Geography Fair Resources

The Geography Fair is in top gear, and all Shingobee students should be busy finding out about their topics. We encourage students to visit their local library to get more resources for their research projects.

The Internet is a wonderful place for up-to-date information; however, it can also be a source of misinformation. Please establish good search engine habits early!

When "googling" a topic, try these five tips:

1) Oldies-but-goodies: Instead of typing your question into a search engine right away, try databases or library catalogs first. Wikipedia is a lot better than it used to be, but it is never a bad idea to begin with established and institutionalized knowledge sources. Here are some websites to try for geography, science and history:

• CIA World Factbook: One stop shopping for country research.
• Encyclopedia Britannica: A tried-and-true Wikipedia alternative.
• National Geographic Kids: Good for geography, includes multiple topics.
• The Why Files (Science Behind the News): This site talks about science in the news.
• Bitesize Science (British site): This site has interactives and games.
• Everyday Mysteries (Answers to common science questions from the Library of Congress)
• Exploratorium Websites: Use the list on the left-hand side to find more.
• Ology: The American Museum of Natural History Kids Site: Great resources on all the "ologies".

NASA, NOAA, and other government sites are also helpful places to look for photographs and data.

2) Keep scrolling down: Check out multiple results rather than the highlighted or first answer that appears. Often, companies can pay more to have their website listed at the top of a search. Just because it's first doesn't mean it is the best source.

3) Use text, not pictures: Instead of searching through Images only, click on the link and read the website where the image is located. You might find that something that "looks" right isn't what it says it is.

4) Just READ: Sometimes the information you want is further down on the page or in a link. If you don't immediately see a headline answering your question, that is okay. Keep looking!

5) When in doubt, ask for help! If you're not sure if a source is credible or appropriate, ask an adult or guide. Write down the URL or print out the article to help. Remember, the World Wide Web requires navigation, supervision and guidance, just like the real wide world outside.

Happy researching!

Even more cool links!

In our endless quest to find amazing learning tools on the Internet, we offer more exciting links for your perusal. This video, from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, animates the story of scientist Alfred Wegener, who developed a theory of continental drift. 

Students have been learning about Native sovereignty and treaty-making as part of Minnesota studies. In lieu of homework this week, 5th and 6th years have an assignment to explore how perspectives on land, relationships and power shifted between the 1700s and 1800s in the area that was to become Minnesota territory. The links below will help them with these activities (see directions in the homework folder and pdf below).

• The Ways, Video stories of Indigenous cultures around the Great Lakes: http://theways.org/
• Map of U.S. Territorial Acquisitions: https://nationalmap.gov/small_scale/mld/usacqup.html
• Minnesota Treaty List and Information: http://treatiesmatter.org/treaties  
• United States Territorial Expansion: http://mappinghistory.uoregon.edu/english/US/US09-01.html
• Northwest Ordinance, 1787: https://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?flash=false&doc=8
• Fort Snelling, Minnesota Historical Society: http://www.historicfortsnelling.org/history/military-history/expansionist-era
• Virtual Exhibition on Minnesota Treaties: http://treatiesmatter.org/exhibit/welcome/

Access a Google Doc of the Assignment here

November Classroom Update

With the flurries of snow outside, we have also had a flurry of work here in Shingobee. Students have been exploring algebra and fractions and having fun with angles and area. In Minnesota Studies, 5th and 6th years have been looking at the interactions between European fur traders and Indigenous peoples, culminating in the performance of a short play for Shingobee and Rice Creek classmates. In science, the whole class has focused on the composition of the Earth and the elements that make it up. There's a lot more that has been happening as well! Read on...

• Conferences: We are looking forward to seeing you all at conferences this week. The students have selected works they are excited to share with you. This year, the 5th and 6th years will be leading their conferences and sharing their accomplishments and goals for the year. 4th year students do not have to attend, but have selected the works of which they are most proud to share with you.

• Upper El Potluck Feast: Wednesday, November 23rd at 12:15.  Students have signed up for food (see list at conferences and more info at the end of this e-mail). It is our hope that students will prepare the food they choose themselves, with some help from adults. We are also seeking donations of compostable plates and flatware by November 22nd.

• Changes for our Animal Friends: Last month we lost Tesla II, one of our gerbils. We buried him in the garden and sang songs and thanked him for being a loved member of our community. Since then, three new pets  have joined our room: two new gerbils (Colbolt and Tesla III) and a new bunny (Shadow). Shadow was in need of a new home and came to us with a hutch and all of the supplies and food to last a few months! 

• Critter Cash Committee Update: Thanks to all of you, the pet committee raised quite a bit of money at their recent bake/book sale! We hope to have another sale on December 15 so that we can buy food and supplies for all of our pets. If you have leftover greens (kale, carrot tops, broccoli stems, etc.) please send them in! Shadow and the rabbit in the Crow Wing classroom would love to take them off your hands. 

In this season of colder weather and shorter days, our class has been reflecting within. Each morning, we focus on what brings us peace and happiness and what we are thankful for. We are thankful for your partnership in supporting the work we do in class by helping us create a caring environment for learning.

Last but not least, we have a message from the Student Feast Committee about a community meal next Wednesday: 

Hello Upper El Families, 

We, the Student Feast Committee, are busily preparing for our Upper El Potluck Feast next Wednesday, November 23rd.  Our feast will start at 12:15, immediately following recess.  Students will sign up for foods to bring today, Wednesday, November 15.  It is our hope that students will prepare the food they choose themselves, with some help from adults.    

We are also asking for families to donate compostable flatware, paper plates and napkins, and paper cups.  Shingobee families should send in paper plates and compostable flatware if you are able. If you are willing to send in these items, please do so by Tuesday, November 22nd.  

Please send food in serving dishes that don't have to be plugged in (crockpots).  We will keep food hot or cold in coolers.  Please send serving utensils with your dish.  Label both and we'll make sure they are returned to your child at the end of the day.  

Please list ingredients for each dish so we can help students with dietary restrictions chose their food.  Small signs for each dish created by your student would be helpful.  

We will serve food buffet style and mix students among upper el classrooms for lunch together.  

We are seeking six adult volunteers to help with clean up following the feast (1-1:45pm).  If you are available, please sign up here.

Thank you for your contributions!

Sincerely, the students of the UE Student Feast Committee.