Friday Feature: Science on a Shoestring

One of the second semester modules in Caroline's GT Class this year was called "Science on a Shoestring." She really enjoyed it, to the point that we talked about maybe someday being both an ornithologist AND an electrical engineer!

Their capstone project was to build either a series or a parallel circuit with materials that clearly explain the module's Science on a Shoestring title: a shirt box top, masking tape, brads, and aluminum foil. The design was up to each individual, and I love Caroline's choice!

Check out how her engineering comes to life in this video:

Friday Feature: My Future Scientist

I've said it before, and I'm sure I'll say it again, maybe a thousand times: my kids can be anything they want to be when they grow up.

As long as it's a scientist or engineer.

I've been delighted with Caroline's recent stories about what they're learning in GT. Most recently, she came home totally enthused about an experiment in circuitry that involved C batteries; aluminum foil; and a light bulb. She was the first one in her class to get the light bulb to light up, and I've taken to calling her my little Electrical Engineer.

Today, some other GT work came home, and I feel like I may need to alternate between giving her Juice props and encouraging a field that mostly eluded me in my academic career: Chemistry.

The GT unit they've spent several weeks on is called "Science on a Shoestring," but it has included some pretty advanced topics, including an overview of the periodic table. Chemistry was never my strong suit. Physics? No problem. Chemistry? Never could get those equations to balance quite right. So I'm pretty excited that it's been introduced in third grade, and far more excited that Caroline is so interested in it.

Part of the unit was learning about famous scientists, and you can see here that Caroline chose Marie Curie:

We stand on the shoulders of giants, the women of the 21st century. I hope that Caroline is inspired to someday join their ranks.

Friday Feature: Caroline's GT Showcase

I'm behind on some of the family adventures - Caroline had a big week a couple of weeks ago, with a school choir program and then a district-wide showcase of the work by the Gifted and Talented (GT) classes.

Caroline is an excellent student, but hands down, GT is her favorite part of school. She looks forward to Wednesdays and Thursdays with enthusiasm unmatched by any other subject, and sings Ms. Murphy's praises on a regular basis. I share her excitement for the program; it challenges her, the curriculum includes subjects that would never be part of the common core, and she clearly feels more comfortable in that environment than in her regular classroom. If it weren't for GT, my 8 year old would not yet know her professional path in life; instead, thanks to a unit last year, she has already firmly established that she wants to be an ornithologist when she grows up. I'll contact Cornell in a couple of years about financial aid.

As for the here and now, this year has included an interesting unit on ancient civilizations. We headed over to the newest elementary school in town for the showcase, guided by the highly knowledgeable midgeroo:

Caroline learned to write her name in cuneiform; learned about the ancient Mesopotamians; and helped assemble a time capsule for future civilizations to know what life in NW Arkansas in 2014 was like.

Mesopotamian cylinder seal with Caroline's initials and a Greek pot with Greek letters

Drawing of an Egyptian with heiroglyphics

The Time Capsule for 2014 Arkansas

We've been happy with our local school district, and our kids have been fortunate to have good teachers. Ms. Murphy, though, really has made a difference for Caroline in school. I'm so grateful that she's helped her bloom and grow.

Friday Feature: Caroline's schoolwork

Extraordinary - or "Extrordanay," but a pretty good attempt - not really a word I expected my second grader to use. Lo and behold, her GT work came hone, and there it was.

I could totally appreciate the way she described time moving. I could appreciate even more the face she gave herself when time was dragging by. That is one unhappy kid at a school desk. So unhappy, her face is bright orange.

I hope she finds some of the little moments to be as extraordinary as I do, even when they're moments spent doing math.

Friday Feature: Caroline's GT schoolwork

Proud mom brag: Caroline is in the Gifted and Talented program at school. I am not only proud, I am grateful, since the hours on Tuesday and Thursday that she spends in the GT classroom are, hands down, her favorite hours of the week.

The subjects they study in GT are totally different than typical schoolwork. Recently, they completed a block of instruction on Robin Hood and his Merry Men. Caroline learned not just about the historical figures, but was challenged to consider whether they were real or myth; whether they did good or bad by stealing from the rich to give to the poor; whether Robin Hood was a hero or a villain.

The poster and accompanying song lyrics that Caroline brought home this week clearly put her in the camp of: he was a good guy!