Red, White, and Blue(birds)

Two of the things that have occupied our learning in the last week are:
1) Gathering data as part of our participation in the Colorado Bluebird Project
2) The opening salvos in our study of the causes that led to the American Revolution.

Bluebirds

Until school is out, our crew will be monitoring the activity at and around three of the bluebird boxes on the REMS property.  There are several steps in our weekly check of the boxes:

Remaining quiet and at a distance while noting what's happening on the ground and in the air in the surrounding area

Scoping the area right around the box with binoculars

After approaching slowly and quietly, knocking on the box so birds aren't startled and frightened when the door is opened

Carefully opening the door

Examining the nest or other evidence of bird activity

Recording the data, using a specific coding system

 

Revolutionary Gallery Walk

We launched the "Yours, Mine, and Ours" social studies expedition with a gallery walk. The articles on display in the gallery walk included a mystery piece which linked directly to our first case study, "The Debate at the Old South Meeting House." The title of the expedition comes from the concept that societies devise systems to work out the various needs and wants of individuals and groups--an issue at the heart of the American Revolution. The title of the case study comes from the heated discussion that led to one of the catalyst events of the revolution--the Boston Tea Party.

Here are snapshots of the crew recording their thinking as they look at the items in the gallery walk:

Take the Walk

Here are photos of many of the illustrations and documents the students examined. Take a look and think about the questions and ideas that come to mind. The item at the end with the big question mark is the mystery piece. See if you can figure it out. If you do, drop me an email and I'll let you know if you are right.