Fake News Unit by Brian Housand

This unit is about using the Internet to effectively find information and becoming a critical evaluator of the information found. The kids said of today's activity, "my brain hurts." A good sign that they were challenged with rigorous content.  Here are the three activities we did.

Photography Innovation Project

A couple of students used their innovation time to study photography. They took various photos, edited them using online software and then created a PowerPoint presentation on their work.

Leadership Essays

The Fifth graders are studying leadership. Today we studied Ben Carson as an example of an empathetic listener. The students chose between three questions for an essay and they did a great job. Here are a few examples.

How can overcoming obstacles make you a better leader?


It can help you become a better leader because you can learn from those obstacles. You can improve the choices you make because of the obstacles you face. Sometimes you might not like facing obstacles but it’ll help you become a better leader. Overcoming obstacles makes you a stronger and better leader. A lot of famous leaders became who they are because they faced obstacles. That’s why it’s good to overcome obstacles.


Why is it important to be an empathetic listener when you are a leader?

It is important to be an empathetic listener when you are a leader because you must listen. If you are a leader you empathetically listen to the rules to follow them. To be a leader you do the right thing, if someone is bullying someone you need to empathetically listen and see if you need to tell a teacher. To be a leader is to come up with good ideas but if you’re in a group you have to listen to other people’s ideas and combine and talk about them. A leader is someone who is friendly if a friend wants to talk to you about something you have to listen. A leader is always listening to ideas. A leader is always empathetic.

Why is it important to be an empathetic listener when you are a leader?                                          It is important to be an empathetic listener when you are a leader for many reasons. One of which is that if you cannot listen and understand what someone else is saying, you cannot help as much as if you were empathetic, because a lack of ability to understand is a lack of an ability to care, which is a lack of an ability to help. Another reason is that you might not be doing something positive for the person. You have to know what the problem is and why they have the problem in order to solve it. The last reason you must be an empathetic person to be a leader is that without empathy, could you really think they are having a problem yourself? That is why I think you must be empathetic to be a good leader.

"It doesn't matter where we come from or what we look like. If we use are abilities, are willing to learn and to use what we know in helping others, we will always have a place in the world." ~Ben Carson

Yes, I do agree with Ben Carson’s words. It is saying that it doesn’t really matter what we look like or where we come from, it all matters on the inside, it matters on what we are able to do and what our abilities are. Also, that quote is really motivating. It pushes people forward and if someone is having the same problem Ben Carson had, they can just look at his quote and see that he had the same problem and it might motivate them. His quote also explains that everyone has a place in the world even if they don’t think that they do. He is a great leader for everyone in the world.

Five Traits of Giftedness

Third Graders were studying "What is Gifted." As part of the unit they made "poof" books about the five traits of giftedness, above average ability, task commitment, courage, caring and creativity. Here are three samples:

Princess Diana

As part of the Leadership unit, a couple of students wrote a play about Princess Diana. They got most of the class to act in their play and videoed it. They had a ton of fun.
Check it out.Princess Diana Video

Sexism Webpage

Students created a webpage about Sexism. Here is a picture of the Home page. We were not able to publish it.

A Fictional Story Based on Research About Child Labor

    The Nightmare Of Child Labor 

BY ALEXA 

One night when I closed my eyes I saw the worst thing in the world poor kids being abused to work.  I say to myself they are is so much pain I should help.  so I reach to help a little girl but she doesn’t seem to notice so I try speaking to her but it seems like she is ignoring me so I just leave her alone. I go with a boy who works next to her and I ask if I can help him he just looks at me with anger so I leave him alone. A little boy calls me but he seems scared a go and talk to him he says that we are not supposed to talk.  That is why they were ignore me. Where am I what is happening . we are where we always been . and like always being put to work. Why. Because we need the money even if we get paid half then the adults. Where are your parents my parents died because of poorness. When I woke up I thaught where did he go I keep thinking of that nightmare. (the next night) I laid in my bed wondering about that boy in my dreams was he alone have I seen him before was it a vision I just want to go back to help him to help THEM. I need to they need me I have to (the next day) last night I didn’t get any sleep because the worst thing happened I went again but I got a poor boy in trouble I made him talk when he started talking a big shadowy thing was standing behind us the lady didn’t seem to notice me I tried to stop her because she was going to whip him but it seemed like I wasn’t there I felt bad and then I tried to grab him to help then I woke up I felt so bad it was all my fault if I was not there it would not have happened I fell so sad. (the next night) I have to stay asleep I need to stay longer but I need to not bother anyone. (the next day) I found the person I first met I told him everything that was happing I told him to come with me but could not come so I promised that I would stay there with him the next time I go(THE NEXT NIGHT) ok I would stay here with you I step in I stay their later I said that I wanted to go home but he didn’t  let me until he let me go but it was too late I was stuck there I yelled help me but the only thing that came was a lady with the whip coming tords me…….. I tell myself she cannot see me so I act like she is not there but she starts sprinting tords me so I run she still chases I get scared I try to find somewhere to hide I can’t find anywhere to hide until I see a door it is dark.  I turn around to see if she was still chasing me and I see a big shadow so I run into the dark room. It is so dark but I have to stay the shadow passes me I take deep breathes  until someone is trying to open the door so I find things t hind under or around when the door opens there is no one there so I peek and I see the lady she is still looking for me ohh no she saw I have to hind there was nowhere to hide she got closer ,and closer ,and closer, until she sees me so I sprint to a little room I twist my ankle I can’t move that much she is getting closer I need help someone help me she gets close she lifts her whipe and she…………..TO BE CONTINUED