Welcome to the newsletter of the Gifted and Talented classes of the Miller School! This newsletter will be published periodically throughout the year, and you will find information about all of the fantastic activities we do with our students. We will also post upcoming events and important dates at the bottom along with links to each of our web pages.
This edition will focus on the Cells and Microscopic Organisms Learning Unit for our 4th grade GT students! As you read, you will be introduced to the learning unit and see the multitude of activities the students completed while learning about cells, scientific classification, microscopes, and microscopic organisms!
Throughout this learning unit, the 4th grader GT students learned about cells and microscopic organisms. They began, however, by learning how scientists classify all living things using the Linnaeus system of classification and name them through binomial nomenclature. From there, they dove a bit deeper and discovered the difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and then plant and animal cells.
Unbeknownst to them, these student scientists were gaining knowledge to prepare them to delve into the wild world of microscopic organisms! They began by taking a "Virtual Pond Dip" on the computer and learned about 10 specific organisms. They classified each by kingdom and phylum, and then graphed their findings. By doing this, they not only shared scientific data with their peers, but they also learned how to use Google Sheets to create awesome graphs and charts! Check out some samples here!
To get to know our microscopic organisms better, each student to created a poster (see Miss Hunt's sample to the right!) about one of the nine microscopic organisms we studied. When doing this, they had to include the following:
Name of critter (Title of poster)
Kingdom
Phylum
A minimum of four (4) additional facts about this critter
A minimum of three (3) pictures/graphics of your critter
Any other complimentary graphics (Google) that you want to add - be sure you use transparent backgrounds!)
To make their poster, the students were introduced to a new on-line program called Canva. Canva is a design and publishing tool that is used to create a variety of media. Using the free education version, (Thank you, Canva!) students were able to let their creative juices flow! Not only were their final products stunning, but the lead up to completion was a fantastic learning experience for everyone, including Miss Hunt and Mrs. Pettit! Their enthusiasm, willingness to share ideas, assist each other, and teach one another some of the cool things they learned while making their own poster was just awesome to watch!
**Please note that the many of the posters included some type of animation. However, the posters pictured here are static.
Finally, the big day was here! Our microscopic organisms arrived, and the students had to put all of their scientific knowledge together to try and identify each organism. The microscope used was the compound microscope that was connected to a tablet and capable of taking photos and videos of samples seen with it.
Student scientists worked in collaborative groups and had to identify each organism they saw using several identifiable characteristics they studied in the week leading up to this. After looking at the organism, they had to determine what it was by examining its color, shape, how it moved, and means of propulsion. It was quite a learning experience! They not only discussed and defended their ideas within their own group, but also with the entire class! It was exciting to see these budding microbiologists put all of their knowledge into practice!
After watching our organisms live on the microscopes and tablets, the students were tasked with discussing their defining characteristics and matching them with each organism. Each group was given cards that had organism names, color, shape, how it moves, and how it propels itself. They had to decide what went with each organism and how to logically present their findings. It was great watching to them work together, discussing each aspect and explaining their point of view while defending their position!
Click the link below for our individual web pages. Contact information for each teacher is found on their sites.
