Nine Mile Falls Elementary
          Eye On Education Library

Prediction: Growth!
 

What a difference a year can make! Second and third graders in Mrs. Marcie Norstadt’s classroom at Nine Mile Falls Elementary will find out first hand through their personal time capsules. To build the time capsules, a variety of activities were completed that asked the students to estimate, to predict, to reflect, and to set goals.

In partners, the students estimated Mrs. Norstadt’s height as well as their own and their partner’s. Then actual measurements were made and both sets of numbers were recorded on a worksheet. On the back of this sheet some predictions were made. After tracing the outline of their hand, the students were to predict if their hand would grow over the year and how many inches they thought that they could grow in height over the year. On student stated, “I think that if I grow about three inches, my hand will grow about one.”

A writing activity was completed to add to the time capsule. Giving their best effort, second graders were to print the alphabet, while third graders attempted cursive. “It was kinda hard, doing the cursive,” admitted a sutdent. Cursive is a new skill introduced in the third grade, so the third graders should see a huge improvement in June. Each student was also to write themselves a “secret message.”

To reflect on the year ahead, the students recorded some Hopes and Dreams. They thought about what they do well and what is a challenge for them. Also recorded was what they hoped to accomplish this year and what they wanted to improve, along with an Interest Inventory.

Each student designed a time capsule in which to place his/her items. Then, with a “kiss goodbye,” the capsules were placed into a box, not to be opened until June. “It was kinda funny, because people pretended to cry. I think that when we open it, we will be really surprised,” commented one girl. Before the capsules are opened, these activities will be repeated so that the students will have a comparison. They will be able to see how well they predicted and the improvements they have made in ten months.

With this introductory learning activity, Mrs. Norstadt has set the tone for the year: “We will have fun as we learn and grow academically.” Third graders who had Mrs. Norstadt as second graders last year are just as excited about this activity as are the new second graders. “It’s really good. It’s pretty awesome to do different things. I kinda like coming here,” explained a third grader.