During our Economics unit, the 3rd grade students had the opportunity to become economists and entrepreneurs. All students tapped into their creativity in creating a paper good to market and sell in their classrooms. Student created paper dolls, dragons, airplanes, cartoons, and wrote books of poetry, and informational books on how to take care of animals. Through this S.T.E.A.M. based project, students developed a deeper understanding of important concepts: opportunity cost, the difference between needs and wants, scarcity, supply, demand, consumer, producer, loans, import and export, and much more. Through the experience of being entrepreneurs, the students also wrote persuasive commercials scripts, kept a balance sheet to track inventory levels, costs and profits, managed money wisely, and created an artistic and attractive store front.
The Fourth Graders have been learning about the California Mission system in history. They are researching one mission and writing reports and creating a model to present in class. We had the opportunity to visit Mission San Luis Rey de Francia in Oceanside to learn about the “King of the Missions.” Students had an incredible time walking through the church and inquiring about the lives of missionaries, natives, and the soldiers who occupied this mission.
-Cathleen Anderson & Sylvia Aka-
The fourth grade students were treated to a Chinese New Year presentation by two of our students’ parents. They shared with the students the history of China, some cultural aspects, the traditions of the Chinese New Year, and some interesting facts. The students were able to sample some traditional snacks, received lucky red packets, and practiced writing their Chinese Zodiac animal in calligraphy. The students learned so much about another culture and gained a stronger appreciation for the diversity within their own classroom.
-Cathleen Anderson & Sylvia Aka-
The third grade students are learning about Economics in Social Studies this period. They are learning about goods and services, supply and demand, producers and consumers, income, the difference between needs and wants, opportunity cost, and how money/currency makes it easier to trade, borrow, save, invest, and compare the value of goods and services. By the end of this unit, students will understand most people have a limited amount of money that they can use to buy the things they want and need; that because money is limited, people need to make good choices about how to wisely save and spend it. Through a fun and engaging S.T.E.A.M. project, students will also have the opportunity to be entrepreneurs by producing their own goods or services. They will practice being in the roles of consumers, producers, and entrepreneurs. This hands-on project provides students the opportunity to practice their mathematical skills in calculating and accounting for inventory levels, costs, profits, income, and how to manage money and time wisely and efficiently.
-Alice Kong-
2nd grade visited the Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College and learned about how to save water to help planet Earth. Ms. Smarty Plants was really funny and knowledgeable about plants, California and how much fresh water humans use. We planted baby succulents and were given water saving plant seeds to bring home grow in our gardens. Even though it rained that day we still had a lot of fun on this adventure.
– Emily Loomis-
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The fourth graders have been working on changes to Earth’s surface in science. Mrs. Jacoway helped organize a multi-stationed experiment so that the students could work with a variety of types of erosion. They worked collaboratively in groups reading instructions, performing the experiment, and analyzing the results to answer questions.
Cathleen Anderson
The fourth grade students brought some of their unused books or the ones that have been read and reread many times to exchange with others in their class. The books were in French or English. They were exchanged to encourage and motivate other students to read as well as create a sense of community through sharing and giving to others.
Cathleen Anderson
On Thursday, November 15th, the 5th grade students demonstrated their science projects in the auditorium. After reading about William Kamkwamba, a Malawian boy who had designed a windmill out of discarded items in order to provide water and electricity to his home, the students set out to design their own useful machines with discarded materials. Student projects included pet food dispensers, weight-reducing levers, water dispensers for plants, and many more. On Thursday, they presented their finished projects to parents and to fourth grade students.
Emmanuel Parello
Project based learning allows students to work with a purpose and to use their skills in real life situations. After the 5th graders measured the area of artificial grass needed, the order was made. The facility team is working hard to install everything. The result already looks clean and beautiful.
4th graders have been working with Jacob Johnston during art class. After a step by step process, the result has been presented in front of the school. These additional touch of color welcomes everybody to SDFAS.
