Latah Railway Visit! We even got to see behind the scenes! Thank YOU!!! Have a great Open House on December 10!!

Polar Express Room and Thomas the Train in  a 4 season layout that goes from desert to snow. It was so detailed. The inside of the trains have people reading and there were activities all over the place. The kids were so impressed by the imagination and fun.

Answering questions about Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, or Math. The kids were armed with questions about all kinds of things and were completely captivated by the detail and knowledge of everyone with Latah Railway Club. The members told stories of what they designed and how they created their work. They talked about the cooperative spirit it takes to do these huge layouts. Many were working in little areas on parts of a train or landscape. The biggest excitement was that the kids were able to walk behind the scenes in the big room and saw the knobs, unused trains, paper mache, and tools. 

 Everyone was so absorbed. The kids did a sketch of something
 wanted. The wrote vocabulary and took notes. We did a jig-saw protocol type of note taking. The kids got back with their group when we returned to compare notes

Waiting for the 10:18--- ALLLLLLLLLL Aboard!!!

Learning all the gauge differences. We go back in time to really understand--think Romans. It all starts with horses and carts.

 Palouse and Lewiston Rails

Members of the club showed up to talk to the kids. Latah Fairgrounds Director, Mr. Logan talked to the kids at lunch about the history of the fair and all the neat things that happen on the fairgrounds.

THE BIG ROOM-- This layout is huge!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ever repairing and creating...

Kids GIVE...part of learning about nonprofits and philanthropy

We had visitors to start the giving thanks season.  It is always a pleasure to work with the people that run Kids Give.  The 4th grade met Ms. Gillian and she taught about the non profits in Latah County. The kids worked in cooperative groups to choose the groups they wanted to give to.

Learning how to help and who to help is what 4th graders love. They are very able
to understand and ask about how things work.

They first discussed the groups and what they did. Then each table had $10 dollars (quite a few made sure it wasn't coming from their pocket right then!!:))  It was money donated by patrons of who shopped at the Moscow Food Co-Op that gave 10 cents for this organization. Most of the 4th grade classrooms in the area get to learn about philanthropy and choose which organizations they want to donate. In doing this, they learn about what other value and building consensus.

Our class gave most to animals and the environment. We did a bar graph and some analysis the next day in math.

 After learning  about each organization,  the kids then prioritized the ones they
wanted to support before getting into groups.

 Making decisions about who will read, or anything shared is always quickly solved with best 2 out of 3 Rock, Paper, Scissors. There are loads of things they learn doing this -- randomness, strategy, fair play, fun.

Working diligently together. :)

2 Totally Cute Pictures of 4th at AHM and on the bridge at Good Sam--then lots of pictures of the kids at work helping rake leaves at Good Samariatan

With the Appaloosa Beauty how was on site. There are different horses there as owners loan

Touring the AMAZING ground of Good Samaritan. It is one of the major reasons that residents choose the facility, Mr. Jesse Watson said. He is in charge of Marketing and Outreach for the village and has given the kids great facts about what Good Samaritan does. It was a great surprise to have a sunny day after a week of rain. I had told the kids we would work come rain or shine and I had planned on supplying big garbage bags that would become large raincoat ponchos! :)

This is Mr. John talking to the kids about the place and what he does. He is the only maintenance worker and was glad to have the help. As with all the professionals we have met, he gave them facts about his job, as well as, how much he loves what he does. He taught them the difference between deciduous and coniferous trees. The kids laughed because at first they thought he said carnivours-- and we have spent so much time learning about the adaptation of those types of plants, it was a good chuckle and oooh!

1,2,3 and into the truck! The kids filled it up. It took quite a few trips of leaves loaded on to sheets. 

Yay! All done with one area and onward to the next place, but first a lesson in composting.

Appaloosa Horse Museum and Miniature Railway Experts-- both part of human engineering. Touring Good Samaritan Village

One of the many amazing posters created each year to celebrate the Appaloosa and are on display at the
Appaloosa Horse Museum

Thousands of years ago horses are drawn on cave walls---could these be leopard appaloosa?

The Nez Perce were breeders and creatorts of beautiful beaded ornamentation for themselves and their horses.

The museum is full of facts that the kids collected on their note catchers.

Using the Moscow Pullman Daily News for a Science Article study. The kids learn to look for text to self, other texts, and world connections to engage with the writing. We discuss the facts, learn to cite the location of the information and make deeper meaning about the material from a STEAM perspective.

Speaking of STEAM, 2 members of the Latah Miniature Railway Group came to educate the kids about the STEAM connections in the railroad industry. These two men, Mr. Joe Overstreet and Mr. Jerry Swatman have either worked or been involved in some way with trains their whole lives. Each presented in depth knowledge about all aspects of how trains were the premiere transportation model. It was super interesting and the kids will be able to visit the trains at the Latah Fairgrounds soon.  The explained steam to diesel, grades, and memories of work.

While the men were talking--someone thought about the Boxcar Kid Series and I pulled up a picture. Then Mr. Jerry gave lots of mathematical facts about boxcars from weight empty to how many are on a train to where the cargo is carried. 

About to enter the Good Samaritan Village for our first tour by Jesse Watson. The kids were able to see 16 different areas and learn about the what, who, and why behind  the whole organization. We also had an activity with some of the residents and planned our next visit. We will help do some service by raking leaves. That will be fun!

In the cafeteria and getting the information about how many meals are made, who eats there and how they organize the room.

A library with no check out---honor system. That was a new idea for the kids.

Happy together

A pumpkin pair

Pumpkins that hangout together.

Great personalities hang out together.

Just general good feelings were shared.

They were a true reflection of their creators. :)

Art comes to life.

Stickers and zombies did influence one tables creations.

The kids had the option to paint on the pumpkins too.

It was a very fun activity planned by Good Samaritan and the kids loved it. The staff was terrific to work with and our next step is matching up Pen Pals. The kids get so much out of writing letters in cursive and receiving letters in cursive. The excitement of making a new friend and help the kids learn about the past and people's lives is invaluable.

This gorgeous tree was across the tree from Good Sam.

In our classroom...

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These drawings on the whiteboard were done during Chinese as Teacher Fu has been teaching body parts. The class was broken into teams and each got a chance to add one part. And of course say the parts. We know a song now that helps to remember the language.

UI Math Block Student, Ms. Cowperthwaite teaching math.

Student Teacher, Mrs. Strawn helping direct the math learning.