Social+Studies

Social Studies Civics
 * Social Studies and Science with Ms. Dinner **

 O**ur first social studies unit focuses on civics. This being an election year we have been learning about how someone becomes president, the jobs of a president, and the three branches of government. After learning about the president’s large responsibilities most of the kids said, “No thank you” to becoming the next president, but we never know!** Geography and History ==== **Our other Social Studies units explore Denver and Colorado history. We will begin with a unit on the Native American Tribes of Colorado. We will learn when the Native Americans arrived in Colorado and why they stayed in this region. Later in the year we will study the Colorado state map, how trappers and traders, westward expansion and the gold rush changed Colorado and formed Denver. Lucky for us, this unit lends itself to many field trip opportunities! Ask your student what they have learned about the history of our great state ! **====

Science =Electricity =

=== This unit is electrified with fun, exploration, observation and finding results! During the first couple lessons, the students explore how to build a circuit using a bulb or motor, wires, and a battery. They will then analyze there data t conclude what materials are good conductors and what are insulators. Next, we will build a switch and compare this to how our household switches operate. Talk with your student about all the household items that run using electricity. ===

=Solar System =

===Objects in the Sky. During this unit we will study the moon phases, and how our moon orbits Earth. We will also look at different constellations in the sky and make up our own constellation and myth story. How planets spin and orbit the sun will be next on the agenda and why Pluto is no longer a planet. Ask your student to tell you the mnemonic to remember the planets order from the sun. Each student will then research a planet of their choice and create a digital project to show what they learned. Needless, to say we will be very busy visiting space! ===

=Lifecycles =

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 * In order to study lifecycles and the lifespan of species, we will have some new classroom pets. We will be observing them as they hatch and sprout. After making daily observations, collecting data, we will analyze our results and report our findings on powerpoint. **=====