, Officer Stewart showed us around the sheriff's department.  This is a digital fingerprint scanner.

The Visiting Cell

Here is the dispatcher's office.  The dispatcher happened to receive a call and showed us how she answers the calls and collects the information.

Officer Stewart also showed us his police truck.  He said they used trucks in Wabaunsee County because they handle better on the dirt roads and in the deep snow.

Lights! Action!

....and finally the siren,

We also got to see the empty jail cells, which is a very rare thing.  Officer Stewart said he's worked for Wabaunsee County for 8 1/2 years and he has never seen them completely empty.  However, it was requested that no pictures be taken in cell area.
Thank You, Officer Stewart!  We learned a lot today!

{Skink Surprise!}

Today one of our school families provided a wonderful learning opportunity with a couple of captured skinks.  Mrs. Murray lead the mini-lesson while Mrs. Ochs provided the awesome photography.