AIM had a very busy fall and winter! We have worked with Jefferson Elementary School to bring in organizations for several enrichment activities as an extension of their class learning!
Musser Public Library visited the 1st graders to teach them about the parts of a story and the difference between fiction and nonfiction. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach also taught them about making healthy snacks.
The 3rd grade students also had an eventful fall and winter! Muscatine County Conservation visited the students and had discussions about bats. A visit from Betty from Musser Public Library, taught the students about the role illustrators play in the writing of books. Betty read the book Kamishibai Man which is a story of storytellers in Japan. In December, Police officers visited and brought their K9 unit. The students had so much fun learning about the police K9 unit! 3rd and 5th graders had a visit from Stanley Center for Peace and Security with CulturALL Native American Storyteller Tim Perkins. 5th graders also read the book “The Barren Grounds”. These are all topics the students are learning about in class.
Kent Corporation conducted science experiments with Jefferson’s 6th grade students. They were shown an acid based balloon experiment and popping pearls to supplement their science unit on chemical reactions. The 6th grade GT class also went on a field trip to the Pearl Button Museum.
Lastly, the 4th grade students were visited by the Muscatine Community College nursing students and nursing and anatomy faculty. The nursing students led activities on injections, CPR, and body systems to go along with their unit on body systems.
Whew! I am tired just writing about all we have done! We are thankful to be working closely with the school district to bring these educational experiences to the students. Also, a big thank you goes out to all the companies and organizations that came to the classes, or let the classes visit them. We look forward to more opportunities in the future!
