Mrs. Covington

New Bat Exhibit at the Chattahoochee Nature Center

Bats on Schedule at CNC! 

Opening Event is this Saturday   

Photo by Stephanie Wilcox  Our newest exhibit features a ten foot wide tree depicting bats found around the world!

 

When:  Saturday, Oct. 1

11 am - 3 pm

 

Where: Near the Ben Brady Lakeside Pavilion  

  

Free with CNC admission and membership!   

 

Opening Day Events

Saturday, October 1, 2011

 

11 - 3 pm

Throughout the day,  

from 11 am - 3 pm in the Nature Exchange, explore our traveling bat trunk that goes out to schools by crawling in a bat cave, creating bat poetry, and exploring cool bat facts.

 

  11 - 11:25 am

Opening Ceremony

Ribbon Cutting/Photos

 

Our partners from the Georgia Bat Working Group will be on hand to answer all of your questions about bats!

 

11:25 am - 11:45 am

Refreshments

 

Noon - 12:45 pm  

and

1 pm - 1:45 pm  

Vicki Smith - Bat expert presentation which includes

live bat demonstration

 

1 pm - Trail Hike

 

2 - 3 pm

Special viewing of Georgia Public Broadcasting's

"Go Wild - Bats" in the Cowie Weiss Theater

 

2 - 3 pm

Bat stories, games, dances and more with Ms. Julia  

in the Ben Brady Lakeside Pavilion  

Please remember to get your bat ears and bat wings!

 

3 pm - Trail Hike

 

4 pm -Feeding Time

 

4:30 pm - River Canoe Trip - Preregistration required

Important Field Trip Information!!

Target is planning two field trips, one for the 2nd/3rd graders and one for the 4th/5th graders to culminate our units.

The 2nd/3rd fieldtrip will be on Thursday, December 1, 2011 to culminate our unit on Bats!  This is a fantastic trip to Chattanooga, TN, that we have taken in the past. Students are able to explore one of the habitats where bats are found.  The trip is all-inclusive.  The price includes a luxury coach bus, a guided tour through Chattanooga’s Raccoon Mountain Caverns, lunch at Cici’s Pizza, and admittance to the Children's Creative Discovery Museum.

The 4th/5th grade fieldtrip will be on Friday, December 2, 2011. The students will travel on a coach bus to Medieval Times Theater to experience life as it was during the Middle Ages. Here is a brief description from the theater and a link:

History is an experience within the walls of our 11th century-style castle. During the Medieval Times Educational Matinees, your students will step back into the Middle Ages as they witness medieval games of skill, spectacular horsemanship and even an authentic jousting tournament. As the Knights battle, our serfs and wenches serve a King's feast to be eaten Medieval-style: sans silverware!

Medieval Times Theater

We would like to get your feedback on this trip to decide if we are able to go.  Please let us know if you will pay the cost for your child to attend this trip.  Also, let us know if you would like to attend the trip with your child. We need many chaperones, and we'd love to have you come!

Click on the links below to read more. A hard copy will be available at school next week during your child's Target class. However, if you are able to print from home, please complete the form and return it on your child's Target day next week. Thank you!

Sincerely,

Sarah Covington and Stephanie Clatterbaugh

 

Download Raccoon Caverns  (2nd and 3rd Grade Target)

 Download Medieval Times Information Letter (4th/5th Grade Target)

 

 

Week of September 26-30

Second Grade Target Students,

I missed seeing you this week! I know you had a fabulous day with Mrs. Clatterbaugh and Mrs. Barnard. Did you enjoy your Station Rotations? I know you remembered all the ways that bats and birds are different in our story Stellaluna. What happened to Shade in the story of Silver Wing? Next week, we will explore echolocation and how Micro Bats use echolocation to survive. You will become either an insect or a bat during our Echolocation Simulation. Get ready!

Please remember, GBR projects are due soon! Please be ready to share your project with the class on Thursday, October 13. I know the class will enjoy learning from your presentation.

HOMEWORK: Work on GBR projects and complete your Venn Diagram.

WEEKLY QUESTION: Would you rather be a Micro bat or a Mega bat? Explain why.

Want to read more about Mega and Micro bats? Check out this comic!

Download ChiropteranComics_1 

 

Week of September 26-30

Third Grade Target,

You deserve a POWER WHOSH for a fantastic job this week! We learned more about classifcation and how scientists classify bats into two groups: Megachiropetera and Microchiropetera. You really looked closely at the unique facial characteristics of bats and if they rely on their large eyes or large ears for locating their prey.

Next week, we will learn more about Echolocation and how Micro bats use echolocation to survive. You'll get a chance to be a bat or an inset next week in our simulation. Get ready!

HOMEWORK: Worksheet: How a Bat Compares to Me

REMINDER: GBR projects are due October 10th!

WEEKLY QUESTION: If you could be a mega bat or a micro bat, which one would you be and why?

Click if you want to read a comic about Mega Bat and Micro Bat!

Download ChiropteranComics_1

Week of September 26-30

Greetings, Target Manor!

You showed great determination this week with your character research and tasks on the Mind Your Manor Webquest. I am proud of all the work you are doing in the media center. I hope you are learning a lot and enjoying the process of discovering what life was like back in the Middle Ages. We will finish our tasks next week, and you will have time to work with your group to create your products (shields, banners, manor maps, and scrolls).

Please remember that all GBR (Going Beyond Requirements) projects are due the week of October 10. I look forward to learning from you and listening to your presentation.

HOMEWORK: GBR projects. Also, if you are behind with any of your character research, you may want to revisit the webquest. Finish taking notes or writing your journal reflection for your character. Here is the link to the webquest:

What's the Manor Webquest 

WEEKlY QUESTION: Write at least 2 questions (and answers) relating to your character research. What do you think everyone should know about your character (serf, merchant, monk, nun, knight, lord, lady, etc.)? When you write the question, think about writing it on a higher level of Bloom's taxonomy (Synthesis, Evaluation, Analysis). Review Bloom's taxonomy here:

Applying Bloom's Taxonomy

 

 

 

Opportunity for 4th and 5th Graders- October 15

Check out the following program offered to 4th and 5th graders at Georgia Tech!

Georgia Tech College of Computing Elementary Student Workshop

 

4 1/2 week Update

Target Students and Parents,

It is hard to believe we are half-way through our first nine weeks of school! The students are really enjoying their units of study, and we are busy researching each week. Please remember that each child is required to complete a GBR (Going Beyond Requirements) project for each nine-week grading period. Their GBR projects are due the week of October 10th. Students should be prepared to stand up and share with the class their project.

NEEDED! If anyone has "extra" snacks or would like to send in a box of crackers or Goldfish, please send it in with your child on Target day. We have a very late lunch (12:35 p.m.), and students often forget a snack. Thank you to the Hestad Family for donating graham crackers.

Please let me know if you have any questions. Thank you for your ongoing support!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Sarah Covington and Mrs. Stephanie Clatterbaugh

Week of September 19-23

Second Grade Chiroptologists,

This week we explored how scientists classify bats and how bats are sorted into two groups, mega bats and micro bats. We also read the story, Stellaluna, and we learned how bats are very different from birds!

Station rotations are center activities that allow you to move around the room and explore a unit activity with a small group. All of you did very well working independently. I think you enjoyed classifying bat pictures with Mrs. Clatterbaugh and comparing your arm span to the wing span of a gray bat. Did you finish your challenge puzzle and anagram? 

****Please remember that your GBR projects are due on Thursday, October 13. You may bring them to school before this day if you finish early.

HOMEWORK: Read over the fact sheet about Mega and Micro bats. Then, write (in complete sentences) facts about Mega bats and then facts about Micro bats on the lines provided.

WEEKLY QUESTION: Write a letter to Mrs. Covington. Tell her what you are planning on doing for your GBR project. You may want to add a picture of what you are creating.

Just for fun...take an online bat quiz!

 Bat QUIZ

Week of September 19-23

Fourth and Fifth Grade Serfs, Merchants, Monks, Nuns, Knights, Lords and Ladies,

This week we began our webquest in the media center using laptops. Each of you had the opportunity to research in a group and learn more about your new character. If you'd like to look ahead, go back to the previous blog update and click on the webquest link. Next week, you will finish taking notes and begin creating your projects.

HOMEWORK: Royal Tease worsheet and work on GBR projects!

WEEKLY QUESTION: Write a letter to Mrs. Covington and tell her about your GBR project. Include details about how you will create it and if you are working with a partner. Please come talk to me if you are still unsure what to do for your project.

Projects are due the week of October 10th!

Sincerely,

Queen Covington

Week of September 19-23

Third Grade Chiroptologists,

This week we explored the unique characteristics of bats and how they enable bats to survive and adapt in their environment. Did you enjoy seeing the owl and red-tailed hawk talons? How does a bat's wing compare to an umbrella? We looked at many every day objects and compared them to parts of a bat.

Station rotations are center activities that allow you to move around the room and explore a unit activity with a small group. All of you did very well working independently, and I think you enjoyed our new challenge shape logic puzzle.

****Please remember that our GBR projects are due the week of October 10.

 Do not wait until the last minute to start your project. We've talked in class, and you should have a good idea of what you are doing. Please come see me if you need help.

HOMEWORK: Bat Anatomy worksheet and work on your GBR project!

WEEKLY QUESTION: Write a letter to Mrs. Covington. Tell her what you are planning on doing for your GBR project. You may want to add a picture of what you are creating.

Just for fun...take an online bat quiz!

BAT QUIZ!!!