Author: CASANDRA FLORES

As part of their math curriculum, Shannon Johnson’s third grade class at Allapattah Flats K-8 school recently started learning strategies for multiplying single digit numbers.  The students have learned how to use equal groups, arrays, and number lines in order to solve a multiplication problem.  Students created number lines on their desks and used them to show their thinking. Pictured here are Aaliyah Sheffey, Shawn Charite, Isabella De La Rosa, and Dontavious Brown.

Mr. Kline’s technology class researched and tested aerodynamics.  First, the students did research of wing design, and which type of wing would lead to the best result (most distance).  Then, they shared thier research via powerpoint with the rest of the class.  Finally, they tested their research. Pictured are: Cecilia Hernandez, Ditavious Burr, Logan Bledoe, Randall Peterson

The Kindergarten students in Mr. Zakrajsek’s class are shown working hard. They are using a Dr. Spencer Kagan strategy called Rally-Robin to orally communicate the rules and expectations to their friends. The students have also used this strategy to meet their new friends and describe themselves to one another. Throughout the year they will use this strategy to  communicate what they have learned throughout each lesson. The students are very excited to be able to discuss what they know with their friends. The students will also learn more valuable Kagan strategies to help facilitate their learning and help their oral … Read More

Allapattah Flats hosted its first annual Goodies with Grandparents day on Tuesday, September 9th. The turnout was spectacular and the students were thrilled to spend some quality time with their grandparents.  Grandparents and students were walked through a comparison activity, they listened to a student do a read aloud and then created a little crafty gift for the grandparents to take home as a keepsake. Pictured:  Trinity Scott and her Grandmother, Madge Gibson.

First Graders at Allapattah Flats K-8 took their first steps in earning their green thumb!  First graders are learning how to create a garden.  Our first step was to prepare the garden by adding a fresh layer of soil.  Elijah Adorno and Veneah Mussenden used their sense of touch while spreading out the soil.  The students will plant vegetable seeds next. We can’t wait!

Students in Christine King’s and Felicia Cobb’s fifth grade classes at Allapattah Flats K8 have been working hard during their after school tutoring program. They have been working with the Art in History curriculum where they interact with text that explains the historical significance of an important artifact in history. The students shown in the photo were assigned the Terra Cotta Warriors of the Qin Dynasty (pronounced “chin”). They read about the history of the Qin Dynasty and the significance of the warriors. After about two weeks of research, they designed their own unique Terra Cotta Warriors shown above. Pictured, from left … Read More

Fourth grade students at Allapattah Flats K-8 School have spent the school year learning about Florida’s history as part of their Social Studies curriculum. As a culminating activity, the fourth graders recently took a field trip to St. Augustine. The students were able to visit the Old Jail, Florida Heritage museum, Fort Castillo de San Marcos, Historic St. George Street, and ride on a narrated trolley tour. The students were able to see the pages of their textbooks come alive and learned many interesting facts about our state’s history from the many tour guides and landmarks. This was a memorable … Read More

Third grade students at Allapattah Flats K8 School are excited about physical attributes! During a review activity students had to reach their hand into a box and describe the object inside using only adjectives. Items included a hair barrette, kaleidoscope and doll shoe. It was determined that all three objects could be identified with 80% accuracy. However, when describing the item to another student, the other student could identify the object with only 15% accuracy. Pictured are Tai’Juan Martin, left, and Marie Bell-Tranquille.

Community members came out to Allapattah Flats K8 School recently to share their love of reading with kindergarten through fourth grade students who were fortunate to see members of local law enforcement, school district officials, and even some familiar retirees at this event. Thanks go to each and every one of the readers for taking time out of their busy schedules to read to the students. Pictured is Tina Ruybalid with Randi Pierson’s third grade class.

Second grade students at Allapattah Flats K8 School recently had the opportunity to visit the Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center in Stuart. Students enjoyed learning about the many unique coastal treasures that are showcased at the center. Students were able to touch a variety of sea animals including stingrays, horseshoe crabs, sea stars, and sea urchins and saw lagoon fish, sea turtles, and even a nurse shark! They are looking forward to hopefully returning back to the center with their families during the summer. Pictured are students from Haley Lenarcic’s class enjoying getting their hands wet and slimy while touching the stingrays.

“Bugz” are taking over Danya Etter’s music class at Allapattah Flats K-8 School. Kindergarten through third grade students have been buzzing through this musical and are excited to perform for their parents and teachers on May 14, 2013. Some of the bugs include Lady Bugs who are in charge of proper etiquette, Army Ants who will handle picnic security, Fireflies will light up the stage, and butterflies that are to make everything surrounded by them beautiful. The students and teachers alike are eager for their upcoming debut. Bugz pictured, from left, are Jared Moorer, Shanna Graham, and Haylie Barbour as they rehearse their parts.

First grade students in Ann Hartman’s class at Allapattah Flats K8 are excited to explore their garden in the warm sun. Students are checking the progress of their peppers, cucumbers, carrots, peas, and many other plants. Each child has a “plot” to grow their plant of choice, beginning with just a seed that has resulted in beautiful plants! The students are responsible for watering and weeding the plants, too.  The garden is a huge hit at Allapattah Flats K8! Pictured, from top left, are Jacob Garcia, Marc Cohen, Henos Yonas, Caylie Harris, Jordan Fernandez, Claudia Jolivert, Chinhayi Evans, Kaleb Whitehouse, Maximo Mendoza, and … Read More

As part of their Science curriculum, third grade students at Allapattah Flats are beginning to study the sun and other stars in our solar system. The students are learning how to compare and contrast the brightness, sizes, shapes and colors of various stars. This week students attended a field trip to the Indian River State College Planetarium.  The students enjoyed watching the night sky light up in front of their eyes and discussing burning questions they had with Planetarium Director Jon Bell.  Pictured, from left, are Trinity Scott, Madison Garcia, Isabella Westling, Dylan Maloy and Zachary Estep.

Students in Susan Funari’s second grade class at Allapattah Flats K-8 School have been busy learning how to tell time on an analog and digital clock. They have learned that there are 60 seconds in a minute and 60 minutes in an hour.  They’ve even made their own clocks to practice telling time to the hour and half-hour. Pictured is Mrs. Funari’s class proudly showing off thier home made clocks.

Students in Michelle Mullins’ sixth-grade Language Arts class at Allapattah Flats K8 are learning how to utilize the writing process to write creatively, informatively and persuasively. As part of learning to write persuasively, students participated in a debate project in which they were grouped and asked to analyze a specific scenario and record the “pros” and “cons” of each. Some examples included consideration of a four-day school week or the positive and negative aspects of a school-enforced dress code. Students then split into sub groups and prepared a formal debate in which they had to argue in favor for, or against, … Read More

As February comes to a close and March rolls in, kindergartners at Allapattah Flats K8 reflect back on their favorite events from the month. One of their most tresured was the 100 Day Celebration that kicked off the month of February, celebrating their 100 days of school since August. The students had a great time participating in an outside celebration that included 10 fun stations that the students moved to in 10-minute increments. There was hopscotch 100, 10 minutes of hula-hoops, sack racing, counting by 10s jump rope, and many more fun activities. Everyone had lots of fun and even … Read More

First grade students at Allapattah Flats K8 recently enjoyed had a up-close look at Florida wildlife.  Cheryl Wise of Busch Wildlife brought an opossum, turtle, corn snake, and an owl to the school. First graders learned facts about Florida wildlife and their habitats. Pictured are Tyler Garren,right, and Henos Yonas from Ann Hartman’s first grade class. They were brave first graders to touch “Sweet Potato” the corn snake. What a great visit!

Students in Dannielle Cason’s eighth grade reading class at Allapattah Flats K8 School took the opportunity to view text from different character perspectives.  Using the short story “The Cat Who Thought She Was a Dog and the Dog Who Thought He Was a Cat” by Isaac Beshevis Singer, the students first identified plot structure and then chose six events from the story to retell from on of the characters’ perspective. The students rewrote the event as if they were the particular character from the story. Finally, they constructed a storyboard of events to visually illustrate how the character “saw” each event. Pictured is … Read More

As part of the GOMATH program at Allapattah Flats K8, fourth graders have been learning how to calculate the area of two-dimensional shapes. They started out estimating the area of given shapes, then used various strategies like counting, multiplying, and using mathematical formulas to find the area of complex shapes. Students especially loved solving problems that relate to real world situations. To engage the students, they were given an activity that involved drawing their own uniquely, designed robot on grid paper and finding the area. It was a chance for the fourth graders to show both their creativity and understanding of math skills. … Read More

Students at Allapattah Flats were recently visited by two members of a BMX group as part of a PBS reward. All kindergarten through eighth grade studnets could use their Gator bucs to attend the show and watch the extreme stunts performed by the BMX bikers. Ten lucky students who were top sellers in a school fundraiser recieved VIP tickets to the show where they got to sit in the front row and have a meet and greet with the riders after the show. Students watched in awe as the riders did jumps, flips, and even jumped over the head of their administrator. Pictured … Read More