Fifth Grade:
Fifth graders were very busy this week. The day began with a challenging logic puzzle called "American Idol Viewing”. Then, it was off to ocean habitats after that as the students learned about the intertidal, open ocean, and abyss habitats. It was quite amazing to learn that the ocean depths go over 6 miles down. Students researched animal life in each of the 3 habitats. They worked to create a chart showing the animals and wrote about some of the adaptations the animals have for living in their environment. The students were able to find some unusual animals with interesting adaptations. After completing their research, the students used their new found knowledge to create an ocean aquarium in our hallway. Some students filled the abyss with many unusual creatures such as anglerfish, tube worms, viperfish, deep sea squid, and vent crab. Other students took on the open oceans. We have a variety of sharks, including a whale shark and tiger shark. There were also many species of fish. Others added sea turtles, rays, jellyfish and even a Christmas tree worm. Students, also, filled the intertidal habitat with horseshoe crabs, star fish, sea anemone, fiddler crab, and a knob whelk. It is a magnificent site. You should plan to visit it with your student and let them tell you about the different levels.
Fourth grade did not meet this week because of the President’s Day holiday.
Homework: Robo Shark
Second and Third Grade
Our first challenge today was a convergent thinking activity call “The Hiking Class.” Students used clues to figure out which hikers carried which book bag and what they observed on their hike. Students used several strategies to solve this puzzle. Some used grids, some used manipulatives and some drew pictures, and most of them ended up with the right answer.
We are continuing work on our bug books. Students researched two more bugs today, and glued their homework into their folder. We are well on our way to being bug experts!
Our Hands on Equations lesson for this week focused on solving the given equations in a simplified form. Students learned that if they pull equal amounts off of each side of the balance then the problem remains equal and they can simplify the problem they are working on. Second grade worked on a primary algebra lesson focused on balance. Students began by acting out balance and then actually tried to balance different classroom items on pan balances.
Finally, we read the story “Goob and the Bug Collecting Kit.” This story was a about boy who works hard for some money, so he could buy a bug collecting kit. He and his friend set up a lemonade stand and they split the money. Goob used his half of the proceeds responsibly, while his friend does not. We discussed with our students who made the better choice. Of course, Goob did because he set a goal and followed through with his plan. After reading this story our students set a goal for the next week. We put our goals on bugs and posted them in the classroom. We can’t wait to see who reaches their short term goal by next week!
Homework: Complete your third graphic organizer for your bug book. Use the research you completed in class and use your best effort (neat handwriting, complete sentences, and detailed drawings).
***Third grade received a revised permission slip. Please sign and return by next class period.
First Grade:
We began the day with more Convergent Thinking. We carefully looked at pictures of four kids playing and answered questions such as, Which child could get hurt from playing? Which child is about to use their imagination? Which child do you think could get messy? These answers led to an understanding of deductive reasoning. We read aloud a story from the PETS program, called “Favorite Games.” The story provided a model for deductive reasoning, the critical thinking skill of analysis and finding one correct answer, using a logic grid by demonstrating students thinking aloud while going through the process of solving the logic puzzle. Together we worked on one logic grid, and students independently solved another.
Next, we moved on to Primary Algebra. We showed the students several different containers and had them generate a short list of items that might be in each. They concluded that each container could hold a VARIETY of different things, and that a particular item could be in a VARIETY of containers. With our help, students used the thesaurus to find synonyms for variable, variety, vary, and various. They looked at the words to see what they had in common and wrote the definition of a variable as a symbol that stands for any number. We talked about some variables being used in math class such as 2 + 1 = "triangle" where the "triangle" stands for a number.
We finished up the day by exploring the first two Multiple Intelligences – Logical/Mathematical and Verbal/Linguistic. Students spent time at two different centers. One activity, Coin Play, had students place coins in a pyramid design and then by moving one coin at a time, in only three moves, end up with an inverted pyramid. The second activity, Word Wizard, showed a sentence followed by a series of letters representing the first letter of the word that finished the sentence. Students were to write out the sentence when they figured out the meaning. An example was: When I want to watch TV and my brother wants to watch something else, w a f. Can you solve it? The answer is “We always fight.” After students completed both centers, we came back together as a group to tell which of the two activities they preferred and why. Some students were strong in both, others in one or the other, and a few students did not enjoy either activity.
Please note that beginning next Friday we will be meeting for a full day of Target. Students will be having lunch with us from 10:30-11:00. They will return to their regular classrooms by 1:10 in time for Specials and the end of the day dismissal.
Homework: Party Favors & Party Clean-up Logic Grids
