Geology rocks!

Last Thursday, we had a visit from Katie Schoenenberger, a geologist at the University of Dayton.  Katie explained that she not only studies rocks and minerals but the Earth's processes (natural disasters, glaciers, fossils, etc.). Since we have been discussing root words, the students understood that the word geology not only applies to rocks and minerals, but to the study of the Earth  (geo=Earth, soil).  We explored and discussed the different types of rocks and minerals, how we identify and classify them and how the rock cycle works.  

Placing sedimentary rocks in their proper place.

Using hand lenses and field notebooks, the girls observed and recorded their findings.  We used our senses as we came up with descriptions of each of the rocks that Katie brought in to the classroom.   The girls also experienced how metamorphic rocks form using heat and pressure from their hands to change the shape and form of Starburst candies.  She also left us with samples that we will continue to work with throughout this unit of study.  The girls enjoyed the presentation because we met with a real geologist and learned things by actually looking, feeling, and exploring actual rocks and minerals.  

Forming a hypothesis about how minerals form.

Using hand lenses to get a better look.

Forming metamorphic rocks using Starburst candies.

Explaining how crystals form.

Using heat and pressure to form "metamorphic rocks".

Writing about reading

The third and fourth graders have devoted a lot of time to reading different genres of literature and writing thoughtful responses using the writing process.  In early December, the girls read fiction that focused on a different culture or country.  They researched questions that they may have had while reading, and presented their findings in a short oral presentation that was videotaped.  Before giving their oral presentations, we watched several author talks online (Kevin Henkes and Kadir Nelson) to learn about their writing process and how they summarized their books.  We also watched examples of students from other schools present books so we could see what goes into a strong oral presentation.  

 A presentation on Meet Josefina by Valerie Tripp, a book about Mexican culture.

We read The Girl Who Chased Away Sorrow by Ann Turner, a book about a Navajo girl who lived in New Mexico during the 400 mile Long Walk in 1864.

After the oral reports, we explored vintage travel posters from the 1920's. Each student came up with a travel poster advertising the country or culture that they explored through fiction.

Our representation of Virginia Hamilton's Zeely. 

 Johannesburg, South Africa was explored in Journey to Jo'Burg by Beverley Naidoo.

Italy was represented by a report on Kathryn Lasky's Hope in My Heart.