Explore the Light Fantastic!
Mrs. Barad - Room 11

In this course, students enter the magical world of light and color.  Students will engage in hands-on investigations to explore the properties of light, shadows, lenses, mirrors, color and vision.  The course includes study of various types of lenses to determine their magnification and focal length.  Students learn about the history of lens use in telescopes and microscopes.   They study the properties of light and build pinhole viewers and kaleidoscopes as demonstrations of some of those properties.  Participants investigate and mix colors, both additive and subtractive, and learn how that relates to color production in television and computer monitors.  They study mirrors and learn about the law of reflection.  Students learn about the mechanics of eyesight, including color and depth perception and persistence of vision.  Our culminating project will be to study the structure of the eye by dissecting a preserved sheep’s eye.  Course content supports third grade physical science standards, as well as those surrounding investigation and experimentation.  Experiments are conducted in accordance with the scientific method, and require students to collect, record, and evaluate data.  

Your child will participate in four weeks of art activities based upon third grade content and performance standards in the areas of language arts and visual and performing arts.  They will become familiar with various art media as they engage in activities to enrich their knowledge of the fine arts.   Students will explore fine arts using line, texture, color, and perspective.  These activities will involve literature, art, and the study of artists.   In these four short weeks your students will create three pieces of art integrating the forces of color, shape, and perspective. They will enrich their knowledge of art by studying famous artists.  They will conduct research on an artist of their choice, and prepare a mini-report.

A basic course in electricity and computer hardware.  Designed for individuals who are interested in how things around them work.  Based on the physical science content and performance standards, this is a course in which students study functions of electrical and computer apparatus.  Topics will be investigated through laboratory experiences.  Upon completion, graduates may be inclined to take apart small appliances at home and shop at Radio Shack for parts.

By exploring the literature book Talking Walls by Margy Burns Knight, the students will study various cultures that represent the people around the world.  Based on the third grade history/social science content and performance standards, the students will examine the physical, visual, literary, and musical sources of different cultures.   Students will understand the importance of a multicultural perspective that respects the dignity and worth of all peoples.  Through hands-on activities and research, the students will gain an awareness of the vast array of individuals in our world.

Imagine yourself in a huge arena surrounded by thousands of eager spectators.  From chariot to yacht races, explore the fascinating 2,800 year old history of the world renowned Olympics.  During this active four-week course, students will read, write, and finally collaborate to design a mini-Olympics for the primary grades.   Each class will travel to the ARCO training center located in Chula Vista.  Parent drivers will be needed for this one-of-a kind field trip.

Presenting Reader’s Theater!  Reader’s Theater is a form of oral presentation with an emphasis on reading aloud rather than memorization.  The students will be reading many all-time favorite folktales and fables from around the world in script form.  The folktales and fables are powerful pieces of literature that tell about other places and times, thereby enhancing both our social studies and multicultural programs.  The folktales and fables also feature rich language and serve as ideal models for students’ writing endeavors.  The tales we will read have important messages such as good vs. evil and honesty is a virtue.  But most important, the students will learn to appreciate folktales and fables.  At the end of each four-week rotation, the students will perform the folktales and fables.  Each child will bring home a ticket indicating performance day and time.