All About Animals
During our 1st session, we discussed all the reasons why everyone chose this cluster. The kids offered their ideas about what they had in mind when they read the All About Animals cluster description & what they wanted our cluster to look like. There were 2 main themes among the ideas. One was to help save shelter animals in the Austin area, & the other was to help save endangered animals in the wild. All the kids agreed that they wanted our cluster to work towards helping animals. The class decided to split into 2 groups, one for shelter animals & one for wild animals. The wild animals group discussed as a team & decided that they wanted to research the top endangered animal species list & write a book educating people on these animals, why they're endangered, & what we can do to prevent their extinction. The shelter animals group brainstormed ideas & voted on holding a Dog Beauty Pageant using shelter dogs. They hope that this will encourage audience members to adopt a dog instead of buying one. They'd also like to make homemade dog treats & toys to hand out as prizes to the dog contestants & possibly sell at the pageant to raise money for the shelter. Next session, the wild animals group will need to begin their research & the shelter animals group will be writing a proposal to send to Mr. Bechtol in hopes of getting approval for the pageant. They will also need to reach out to a local shelter to establish a partnership if Mr. Bechtol approves. Snack Attack Snack Attack started by naming several snacks we like to eat after school. We discussed the importance of exercise and good nutrition to maintain a healthy body. Making good snack choices is important for all of us. Students discovered a small milkshake at Chick-fil-a or McDonald's can have as much as 762 calories! We discussed other options and soon the room was buzzing with the sound of blenders. Students worked in small groups to make MOCK chocolate and strawberry milkshakes! The milkshakes were made with frozen fruit and strawberries and topped with a small dollop of fresh whipped cream! It was a great way to end the day and Mr. Bechtol said the shake was delicious! Fourth and fifth graders started clusters last Friday, Sept. 30th! Wow! See all the choices below! Pictures coming soon!!
Do You Dare? Are you afraid of the dark? Do creepy-crawlers creep you out? Do you think there are monsters under your bed? Come join us on a monster-mystery tour as we explore the fun side of the dark and mysterious.... Joy Drive Leadership Team Let’s have the biggest and most exciting Joy Drive ever this year!! Come help lead the school in this super fun event that involves everyone, Kinder through 5th grade, in bringing toys and joy to children all over Austin. Come with your fresh ideas and your leadership skills to make those ideas come to life while offering all our Blue Jays a festive, fun, and rewarding experience. You will love it!! * This cluster is limited to 5th grade children. If you are in 4th, please choose another cluster. Sculpt it, Create it! Come explore creating and designing in a 3D world. Find balance, rhythm, and motion in the materials you use. Will you carve, cast, assemble, or model to form your creations? Let's start designing. Snack Attack Toss out the junk food and start making snack time healthy and fun! Come create kid-friendly snacks that are sure to please the pallet. Sample something new that will help keep you healthy and happy! ACT 1 – Drama and Theater Do you love to watch movies? Do you love to use your imagination? Have you thought it would be fun to be an actor? If so, then this cluster is for you! We will discover new ways to use our voices, body language and expression to create a character. You will begin to develop your stage presence and understand basic theater language. You will learn how to project your voice and communicate feelings in a whole new way! Come discover the amazing potential that only you hold! Yoga Haven Bustling hallways, blaring TV sets, and screaming siblings. Don’t we all need a place to get away? A healthy mind and body can be achieved through means other than high-impact sports like football and gymnastics. Join us in an environment that includes music as an inspiration to build mindfulness, energy, and strength! Namaste. All About Animals Can you hear that? It's the Call of the Wild! Animals play an important role in earth's ecosystem as well as providing entertainment and joy to humans. Join us as we explore the animal kingdom and learn more about our furry friends. We'll have a beastly good time! Crazy Cartooning Do you like to read comic books? Do you look forward to the Sunday newspaper just so you can read the comics? Do you like to draw? If this interests you then come and join our Crazy Cartooning group. Create your own comic strip and learn how to draw like a professional cartoonist. Sport Innovators What new sport would you create and/or alter if you were given the opportunity? Do you enjoy making up new games at recess or in your neighborhood with friends? In this cluster, you will understand the basic components that make a game successful and design your ideal sport with your own rules and equipment. The possibilities are endless and your creation could be the next big thing! Lights! Camera! Action! Do you dream of starring in your own movie? Or maybe you wish to be behind the camera filming or directing? You will have a chance to do both while also designing scenery and creating props. If you are interested in filming, acting, costuming, or directing this cluster is for you! 1,2,3, Fore! Have you ever wondered what it would be like to travel the world playing a sport you love? Pull out your putter and your irons to practice your long shot and your short game. Join us as we discover the professional world of golf. *Golfing equipment will be provided. Power Cookies Do you enjoy having a scrumptious snack after a long day of school? Do you ever feel like you don’t have the energy or brain power to do your homework at night? If so, Power Cookies is the place for you! In Power Cookies, we will explore what foods give our bodies and brains lasting energy and then disguise them in a cookie that will melt in your mouth! How awesome would it be if something as simple and delicious (like a cookie!) could get you through a long day? Join us in the kitchen of Power Cookie! Chemistry in a Bag Do you like to get your hands dirty and explore through a chemist’s eyes? Have you ever thought about how chemistry could fit into a bag? Are you a curious person? If so, come join and discover what it’s all about! Inventors and Inventions Have you ever wondered how things work? We are going to explore how some everyday things in our world work and learn about the people who invented them! |