Fourth and Fifth Grade
It was a busy and productive day. We began with a challenging logic puzzle called "The Thanksgiving Pageant". This allowed to students to strengthen their convergent thinking skills and coherently communicate their reasoning orally as they shared their thinking with the class.
Companies are making great progress on the bridges. Everyone is learning the value of working together. Many bridges have the deck up and are in the process of putting the sides together. We are excited to see the completed structures (and then, of course, the breaking of that structure).
Time was spent reading articles about the controversy surrounding the building of a bridge at Morgan Falls Park. While reading, students fill out a graphic organizer that listed various opinions about the building of the bridge and the reasons people used to support their opposing opinions.
Mrs. Shaw’s and Mrs. Hutto’s classes worked on a writing assignment as a follow up to the research about “Galloping Gertie” last week.
Homework: Mrs. Shaw’s and Mrs. Hutto’s classes- Finish RAFT writing. Mr. Brown’s class- Journal Entry #3.
Second and Third Grade
We began our day by completing a Thanksgiving logic puzzle. Students had to match up first names with last names and match each person with their favorite food using several clues.
Students shared their homework “Focus on Water.” Each student discussed their results and shared their illustration. Students were able to elaborate on their watershed by describing the flow of water and some possible pollutants it might pick up.
Next, students took a pre-test on the parts of an insect. We have a lot of background knowledge on these little critters. Then, we learned a little more using an interactive website called “Let’s Talk about Bugs.” http://urbanext.illinois.edu/insects/01.html Students learned all about the parts of an insect and what each part is used for.
The next activity put students in groups of three and each person was assigned to create a specific part of the insect. Then students merged their parts to create a new bug. Students were allowed to name and describe the characteristics of their new critter.
Insects use their antennae for tasting, smelling, touching and hearing. We asked what a day would be like if your arms were antennae. Students were able to come up with several of examples of how everyday activities would be different with antennae arms.
Students were given another attempt at Hot Chocolate River. Some classes were able to make it all the way across while other classes are still trying to make it.
Homework: Enjoy your much deserved Thanksgiving Break!!
