The day didn't go exactly as planned. We never did get to our hike, but we did get to review all the information related to the hike so we'll hike on Monday. Thanks to my savvy colleagues, I took their lead and previewed the hike with them. That was a good idea and helped me to feel more prepared. They also had a number of organizational ideas that will help as I continue the STEAM Survival first project which includes the hike and creating water filters.
On Monday we'll review what it means to be a good team member, hike, collect the materials, test the water, and then each team will make one or two iterations of the water filters, and test the water again. To students' and teachers' surprise, those that collected water today found the water to be quite clean, so I may need to find some murkier water to bring in in order to make the water filter activity more impactful.
Students took another Benchmark test which revealed that most students made terrific progress, while a few did not. The teaching team will have to look deeply at what stood in the way of those that did not make as much success--this is something we need to look at and use as a source of program improvement.
We started the movie, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, which is a good film, but also a tough film. At one point, one child remarked, "Why can't we watch Cinderella?" In other words, his remark showed how the trying circumstances in the film are painful to watch. We'll continue to watch the film as there's lots to learn, even if it is difficult to watch at times.
Next week students will take three math tests, engage in lots of play practice, create water filters, plant packets, and solar ovens, and continue to research the global change maker they are studying for the biography project. There will be ample time for recess to complement the testing too.
In the meantime, I've got some homework to do about water quality and making water filters, plant packets, and solar ovens. Onward.
