Friday, March 2 was our eighth and final meeting of the 2nd and 3rd grade enrichment clusters. Please read the summaries below to learn more about what each enrichment cluster accomplished during their time together.
Perfectly Prepared PiesThe last eight weeks have been awesome! We made pie crusts from scratch, apple pies, pumpkin pies, coconut cream pies, chocolate pies and mixed fruit pies! The cluster also designed their own cupcakes and Mrs. Amy Brown from Cupprimo took their ideas and actually made the cupcakes for them! Mrs. Brown talked about her business and we were very interested and excited to hear all about it! The cluster also made recipe books for all of the pies that we made. The cluster children learned the importance of reading directions, following directions, measuring, mixing, sharing, and taking turns.
Under the Sea ClusterDuring the past eight weeks the “Under the Sea” enrichment cluster has been busy exploring the many depths of our planet’s oceans and seas. We’ve spent time learning fun fish facts and creating our own aquatic animals out of clay. We also participated in Aquavison-Distant Learning through the Texas State Aquarium. During our video conference we journeyed into the unique and valuable habitat called the coral reef. We viewed exhibits, learned about coral animals and built a reef out of Lego’s. During our cluster each student picked a sea animal they were interested in and spent time researching and creating posters and PowerPoint presentations to share their knowledge.
Inventing Minds ClusterDuring the course of this cluster we discussed the fact that inventors invent for multiple reasons but they usually invent products or services that are for convenience or to meet a basic need. That brought up the difference between wants and needs. We talked about different inventions and into which category that they might fall.
Talk about a kid’s paradise. This was it. The first meeting I proposed a problem to the students. They were stranded on a tropical island. They had set up camp under a mountain to protect themselves from the heavy wind. The problem was that the fresh water source was 5 miles away from camp. There job was to design a method to get the water from the fresh water source to their camp using the resources available to them on the island. They designed and made models.
We then looked at different shelters that had been invented and investigate the geodesic dome. The children had to first master building them. They are made of 20 equilateral triangles. We discussed why it was important that the triangles were equilateral. We then tried to build larger figures. We had to discover that we had to change how many triangles we started with to make the figures bigger. This was quite a challenge.
Another thing the children enjoyed was making simple and complex machines with kNEX.
My assistant, Ty Rogers, exclaimed one day, “Mrs. Jackson, these kids are in imagination mode!” He was definitely right!
Space CadetsThe Space Cadets have spent the last eight weeks orbiting the solar system studying the planets, satellites, space shuttles, rockets, the “nanorover” and the black hole. Although we missed everyone on earth, we had a blast!!! We are back on earth, and we're ready to share with our family and friends our experience. We even brought back some souvenirs. ... shhhh, don't tell anyone. We are looking forward to our next expedition into space. Signing off.
Dreamy DrawingIn the “Dreamy Drawing” enrichment cluster we explored the children’s interests in drawing. As an introduction, in the Dreamy Drawing Cluster we learned about comic strip writer and illustrator, Ray Billingsley and author, illustrator, David McPhail. We discussed how these individuals are passionate about their work and where they get their inspiration. In addition, we brainstormed ways drawing skills are used in the real world. The students discussed types of products we can make with our drawing skills (cards, art work, mazes, murals, comics, illustrations, etc.). During one of our meetings, local artist and instructor, Mrs. Monica Aaroz demonstrated elements of drawing including foreshortening, horizon, shading and shadowing. The children sketched and practiced various techniques. Students explored different artist tools such as pencils of varying hardness, erasers for blending, use of wood manikins, water colors, oil pastels and a variety of drawing books. We discussed possible products and ideas for a group projects. However, we found it was difficult to decide on just one project with so many creative minds. Therefore, we worked on individual cards and hidden pictures based on the children’s particular drawing interests, such as animals and landscapes. We decided to donate these to Dell Children’s Hospital as get well cards and fun activities for children in the hospital to do.
LME Animal HouseOver the last eight weeks, our cluster members have become junior wildlife biologists. Using independent investigation methods, the children explored multiple types of media while having fun learning about their chosen wild animals. First, we created KWL charts exploring what they already knew and what they wanted to learn. Next, we set them loose on books, websites, and other online resources to follow their interests. Through self guided study, careful note taking, and analysis, they gained knowledge. Our kids also had a chance for artistic expression by creating pictures of their animals based on research. Creativity and technology skills were the focus as the children worked cooperatively with student helpers to develop PowerPoint presentations, which were shared then with the class. We had a great time and learned a lot about wild animals!
Violent Volcanoes and Quivering QuakesThe “Violent Volcanoes and Quivering Quakes” enrichment cluster began with an introductory meeting on why each of the students chose this cluster and would like to know about and do over the 8 weeks. The students then chose to spend the next five weeks learning about volcanoes… We watched the Ring of Fire video on the volcanoes in the Pacific Rim, made our own volcanoes out of salt dough, baking soda, and vinegar to simulate volcanic eruptions, had a conference call with an expert who has a PhD in Volcanoes and works in Yellowstone National Park, and did individual research on fun and informative websites on topics of interest involving volcanoes and earthquakes. On our seventh enrichment cluster meeting, we were busy working on our showcase products—the students grouped themselves into three camps: one group created a PowerPoint presentation on volcanoes, one group edited the video footage we took of students creating baking soda volcanoes with Microsoft Movie Maker, and the remaining students made a larger volcano model with a surrounding ecosystem. During our final meeting, some students chose to finish working on showcase products, while others chose to make their own seismograph, which is an instrument used to measure the movement in Earth’s crust during an earthquake or volcano. We had a terrific time learning more about the make-up of the world we live in!
Performance PaintingIn “Performance Painting”, our artistic explorers were introduced to and practiced many styles of artistic expression, including pop art, surrealism, portraiture, murals, impressionism, and cubism. They also were introduced to the work of major artists, including Andy Warhol, Claes Oldenburg, Claude Monet, Vincent Van Gogh, Rene Magritte, Salvador Dali, Diego Rivera, Giorgio de Chirico and Pablo Picasso.
Rainforest HeroesIn this enrichment cluster, we learned about the rainforest and its importance to the world. Some students researched a particular animal that lives in the rainforest while others worked on posters educating others of the importance of the rainforest and what we can do to save it.
We even had Ms. Hazel Barbour, from the non-profit group Rainforest Partnership, visit and tell us all about her organization which is committed to protecting and conserving the tropical rainforest. She showed us pictures of her trip to the Amazon and showed us products made by the tribes of people who live in the rainforest.
Friendship Bracelet FanaticsThis year in the Friendship Bracelet Fanatics we worked hard to make bracelets for children who are currently hospitalized due to illness or other medical reasons. Each bracelet has a handmade get well note attached signed by a member of our cluster. We utilized yarn, embroidery floss, hemp, and beads to make a variety of bracelets. We had a blast creating bracelets in various designs while we learned about both patterns and measurement. We also made a few bracelets to keep or share with friends during our time together to help us remember all the fun we had in our cluster.
Take 2We spent eight weeks exploring the world of videography. We had lots of “hands-on” time with new equipment and software; opportunities to problem solve when our first attempts with flips cameras didn’t quite work out as planned; and joint-learning experiences where we shared what we discovered. Each student created a video complete with some very creative acting! We discovered that many of us loved being in front of the camera as much as we enjoyed filming others. We hope you enjoy viewing our movies – popcorn is optional.
The Roaring ChefsThe Roaring Chefs had an exciting cooking adventure over the past eight weeks. We learned the correct names for popular items used when cooking and baking and recorded all of our recipes in our own cookbooks. We baked several warm goodies, such as brownies and cookies, and made some other sweet treats like slushies and milk shakes. Not everything we made was sweet and sugary; we also mixed up some great dinner dishes, such as tacos, pizzas, mozzarella sticks and salad. Over our last couple meetings we baked and decorated 150 mini cupcakes to share at the cluster showcase. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did!
Card Making ExtravaganzaThe Card Makers had a blast over the last eight weeks. We learned several card making tricks, such as: layering our colored card stock, stamping, embossing, and using glitter to make our cards “POP”! The group enjoyed making cards for the Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast, Valentine Cards, Welcome to Laurel Mountain cards, birthday cards and more. Each card maker made a bag of cards to take home with them!
Game On!“Game On!” enrichment cluster has had fun playing different games. For the first few weeks we played kickball, soccer and football. Andres made up a game call "Kick Smash". It is played like soccer, but to score a goal you have to kick the ball up in front of you and volley it in with your hands. It is harder than it sounds! Varun created a game called "Soccer Ball". It is also played like soccer but you have to kick the ball into a basket to score. Justin came up with a version of Freeze tag called Brain Freezers. After trying the games the students created, we tried different camp games like Rock, Paper, Scissor, Capture the Flag and Circle Soccer. As an enrichment cluster, students decided to teach first graders different games. We decided on what games we wanted to teach. Students wrote directions on how to play the games. Then we invited three first grade classes. On our last meeting, “Game On!” students taught 1st graders how to play Capture the Flag, Circle Soccer and Rock, Paper, Scissors. Students had fun playing old and new games!
Clay MastersThe second and third grade “Clay Masters” created original works of art with clay. Every student had the opportunity to make a pot, bowl, or plate on the potter’s wheel. Other pieces they designed included sculptures made from clay slabs and coil creations. The pieces have been glazed and fired and look amazing! Once again Laurel Mountain students are donating several of our bowls to the Empty Bowl Project Auction, which provides financial support to the Round Rock Food Bank.
Scaly FriendsWhat could be better than live animals, movie making, art projects and outdoor fun? Not much as far as the scaly friends group is concerned. The students learned about lizards, snakes and geckos. They held live animals, watched presentations created on different platforms such as Photostory 3, Power Point, FLIP camera video and a live presentation by a reptile expert. They then created a product of choice featuring their favorite reptile. The products produced were videos of live reptiles, sculptures of favorite reptiles and posters featuring reptiles. We also went on a reptile hunt in the preserve to see creatures in their natural habitat.
Under the Sea ClusterDuring the past eight weeks the “Under the Sea” enrichment cluster has been busy exploring the many depths of our planet’s oceans and seas. We’ve spent time learning fun fish facts and creating our own aquatic animals out of clay. We also participated in Aquavison-Distant Learning through the Texas State Aquarium. During our video conference we journeyed into the unique and valuable habitat called the coral reef. We viewed exhibits, learned about coral animals and built a reef out of Lego’s. During our cluster each student picked a sea animal they were interested in and spent time researching and creating posters and PowerPoint presentations to share their knowledge.
Inventing Minds ClusterDuring the course of this cluster we discussed the fact that inventors invent for multiple reasons but they usually invent products or services that are for convenience or to meet a basic need. That brought up the difference between wants and needs. We talked about different inventions and into which category that they might fall.
Talk about a kid’s paradise. This was it. The first meeting I proposed a problem to the students. They were stranded on a tropical island. They had set up camp under a mountain to protect themselves from the heavy wind. The problem was that the fresh water source was 5 miles away from camp. There job was to design a method to get the water from the fresh water source to their camp using the resources available to them on the island. They designed and made models.
We then looked at different shelters that had been invented and investigate the geodesic dome. The children had to first master building them. They are made of 20 equilateral triangles. We discussed why it was important that the triangles were equilateral. We then tried to build larger figures. We had to discover that we had to change how many triangles we started with to make the figures bigger. This was quite a challenge.
Another thing the children enjoyed was making simple and complex machines with kNEX.
My assistant, Ty Rogers, exclaimed one day, “Mrs. Jackson, these kids are in imagination mode!” He was definitely right!
Space CadetsThe Space Cadets have spent the last eight weeks orbiting the solar system studying the planets, satellites, space shuttles, rockets, the “nanorover” and the black hole. Although we missed everyone on earth, we had a blast!!! We are back on earth, and we're ready to share with our family and friends our experience. We even brought back some souvenirs. ... shhhh, don't tell anyone. We are looking forward to our next expedition into space. Signing off.
Dreamy DrawingIn the “Dreamy Drawing” enrichment cluster we explored the children’s interests in drawing. As an introduction, in the Dreamy Drawing Cluster we learned about comic strip writer and illustrator, Ray Billingsley and author, illustrator, David McPhail. We discussed how these individuals are passionate about their work and where they get their inspiration. In addition, we brainstormed ways drawing skills are used in the real world. The students discussed types of products we can make with our drawing skills (cards, art work, mazes, murals, comics, illustrations, etc.). During one of our meetings, local artist and instructor, Mrs. Monica Aaroz demonstrated elements of drawing including foreshortening, horizon, shading and shadowing. The children sketched and practiced various techniques. Students explored different artist tools such as pencils of varying hardness, erasers for blending, use of wood manikins, water colors, oil pastels and a variety of drawing books. We discussed possible products and ideas for a group projects. However, we found it was difficult to decide on just one project with so many creative minds. Therefore, we worked on individual cards and hidden pictures based on the children’s particular drawing interests, such as animals and landscapes. We decided to donate these to Dell Children’s Hospital as get well cards and fun activities for children in the hospital to do.
LME Animal HouseOver the last eight weeks, our cluster members have become junior wildlife biologists. Using independent investigation methods, the children explored multiple types of media while having fun learning about their chosen wild animals. First, we created KWL charts exploring what they already knew and what they wanted to learn. Next, we set them loose on books, websites, and other online resources to follow their interests. Through self guided study, careful note taking, and analysis, they gained knowledge. Our kids also had a chance for artistic expression by creating pictures of their animals based on research. Creativity and technology skills were the focus as the children worked cooperatively with student helpers to develop PowerPoint presentations, which were shared then with the class. We had a great time and learned a lot about wild animals!
Violent Volcanoes and Quivering QuakesThe “Violent Volcanoes and Quivering Quakes” enrichment cluster began with an introductory meeting on why each of the students chose this cluster and would like to know about and do over the 8 weeks. The students then chose to spend the next five weeks learning about volcanoes… We watched the Ring of Fire video on the volcanoes in the Pacific Rim, made our own volcanoes out of salt dough, baking soda, and vinegar to simulate volcanic eruptions, had a conference call with an expert who has a PhD in Volcanoes and works in Yellowstone National Park, and did individual research on fun and informative websites on topics of interest involving volcanoes and earthquakes. On our seventh enrichment cluster meeting, we were busy working on our showcase products—the students grouped themselves into three camps: one group created a PowerPoint presentation on volcanoes, one group edited the video footage we took of students creating baking soda volcanoes with Microsoft Movie Maker, and the remaining students made a larger volcano model with a surrounding ecosystem. During our final meeting, some students chose to finish working on showcase products, while others chose to make their own seismograph, which is an instrument used to measure the movement in Earth’s crust during an earthquake or volcano. We had a terrific time learning more about the make-up of the world we live in!
Performance PaintingIn “Performance Painting”, our artistic explorers were introduced to and practiced many styles of artistic expression, including pop art, surrealism, portraiture, murals, impressionism, and cubism. They also were introduced to the work of major artists, including Andy Warhol, Claes Oldenburg, Claude Monet, Vincent Van Gogh, Rene Magritte, Salvador Dali, Diego Rivera, Giorgio de Chirico and Pablo Picasso.
Rainforest HeroesIn this enrichment cluster, we learned about the rainforest and its importance to the world. Some students researched a particular animal that lives in the rainforest while others worked on posters educating others of the importance of the rainforest and what we can do to save it.
We even had Ms. Hazel Barbour, from the non-profit group Rainforest Partnership, visit and tell us all about her organization which is committed to protecting and conserving the tropical rainforest. She showed us pictures of her trip to the Amazon and showed us products made by the tribes of people who live in the rainforest.
Friendship Bracelet FanaticsThis year in the Friendship Bracelet Fanatics we worked hard to make bracelets for children who are currently hospitalized due to illness or other medical reasons. Each bracelet has a handmade get well note attached signed by a member of our cluster. We utilized yarn, embroidery floss, hemp, and beads to make a variety of bracelets. We had a blast creating bracelets in various designs while we learned about both patterns and measurement. We also made a few bracelets to keep or share with friends during our time together to help us remember all the fun we had in our cluster.
Take 2We spent eight weeks exploring the world of videography. We had lots of “hands-on” time with new equipment and software; opportunities to problem solve when our first attempts with flips cameras didn’t quite work out as planned; and joint-learning experiences where we shared what we discovered. Each student created a video complete with some very creative acting! We discovered that many of us loved being in front of the camera as much as we enjoyed filming others. We hope you enjoy viewing our movies – popcorn is optional.
The Roaring ChefsThe Roaring Chefs had an exciting cooking adventure over the past eight weeks. We learned the correct names for popular items used when cooking and baking and recorded all of our recipes in our own cookbooks. We baked several warm goodies, such as brownies and cookies, and made some other sweet treats like slushies and milk shakes. Not everything we made was sweet and sugary; we also mixed up some great dinner dishes, such as tacos, pizzas, mozzarella sticks and salad. Over our last couple meetings we baked and decorated 150 mini cupcakes to share at the cluster showcase. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did!
Card Making ExtravaganzaThe Card Makers had a blast over the last eight weeks. We learned several card making tricks, such as: layering our colored card stock, stamping, embossing, and using glitter to make our cards “POP”! The group enjoyed making cards for the Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast, Valentine Cards, Welcome to Laurel Mountain cards, birthday cards and more. Each card maker made a bag of cards to take home with them!
Game On!“Game On!” enrichment cluster has had fun playing different games. For the first few weeks we played kickball, soccer and football. Andres made up a game call "Kick Smash". It is played like soccer, but to score a goal you have to kick the ball up in front of you and volley it in with your hands. It is harder than it sounds! Varun created a game called "Soccer Ball". It is also played like soccer but you have to kick the ball into a basket to score. Justin came up with a version of Freeze tag called Brain Freezers. After trying the games the students created, we tried different camp games like Rock, Paper, Scissor, Capture the Flag and Circle Soccer. As an enrichment cluster, students decided to teach first graders different games. We decided on what games we wanted to teach. Students wrote directions on how to play the games. Then we invited three first grade classes. On our last meeting, “Game On!” students taught 1st graders how to play Capture the Flag, Circle Soccer and Rock, Paper, Scissors. Students had fun playing old and new games!
Clay MastersThe second and third grade “Clay Masters” created original works of art with clay. Every student had the opportunity to make a pot, bowl, or plate on the potter’s wheel. Other pieces they designed included sculptures made from clay slabs and coil creations. The pieces have been glazed and fired and look amazing! Once again Laurel Mountain students are donating several of our bowls to the Empty Bowl Project Auction, which provides financial support to the Round Rock Food Bank.
Scaly FriendsWhat could be better than live animals, movie making, art projects and outdoor fun? Not much as far as the scaly friends group is concerned. The students learned about lizards, snakes and geckos. They held live animals, watched presentations created on different platforms such as Photostory 3, Power Point, FLIP camera video and a live presentation by a reptile expert. They then created a product of choice featuring their favorite reptile. The products produced were videos of live reptiles, sculptures of favorite reptiles and posters featuring reptiles. We also went on a reptile hunt in the preserve to see creatures in their natural habitat.
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