A Day in the Life of a Medical Expert

The students in my 3rd and 4th grade DEB are currently diving deep into their body systems unit, and I thought it would be the great idea to hear from a real-life medical professional! Nurse Practitioner Mr. Campos, who specializes in infectious diseases, visited our classroom to share insights about his job and how the body systems work together to keep us healthy.

Last week the students prepared for his visit by brainstorming questions about his career in the health field, what his daily routine is like when working in hospitals and doctor offices, and how to diagnose and treat infectious diseases. Mr. Campos walked us through his work, explaining how he cares for patients and helps fight infectious diseases. He also took time to answer many student questions. The students gained a better understanding of how the different body systems work together, and how it is so important to wash our hands to stay away from dirty germs! 

The students enjoyed the presentation. They engaged with Mr. Campos by asking follow up questions to statements he made. It is so important to transfer the knowledge we learn in the classroom to the real world. It gives the students a better understanding of the importance of what we learn in class and engages them more in the unit. 

   

Laundry Time for Pre-K!

 Ms. Kilkenny’s class is learning all about clothes.  This week we focused on how to take care of clothes and what happens when your clothes get dirty.  It is time to do some laundry!  We did a scientific experiment to see which soap made the most bubbles, liquid, powder or bar soap.

We are whisking up the different types of soaps to make bubbles.

Which one made more bubbles?

We recorded our answers:

Now that we know which soap made the most bubbles it is time to do some laundry!  

 

We washed our mittens!

2nd Grade Field Trip

In 2nd grade, we just finished up our nonfiction unit. In this unit, we talk about local history, and compare and contrast how things are different and the same from the past. We took a field trip to Naper Settlement to show students exactly what we were talking about in class!

On Thursday, we boarded the bus to Downtown Naperville. We had a jam-packed day of learning about how different school, jobs, chores, houses, and many other things were different in the past. This hands on field trip was SO much fun for the students, and they really gained a deeper understanding of how things were in the 1800s in our area. It was so fun to see students make connections to the topics we've discussed in class, to things right in front of them. Even though it was pretty chilly, we had a great time and the workers at Naper Settlement still made each station just as exciting for students.

Old Schoolhouse

Blacksmith shop

Learning traditional social gathering dances

Making our own butter

Print shop

Log cabin

We loved this field trip!

Love Through the Eyes of Our 6th Graders

This week, our students have been exploring the concept of love as a character strength in SEL. We have been discussing what it means, how it is shown, and the different forms it can take. From love for family and friends to kindness and compassion for others, they have reflected on the many ways love shapes our lives.

In celebration of Valentine’s Day, students took time to express their thoughts on love in a special way. Using 4x6 cardstock, they handwrote heartfelt messages answering prompts like "What love means to me..." and "Love is..." Their responses were touching, thoughtful, and uniquely their own. To add a personal touch, they decorated their notes with small designs, making each one a beautiful expression of their perspective on love.

These handwritten notes will be displayed in a meaningful way, not only in our classroom but also as part of a special event in my life. Incorporating my students' words into my wedding is a way to honor the meaningful work we do together and to celebrate the love and wisdom they share.

This activity was a wonderful way to connect learning with real-life experiences, reminding us all that love is more than a feeling. It is an action, a commitment, and a strength that we can all embody each day.

Chicago Fire Dioramas

Our third grade students recently wrapped up an incredible project exploring the Great Chicago Fire, bringing history to life through creative dioramas. After diving into the causes, impact, and lessons learned from the fire, they made miniature scenes that represented their biggest takeaways. Some focused on the rapid spread of the flames due to wooden buildings and strong winds, while others highlighted how Chicagoans think the fire started in a barn. This hands-on project allowed students to engage deeply with history, using their creativity to showcase the fire’s lasting effects.

To extend this learning, students shared their dioramas and knowledge with 5th graders. They explained the fire’s impact, the changes it led to in city planning, and how it shaped modern fire safety regulations. This project was a powerful reminder of how history can be made tangible and meaningful through creativity and collaboration.

Turning Games into Learning

 Students in 1st and 2nd grade have been learning all about instruments of the orchestra and how they are grouped. The four groups, or families, we have been focusing on are the Brass, Woodwind, String and Percussion families. We have studied all about what characteristics make each instrument unique and how that leads to their family identification. 

To start we went on an instrument safari where we located all of the instruments that were scattered about the wilderness and reunited them with their families on the orchestra stage. Students had to learn about each instrument and their characteristics in order to find them and had such fun playing the games to rescue them. 

Next we played matching, memory and coloring games to internalize our new found knowledge. Now we are working in learning centers to quiz each other on the characteristics, names and families of each of our new found instruments. The only thing left for us to become experts is to identify the instruments and families by listening to their unique timbres and sounds. 

Below, you will see some images of the students enjoying our games in centers.

Spin and Pick

Rock, Paper, Scissors; Around the World

Flick the Eraser

Spin and Pick

Making History Matter

In our classroom, we’ve been on a journey through history, uncovering the inner workings of our government and its connection to major historical events. Over the past few weeks, our focus has been on understanding how the three branches of government work together, rather than functioning as separate operations. By exploring real-world examples, students gained a deeper appreciation for the balance of power and the collaboration necessary to run our government.

We then transitioned into an exploration of the Civil Rights Movement. We studied how laws were challenged and changed through activism, courage, and perseverance. Key figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks came to life as we examined the important moments that shaped the movement—such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott, peaceful protests, and historic marches. Rather than just reading about these events, students engaged in meaningful discussions, sharing their thoughts and learning from one another.

To show their learning, students created infographics using Canva. This project encouraged them to think about the impact of different people and events on the movement. By combining research with creativity, students took ownership of their learning.

Fraction Fun in Fourth Grade

 Fourth grade is a big year for fractions! Kids move beyond the basics and dive into some key concepts.

• Equivalent Fractions: Students learn that 1/2 is the same as 2/4 or 3/6 and 2/3 = 4/6, using visuals and multiplication/division to find these equivalent forms. 

• Comparing Fractions: Which is bigger, 2/3 or 3/4? Fourth graders tackle this by comparing fractions with like denominators, and then learn strategies for comparing fractions with unlike denominators. Visual models, using benchmark fractions such as 1/2 or 1 whole, and finding common denominators are key tools.

• Adding and Subtracting Fractions: Once they can compare, they start calculating! Students begin by adding and subtracting fractions with like denominators. This builds the groundwork for more complex operations later on. They learn to model these equations using number lines and area models. 

Games, pictures, and real-life examples have helped make fractions more engaging and make these concepts stick. 

Fraction Top It

 

Mystery Reader

In kindergarten this year, we have been really working to get more parent involvement in the classroom. One way we have been able to do this was to invite parents in as mystery readers for our classroom. Each week, a different parent has volunteered their time to be able to come in and read one of their household favorite stories to the class. The students have no idea who is coming in each week and love the element of surprise that they have before seeing who will be coming in. The smiles and special treat of having a story read to them have been a highlight each week for both the students and the parents.

We look forward to continuing this in the future and celebrating the power of reading. 

MLS Testing

February is a busy month for our MLS students.  Every year MLS students participate in the ACCESS test, which is a nation wide English language acquisition assessment that measures their progress in listening, speaking, reading and writing.  It is a very intense assessment that requires a lot of patience and stamina from all of our students.  This year the students reflected on their scores from last year and thought about ways to improve in each category this year.  The students built off of each other's ideas and felt empowered to do a great job this year!  Take a look at some of the goals and strategies below, I for one think they are going to do AMAZING!

And lastly, take a look at my College and Career Day twin.  I promise this was not planned but we got a real kick out of our matching sweatshirts!