This past week the Neutrons played a dice game we affectionately called “Chip-o.” Wheels were turning and kids cheering before we even made it through the first round. We made (sometimes heated) observations of which numbers we kept rolling, and
Weekly Summary: Area/Perimeter – Neutrons – STEM
Last week we discussed area and perimeter. The Neutrons were each given five plastic animals, two dice, and a thick sheet of grid paper to create their own zoos. They used the numbers rolled as the proportions for each animal
Weekly Summary: Glass jar lanterns – Neutrons – Art
I thought we could all use some more light during those gloomy days and long nights so I decided to make lanterns with the group. We up cycled glass jars- Neutrons created one of a kind designs with sharpies on
Weekly Summary: Types of winter precipitation – Neutrons – Nature Study
We started off discussing what we knew about precipitation. Next we made an observation of what was currently happening with the winter weather. I showed them this video on the different types of winter precipitation. https://youtu.be/_uvKtE01E9c?si=zvCN923idYUcEn81 We then ventured inside
Weekly Summary: Water testing – Neutrons – Nature Study
This week we used an Urban Water Test Kit from LaMotte. We tested water from the sink in the kitchen and water from the DesPlaines River. There were a number of quick tests we could do. We decided on Oxygen,
Weekly Summary: First Nations – Neutrons – Nature Study
We started off discussing what we thought First Nations meant. Which lead to a brief discussion on whether they had grocery stores for food, or home depot for building supplies. To which they whole group emphatically decided that wanted to
Weekly Summary: Art History: Jackson Pollock – Neutrons – Art
This week our class learned about the life of Jackson Pollock and Abstract Expressionism movement. We read the book “Action Jackson” by Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan. And then, the kids all made their own abstract splatter art! We used
Weekly Summary: Art History: Pablo Picasso – Neutrons – Art
Last week, the Neutrons learned all about Pablo Picasso and Cubism! We read the book “Pablo” by Marisa Boan. Then we made our own version of cubism artwork. We created self portraits or other pictures using bright colors and geometric
Weekly Summary: Art History – Frida Kahlo – Neutrons – Art
This week, we learned all about Frida Kahlo’s life, art and style. We read Frida Kahlo by Mary Nihn. And then, we made our own Frida-inspired pumpkins. The kids transformed into Jr. Florists as they put together their own bouquets
Weekly Summary: plank position/ harvest – Neutrons – Gym
For the harvest theme this week, the Neutrons warmed up performing different activities of (pretend) harvesting: Picking apples and pears from high trees (walking on tip toes, stretching overhead), lifting very heavy large pumpkins (squat, raising up slowly against isometric