2005-2006
Fifth Graders were very excited to receive a response letter from Governor Jeb Bush of Florida. As part of our Oceanography unit, students studied problems facing the endangered manatee and brainstormed ways to help protect this amazing animal. Students evaluated their solution ideas to choose the best one. They then wrote letters to Governor Bush describing their ideas. The Governor thanked us for our concern and detailed plans.
Star number 56031 now has a new name! Through the Royal Stellar Society, the star formerly known as 56031 in the Perseus Constellation is now named "Ocee Elementary TAG". This name is recorded in the Library of Congress.
Volunteers from the KidChess organization visited Third Grade classes on October 14 to guide students through the strategic thinking involved in the game of chess. Check out kidchess.com for games.
The Fifth Grade classes are "adopting" a humpback whale named Colt. Our "adoption" will help to protect whales and other marine animals. To see his picture, go to
http://whaleadoption.org.
We are very excited to be participating in the River of Words arts and environmental program. On days that it connects to our unit study, students in grades 1-5 will write poems about water. This is an excellent way to integrate science, social studies and language arts. Poems will be submitted as part of an international project.
River of Words is sponsored by the Georgia Center for the Book and Georgia Project Water Education for Teachers. It publishes an annual poetry book of winning submissions, as selected by Robert Haas. The contest is free, and every participant is acknowledged with a "Watershed Explorer" certificate. For additional information, please see www.riverofwords.org.