Virtual Tours for Third Graders

Third Grade Class News

As part of the Ancient Civilization Unit, our third graders have had the opportunity to research and take virtual tours of some of the world's leading historical sights. Cameras on top of pyramids allowed them to follow a bird's eye view of how they look today, and simulations-allow them to go inside various rooms of the tombs of long ago. Then it was on to the Parthenon in Greece, and the following week we studied the Romans and their famous Collosseum.

Videos showed us some of the wonders of India and what is like to live there. China was the last stop on our tour, with all our third graders experiencing a virtual walk on the Great Wall of China and learning about the ancient culture. Along each stop, the students have used their higher order thinking skills and critical thinking tools to discover how some ideas that these cultures gave us, were alike or different from others, or showed us how we borrowed their ideas and use them today. Now it is time to put together their portfolio of work and brainstorm how to save their favorite place from extinction.

What a pleasure it has been for me to share first hand knowledge of many of these sights and countries with your children. Soon it will be on to our first science unit of the season.

Are you a Tory or a Whig?

These were all the whipers floating around our room as the fourth graders secretly picked their side of the American Revolution. "But I wanted to be a Patriot!" was the cry as student after student drew their part in the conflict. Surprisingly, one group drew the researched stats: 1/3 Loyalists, 1/3 Patriots, and 1/3 Neutrals. However, other research showed as many as 50% of the colonists were Patriots. Another class had very different results: a few neutrals, a few "Redbacks,"but the majority were Patriots. How did this happen?? Well, the rest better move to another colony and quick as this war is really heating up.

Our fourth graders have already presented their power points on their colonies and now they have selected a famous person from the war to be researched. Those that were really up for a challenge, asked to create a personal history for an Iroquis brave, a freed slave, and a Hessian soldier. Can't wait to hear our next presentations.

FIFTH GRADERS ADD TO PORTFOLIOS

Our fifth graders are well into their art museum projects and will soon create and design a layout and displays for their modern art. I have asked them to ask you, their parents-if you would take them to the High Museum on November 7th, which is the free day for all Fulton County residents. (Show valid ID or utility bill first Saturday of each month.) At the High, they can visit examples of all of our categories: Ancient, Renaissance, Impressionistic, Folk, and Modern. The Modern wing is terrific and will give them a greater sense of understanding this entire unit. Each student has now selected an artist that they wish to research, copy a work of art, and then present. Keep posted on when our room will be ready for visitors.