Grade 5, Mr. Spaniol « South Ridge School

Star Maps

Seventh grade students studied our current star map (http://star maps.com) through Greek, by comparring the Greek, Ojibwe and Dakota star constellations. They also created their own star constellations based on their own stories written based on 7 teachings - Honesty, Love, Courage, Truth, Wisdom, Humility, and Respect. Following the teachings leads a person to well being and onto a good path in life. By recognizing and talking about the seasonal star constellations students gain confidence in telling their own stories and owning their own history. As a class students visited the UMD’s Alworth Planetarium for a Native Star show as well ...

Read Across America

South Ridge Elementary celebrates "Read Across America" today paying homage to the great Dr. Seuss!In the afternoon, we gathered kindergarten, first grade, and second grade in the little gymnasium. We had many Cat in the Hat look-a-likes volunteer to read to the students. The most convincing look-a-like, Mrs. Ojibway, surprised the kids this morning all decked out like the real Cat in the Hat. An interesting fact, Dr. Seuss's real name is Theodor Seuss Geisel, but most called him Ted. Once, a man asked Dr. Seuss to write a new book. The man gave him a list of words that ...

The Chinese Lantern Festival celebrated at South Ridge!

The kindergarten, second, third, and fourth grade classes made paper lanterns the past couple of days to hang up in the classroom. They made lanterns to celebrate the Chinese Lantern Festival. This year, the Lantern Festival fell on February 24th, which is the last day of the Chinese New Year season, which began on February 10th. Traditionally, the Lantern Festival is a day for lovers. Traditionally, this is when the woman would be presented and seen by single eligible men. Although this is no longer observed as it used to be, the Lantern Festival still brings a hint of romance. Lanterns ...

South Ridge Snow Week – February 25th thru March 1st

South Ridge Student Council took the "blah" out of the long winter with a midwinter Snow Week! Activities were planned for each day along with dress-up themes. Participate in support of our school and your class. Special thanks to the Student Council for their hard work. Images - (left to right) Blindfolded Musical Chairs on Wednesday, Bowling on Friday and Dodgeball on Wednesday. Slideshow image is from Thursday's Sled Race Monday, February 25 -Elementary "Pajama Day & Crazy Hair"/High School “Fake an Injury Day” (Dress-up theme) - “Minute to Win it”; “Quiz Bowl”. Tuesday, February 26 - Elementary "Camo Blaze Oragen Day"/High School “Hollywood Day” (Dress-up ...

South Ridge Science Fair

South Ridge K-12 Science Fair was Thursday, December 6th. Displays filled the Forum. Hypothosis were proposed on a wide variety on topics from solar vehicles to what melts sugar cubes faster. Students stood near their presentation boards and answered questions posed by Judges and fellow classmates. The 7th - 12th winners of this local Fair are invited to exhibit at the FDLTCC Regional Fair and the UMD Regional Science Fair.

South Ridge 1st Graders Take Part in the Rivers2Lake Program

First graders at South Ridge Elementary School have been very busy critters. They have been researching Lake Superior and the streams and rivers that empty into it. Research has taken place both in the classroom and out in the field. South Ridge boasts a beautiful wetland and pond system which feeds into the Lake Superior Watershed. Students have used this great resource to collect samples for further study in the classroom. After investigating the macro-invertebrates close up the students then transformed or morphed as you will into the organisms they studied. Meet Ernie the Invertebrate! All lessons are developed with the ...

Wing Young Huie Art Residency

Photographer Wing Young Huie spent time with 3rd - 12th grade students during the last week in October. After introducing himself and his work they participated in a ”Chalk Talk” lesson – a way of using photography to better understand ourselves and others. Through his work he creates up-to-the-minute mirrors reflections of society. He is most known for his photography work of Frogtown (1995) and Lake Street (2000). His most recent work includes the University Avenue Project from 2010 where he honored the lives of everyday folks who lived up and down the University Ave corridor in the Twin Cities. His work ...

Grandparents Day

Grandparents Day has become a cherished day in ISD2142 schools! Children sing songs and read their favorite stories with family. It is a time to remember how important family to all of us, young and old. Reading is one of our most important life skills. It is stressed at South Ridge through all of the subjects and grade levels. If you have a child at home, read with them every day. Not only will they build a stronger bond with you, they will benefit academically, enhance their ability to speak and communicate clearly. They will learn to use and understand logic and reasoning skills more effectively as they grow ...

SR Participates in River Watch

The South Ridge 8th grade class recently completed sampling of the Artichoke river in Brookston, MN as part of the St. Louis River- River Watch Program. The students get an intense 2 hour training session provided by Courtney Kowalsak from the college. Additional classroom instruction on how to do the chemical and physical test follows. The health of this stream that feeds the St. Louis river is determined by analyzing the type of macroinvertebrates present in the stream. The chemical tests include dissolved oxygen, nitrates, orthophosphates, and pH. Further testing includes temperature, transparency, stream discharge calculations and an assessment of ...

Beyond Traditional Textbooks

At the March 12, 2012 school board meeting, the St. Louis County School District approved a three-year plan which will change the way teachers deliver instruction by going beyond the traditional textbooks. This dynamic method of teaching will promote Standards-Based Instruction at the secondary level using technology to access the most recent and dynamic learning materials. The push for creating a digital learning environment started this year with the integration of iPads and Netbook carts at each school. All teachers were trained in technology integration and best practices. Although, this year may have been a learning year, the benefits of utilizing ...

South Ridge School