RADville part 1

One of the students' favorite projects this year was the creation of our very own model town, RADville. We started by observing the goings-on about our own neighborhood. What businesses were there? What services? We thought about what is neccessary to have in a town, and what were things that made life there fun and enjoyable for its citizens?

Each student then chose a business or service to create for RADville.
We came up with
a hospital
a veterinary clinic
a hotel
a police station/jail
a clothing store
a movie theater
a cafe
and
a graveyard!

The students then went on mini-field trips to study the establishments they were going to create in miniature. The students interviewed people who worked there and found out information they needed about how these places were run.

Clipboards in hand, ready to observe!

 

Two RADsters went to the local police station and got to interview a real policeman!

Back at school, students filled in a checklist to record the data they had gathered, and they then started planning their own businesses and services.  

After our research phase, it was time to begin construction!  Each student got his or her own wooden box. We started by sanding and painting them...

Then we used paper, cardboard and recycled art materials to construct the insides of the structures.

Stay tuned for pictures of the finished town!

A Visit to the Tom Otterness Studio

The RADsters had the opportunity to travel to the Tom Otterness Studio.  First we walked around and did some sketching of different pieces.  Many of us recognized his work from all around the city!  Then he gave us a private tour and showed us all the different steps he uses to make his art.  We met his entire team! 

 

"All About" Books

We recently completed a unit on "all about" books, where each kid wrote a non-fiction book about a topic of their choosing. To celebrate, we held a little publishing party/brunch and invited all the parents. Some of the topics the RADsters chose were:

All About How to Draw Vampires

All About Egypt

All About Origami

All About Harry Potter

All About Minecraft

All About How To Be Happy

All About Space

All About Albert Einstein

All About Multiplication

Snow Frolic

The RADsters have been enjoying the abundant snow this winter. Every day the kids play outdoors in a local playground, regardless of weather. Here are some shots from the last month...