Latitude and Longitude
Students have been working with latitude and longitude throughout the course of the week. We reviewed terms such as compass rose, Prime Meridian, cartographer and more. Many children were able to determine coordinates out to minutes and seconds. 
Throughout the beginning of the school we visit the Constitution and explore the branches of government as well as what it means to be a citizen. Election years are always exciting because we get to explore the candidates and their views. This year is especially contentious with our current candidates. The students watched some of the debate, discussed the issues and even brainstormed some well thought out plans for getting what they want out of the candidates. One plan was to take Trump's ideas of changing laws of commerce along with Clinton's ideas for creating jobs and putting them together. This turned into one of them becoming President while the other became Vice President. Maybe this idea would not work, but it was a carefully considered plan for any fifth grader.
After completing our Government Brochures, the children role played the different branches of government. The Legislative Branch decided on an unfair law, "Only rich children will be offered an education." The Executive Branch quickly vetoed the law and the Legislative Branch had to rewrite the law making education available to all students. But, what if the President had not made that decision? What if he had passed the law? Well, we explored that possibility as well. Ask your child to see how it ended. Hint, hint, hint...there's one more branch!
Our exploration of government is complete but student interest is high. We may be continuing on with the issue of Presidency until we have a new President. I wonder how the students will take the results.
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| Topic at hand: Should May be declared the Month of Kindness? |
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| State Representative addresses Francis Wyman's 4th and 5th Graders. The process of how a bill becomes a law is explained prior to witnessing the event. |
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| It was interesting to hear what happens and then witness the process unfold. |
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| So, just how does a bill become a law? Where will it go next? |
Throughout the late fall and winter, we have discovered that the conquerors weren't just the bad guys who ended great civilizations but also the time honored explorers. We've focused on the Aztec, Inca and Maya people and how these civilizations ended. Now,we leave the learning up to the children. The research is for the children to decipher. Students were given directions, examples and links to follow. Direct instruction was offered in short mini-lessons with the emphasis being on the children making their own discoveries. Take a gander at how they did!
Next the children had to decide what direction we have to travel to head towards the treasure. We stopped at major intersections along the way to calibrate and plan. First stop the intersection at the library or the office! The adventure continued to various stopping points around the building where we continued to practice our honing skills. East, West, North or South relied completely on their skills to compare their current location to that of the treasure. 
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Next the children had to decide what direction we have to travel to head towards the treasure. They even came up with exact locations to go to to get a new set of coordinates to compare. First stop the office! Second stop, the gym. Next, the corner of the gym. And finally, the storage closet, but where is the loot?
The treasure was a set of secrets only the select few were made privy to. A set of teacher pictures from way back when. A series of secrets only shared with a select few. Who sported big hair and batons? Who danced or rode horses? You may never know, but the children do. 
In the end, the treasure box was filled with weekend fun starting with the mustaches the children all wore home Friday afternoon. So the pirate booty was full of good times, learning and imagination. What more could we all ask for? Have a great weekend!
