This week, Emmarose's group joined together to collect information on as many different kinds of restaurants as they could. They made restaurant observations and worked in groups to complete some restaurant research. They focused on theme, interior design, menu offerings, and whether the restaurant provided a good experience for consumers. Last week, students brainstormed favorite memories and found common themes that they believed were essential for a good experience. Som

Constructivist learning requires that students have experiences and draw connections between them. Making observations and reflecting on what we learn are central practices at the Sycamore School. Brie Tompkins gives her students many opportunities to interact with their world and to construct meaning based on those experiences. How can you bend light? Brie’s students played with mirrors and water this week to make predictions and observations about how light bends. K.A. -

Over the past few weeks, students have explored the big picture question, "What is the relationship between producers and consumers?" To address this question, students defined the terms, consumer and producer and discussed the concept of marketing. What does marketing mean? What marketing techniques do producers use - especially when marketing to kids? As another great addition to this study, students welcomed a special guest speaker to their classroom, Julie Ellis. Juli

Brie’s group will be exploring Light and Colors this semester! Their investigations over the coming weeks will deepen their understanding of light, shadows, reflection, refraction, and colors. Their research began with asking questions. What do you wonder about? “How can you prove that sunlight is hot?” “What are the dangers of light?” “How does light get trapped in a lightbulb?” “How does light make a rainbow?” “What can light do?” “Has anyone ever been to the sun?” To be

This quarter, Emmarose's group will be examining the essential question, What is the relationship between the producer and the consumer? While many producer/consumer relationships are focused on products, Emmarose's group will be exploring how experiences can also be produced and consumed. -What makes a good experience for you? -How do we take in an experience through all five of our senses? -How do we create an enjoyable experience for consumers? Students will be working in

The Clubhouse and Paige's group kicked off the Quarter 4 theme by examining the essential question, "What is the relationship between producers and consumers?" They began by questioning the definition of the terms "producer" and "consumer" and observed various ways the two terms have a relationship. Students connected "producer" with the idea of being an author or creator and "consumer" with the idea of being an audience member or a customer. On Monday, students were excite

Shape Ninjas are up for the challenge! Brie's ninjas rose to the challenge to define shapes together. They were asked, “How do you know it is a square?” With one hand at all times on their connected rope, they shared ideas and made suggestions to each other about how to move the rope and where to hold on. D.P. decided to draw a plan of the square they should make. He said, "The square should have straight lines on 4 sides and there should be 4 corners." At first, the nin

We are excited to be back from Spring Break and start digging in to 4th quarter. Our work this quarter will be centered around exploring the essential question "What is the relationship between the producer and the consumer?" Students will be utilizing the communication literacy toolkit, relating the producer to an author, and the consumer to an audience. Stay tuned for how this work unfolds. Below is a snapshot of what students worked on this week. I think you'll be amaze

Clubhouse students were eager to share all of their hard work at their exhibition! To conclude their study of the California Missions, students created first person diary accounts, persuasive paragraphs, topographical maps, blueprints, and a model of their own 22nd mission! Students shared their knowledge and explained their thinking to parents who came to partake in the extravaganza! Following the exhibition, students debriefed as a group, discussing the following reflecti

This quarter, Emmarose’s group focused on the driving question "how do people come together to do great things?" by diving in to design thinking. They began their study by exploring their own strengths and challenges. They channeled these observations into the creation of superheroes who had the power to contribute in unique ways. Their goal was to solve real problems at Sycamore School. Students scoured the campus looking for issues to tackle. They also interviewed the ad