Fourth and Fifth Grade
The student used their critical thinking this week with a very challenging logic puzzle called Origami Folding Contest. Again, several criteria had to be used to determine the outcome. Students had to think about time and who finished earlier or later than someone else. This puzzle even challenged the teachers!
The research for the Case of the Missing Anurans finished up and the groups began to discuss their findings and the way in which the presentations will be given. It is exciting to see how well the students work together. The next two class meetings will give the students time to complete each presentation. Groups talked about having Power Point presentations, scientific news interviews, and even puppet shows to deliver the information on the suspects to us.
Our study of a frog's anatomy continued. This week we looked at the features of the circulatory and urogenital systems. Students again were given diagrams with the parts labeled and used web sites to research the function of each part. We are beginning to see that the inside of a frog is not too different than the inside of a human. We all have chambered hearts, veins, arteries, kidneys, and bladders. By the time we dissect our frogs, the students will be able to locate these features as they open up the specimen.
Please note that your students brought home a field trip permission letter and donation envelope. Make sure if you have not seen it that you ask your child for the information. We are very excited about the planned trip to the frog lab at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens.
Homework: Complete the comparison chart of the anatomy of a frog and human.
Second and Third Grade
There was excitement in the air as the students arrived ready to present all the information they had learned about their occupations. But before the students presented, they completed a sheet called “Coins, Coins, Coins.” This activity called for the students to use their creative and critical thinking skills.
We were thrilled to welcome so many professionals into our classes. It was very educational to hear about all of the different occupations. The students' presentations were well done. Many had a variety of creative props to help with the presentation of the material. When asked about their careers, creative and thoughtful responses were made, adding to the information presented. Most students were introduced to occupations that might be of interest to them sometime in the future. We were pleased with the results of many hours of work.
Third grade continue to improve their math skills through the use of Hands-on Equations. This week they learned how to set up the equation when there is a number outside the parenthesis. That number tells them to set up what is in the parenthesis that number of times. For example, if the problem was 2(x + 3) = x + 8, the students learned to set up x + 3 two times.
We ended our day by drawing the place of business where each student worked, based on their occupations. These drawings will be added to our town map the next time we meet.
Homework: None. Enjoy your Spring Break.
First Grade
First graders were asked to create and design a shoe for a duck. There were so many creative shoes, some made from rubber, with hooks to snare fish, and booster rockets to help them speed across the pond.
Next, students learned a new way to solve logic problems called the “Scratch-off Method.” We completed one together, and most students were able to solve another puzzle independently.
We watched a video called “Be an Inventor.” Students then used their divergent thinking when they chose a force-fitting noun and verb to create an invention complete with force-fitting spare parts. Imagine a watermelon squeezer or a pickle grower, and you get the idea.
Students packed their bags (figuratively) and headed to the continent of Africa and the country of Egypt. We looked at worldatlas.com and learned that Egypt has many deserts, the Nile River flows through it, and some of the great pyramids were built there for the Pharoahs. We read and discussed The Egyptian Cinderella and added this story to the "Elements of a Fairy Tale".
Finally, we learned about the history of shoes, as students created a timeline of shoe images from early civilizations to the present. Did you know that the Egyptian pharaoh’s shoe had a long, peaked toe that denoted royalty? The last image was a shoe from the future that students envisioned.
Homework: None. Enjoy your Spring Break.
To all...
Have a wonderful Spring Break. Be safe and enjoy the time with your family.
Until next time...
Karen, Lynn, and David
