Category: Hoot Owls

Here is one of the most dedicated distance learning student working on her sea creature research project. Miss Traci asked students to pick a sea creature that they wanted to learn more about and find out: Where does it live? What does it eat? Is it a predator, prey or both? Is it a fish, mammal, crustacean or other? Is it venomous? What does it look like? Draw a picture of the creature.

The Hoot Owls have been talking about different ways to do research in class. Books, Internet, experiments, ask an expert. Miss Traci really liked assigning this project because it actually wasn’t something they are able to do in class with each student because it takes so much individualized attention. It worked as a distance learning project because they could work one on one with a parent and take all the time they needed. Their theme for March is sea life.

#SaklanDistanceLearning

Last month, the Hoot Owls learned about abstract artist, Alma Woodsey Thomas! The class talked about abstract art vs. representational art. The Hoot Owls studied a few of Thomas’s paintings and talked about how the paintings made them feel. They also took inspiration from her colorful style with two different art projects. First, the Hoot Owls used paper rectangles to create circular artwork. This was a challenge for their fine motor skills and attention spans. Many students chose to revisit the project on the second day. Revisiting difficult projects teaches perseverance.

Next, the Hoot Owls practiced painting with delicate brush strokes. They experimented with small, medium and large brushes. Most students were not used to painting this way, but they all did a fabulous job!

#SaklanCreative

The Hoot Owls spent the month of February learning about pond life. They learned about the life cycles of different pond creatures. They also talked about how plants and animals work together to create healthy environments. The Hoot Owls were able to study plants, bugs and pollen up close when they visited Ms. O in the Science Lab! The students looked at these specimen under real microscopes! The Hoot Owls were also excited to see Ms. O’s fish tanks and lego wall!

#SaklanScience

January began the Hoot Owls’ winter theme. They have been exploring some exciting science and math concepts through this theme. The Hoot Owls strengthen their fine motor skills once again by using pipettes to create icicles.

However, the Hoot Owls didn’t create these amazing works of art all on their own. They had a lot of help from a very important force called gravity! Miss Jessica talked with the students about gravity, but no explanation would suffice without giving the Hoot Owls the opportunity to experience it for themselves!

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The Hoot Owls explored symmetry with a few different projects. First, they studied pictures of real snowflakes that had been taken under a microscope. Next, they used craft sticks to make snowflakes that were the same on both sides. The students continued to learn about symmetry by making folded paper snowflakes. When the Hoot Owls opened up the snowflake, they found a symmetrical winter surprise!

The Hoot Owls also made symmetrical paintings. They used a folded piece of paper to paint anything they wanted. When their painting was complete, they folded the paper in half. The paint from the first side transferred to the second side revealing symmetrical masterpieces!

#SaklanCreative

For the month of December, the Hoot Owls studied reptiles and had a lot of fun researching them. A guest expert from East Bay Vivarium came to Saklan yesterday and the children had a chance to see, touch and hold the animals.

Patterning is an important early math skill that is practiced often in the Pre-Kindergarten room. Hoot Owls worked on pattern making by exploring patterns seen in nature. The children compared the patterns of the venomous coral snake and the harmless king snake. Hoot Owls chose to copy the pattern of either snake while also working on their fine motor skills.

Process art focuses on the student’s experience while creating art, not on the end product. Process art allows children to make their own choices, ask questions and experiment. Students have the opportunity to make mistakes, explore materials and gain confidence while using their imagination and their senses. Hoot Owls thought about snakes and how snakes move while painting with thick pieces of yarn!

Hoot Owls strengthened their fine motor skills and sculpting skills while working with air dry clay. They used the information they learned about reptiles to freely create a reptile of their choosing. Careful! They might bite!

#SaklanCreative