3rd

-4th Newsletter April, 2012

Our Current Unit of Inquiry

Who We Are:

Advancement in our knowledge affects how we treat our bodies.

1. Function of nutrition

2. How choices impact health

3. Caring for own bodies

Key Concepts: Function, Causation, Responsibility

Related Concepts: Growth, Behavior, Interaction, Data-handling

During this unit, we have been impressed by the way in which

students are applying critical thinking skills to make more informed

decisions about the foods they eat. We have had interesting

discussions in class and have heard from a number of parents about

the ways in which this unit is touching the lives of students outside of

the classroom. The IB attitude of responsibility is certainly evident in

the actions of the students.

This week, students will finish creating their pamphlets on student

health and fitness. They have been developing their persuasive

writing skills and working to integrate graphs, charts and other visual

elements into their writing. At the end of this week, the students will

peer critique each others’ pamphlets and give positive feedback to

their fellow writers. We will then send copies of the pamphlets to

Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” fitness and nutrition program. Our

hope is that we can use our learning to impact other children and

inspire them to learn more about how and why to make healthy

choices about what they eat.

Our scientific investigations will continue this week with our focus

on body systems. We will be looking at the respiratory system and

creating a model lung. We will also be looking at some substances,

like alcohol and cigarettes, which have a negative impact on our

bodies. The students have demonstrated the learner profiles of open-

minded and caring throughout this unit and we look forward to

helping them continue to expand their knowledge of how to live

healthy, balanced lives. We welcome any feedback on how this unit is

impacting your family and how your child is taking action outside of

the classroom.

We are grateful to Dr. Julie Gelman for leading our class field trip to King Soopers last week. The students learned a great deal about nutritional value and how to make healthy

choices in the grocery store.

Upcoming Dates and Special Events

April 26th

Field Trip to CURE Organic Farm Please let us know if you are interested in driving with us for this fascinating field trip where students get the opportunity to see (and taste) where food comes from on

our earth.

April 27th Half-day for students (11:20am dismissal)

April 30th – May 4th

Stanford Testing Please help your child to get a good night’s sleep and a

nutritious breakfast each day this week

May 1st Field Trip to the Butterfly Pavilion

Please let us know if you are interested in driving with us for this trip to learn more about invertebrates and

their role in ecosystems.

May 5th Spring Picnic at our Littleton Campus

Details on this family event will be coming home shortly. We hope to see you there!

THE ROAD AHEAD

It is hard to believe that we only have one

Unit of Inquiry left this year. We will soon be

starting our How We Share the Planet unit,

which will focus on invertebrates and the

roles they play in their ecosystems and in

our lives. We will begin the unit be

connecting our current unit on food and

nutrition to the role that invertebrates play

in food production. This is a very hands-on

unit that is sure to spark a sense of wonder

in the students and a greater appreciation

for species that impact our lives regularly.

Roman day

pronounced

a successful

tribute to

the Legacy

of the

Romans and

the

learning of

our

students