February 2024:
STREAM - Weather Impacts
We researched the weather hazards we face in San Diego. The focus resulted in floods, mudslides or landslides and drought related forest fires. Teams were tasked with engineering a structure that could withstand one of these hazards. Modification's included defensible space, storm water pumps, stilts, and sensor controlled barriers and sprinklers. The future looks bright for Solana Beach’s homes thanks to these architectural breakthroughs. Young scientists drew plans and managed inflation impacted budgets when purchasing materials for their 3D models.
They took on the role of news reporters writing detailed scripts displayed on teleprompters that were recorded in front of a green screen and studio lighting.
Others choose to code and build Lego Spike robots that would help the rescue teams via helicopters or swamp boats. Projects of this magnitude take perseverance and problem solving; the culminating projects were impressive.
Art
Third graders are creating painted waves with tempera paint, using dark blue, light blue and white to create many different shades of blues and whites!
Physical Education
February is American Heart Month. This is when we focus on our heart and its health by doing cardio exercises like jump roping! Students are learning the basics of jump roping and a variety of jump rope tricks.
Media Center*
We've entered one of the most exciting times of the year for our students in the library: California Young Reader Medal time! Each year, Solana Vista students share their voice by choosing the California Young Reader Medal primary picture book of the year. Our kiddos love the fact that this is a student-driven literature award, and adults don't get a say!
State-wide, five picture book nominees are chosen by committee, and are then read aloud in school libraries. At Solana Vista, students log their opinions of each picture book nominee using either an emoji or stars rating system. Our 2nd and 3rd graders also add opinion sentences to remind them what they thought of each nominee. After each class has experienced each book nominee, which takes a few weeks, students then "voice their vote" for the book they enjoyed the most. Votes are combined with those across the state of California, with the medal being awarded on May 1, 2024. Which book will win the hearts of our young readers this year? We'll have to wait until May to find out!
To view past nominees, winners, and get a sneak peek of next year's nominees, visit: https://www.californiayoungreadermedal.org/nominees. Be sure to note the categories of nominations under each title, as categories stretch from primary age to young adult.
(Pictured below: A sample of our 2nd graders voicing their vote using the Seesaw App!)
Music*
Third graders are focusing on a new instrument...the recorder! Playing melodies, reading standard music notation, refining our fine motor coordination, listening to and responding to one another musically are all things we are working on as we learn to play the recorder.
Discovery Labs are made possible by YOU! To make your donation to the Solana Beach Schools Foundation, visit our home page and click the Donate button.
*Not supported by your donations to the Solana Beach Schools Foundation.
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