Thursday, January 31, 2013

4th Grade - The word for the 4th graders was Obsolete which means out of date; no longer in use or in fashion. Their explorer was Martin Luther King Jr. who was a civil rights leader. They completed a Stories with Holes problem for the warm-up activity. The rest of the morning was spent writing essays for their ocean research projects.

Fifth grade class was canceled due to a meeting Mrs. Rains had to attend.

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

2nd Grade - Students were introduced to Max the Magician and Visual thinking this morning. They tried to fit the shapes of tangrams into other Crystal Pond Woods creatures.

4th Grade - The word for the 4th graders was Obsolete which means out of date; no longer in use or in fashion. Their explorer was Martin Luther King Jr. who was a civil rights leader. They completed a Stories with Holes problem for the warm-up activity. The rest of the afternoon was spent writing essays for their ocean research projects.

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

2nd Grade - Today's affective lesson focused on ways students can demonstrate kindness. Kindness is one of the characteristics of successful people. Students made wanted posters of themselves demonstrating kind acts.

4th Grade - The word for the 4th graders was Obsolete which means out of date; no longer in use or in fashion. Their explorer was Martin Luther King Jr. who was a civil rights leader. They completed a Stories with Holes problem for the warm-up activity. The rest of the morning was spent writing essays for their ocean research projects.

5th Grade - Their vocabulary word was Wail which means to cry out loudly. Robert Fulton, the inventor of the steam boat, was today's explorer. These students also completed the Stories with Holes problem for the warm-up activity. After a discussion about forming their own opinions on issues, students spent the afternoon completing the Exploravision project.

Monday, January 28, 2013

2nd Grade - The second grade vocabulary word for today was Impersonate which means to mimic or pretend to be someone else. Their explorer was Mary Elizabeth Bowser who was a northern spy during the civil war. They completed a Stories with Holes puzzle for their warm-up activity.

5th Grade - Their vocabulary word was Wail which means to cry out loudly. Robert Fulton, the inventor of the steam boat, was today's explorer. These students also completed the Stories with Holes problem for the warm-up activity. After a discussion about forming their own opinions on issues, students spent the afternoon completing the Exploravision project.

Friday, January 25, 2013

3rd Grade - Today's vocabulary word was Gregarious which means sociable.The explorer was Elvis Presley. Mr. Presley had a high school music teacher tell him he couldn't sing. Students completed a Loosen Up drawing for their warm up activity. In Crystal Pond Woods, students continued Divergent Thinking by learning to web topics of interest as a method of brainstorming and organizing thoughts.The Discovery lesson had students focused on the fact that discoveries may impact the behavior of people and influence history. Students began discovering the impact the Gold Rush had on people and history. In the Relationship lesson, students had the opportunity to play the games they invented last week. At this point they realized the relationship rules have to games and compared that to the relationship laws have to our government.

Thursday, January 24, 2013

4th Grade - Their vocabulary word was Petulant which means ill humor, irritable, cranky. The explorer was Benjamin Franklin who only had two years of formal schooling but was instrumental in developing and signing four important documents in our country's history. They completed the Loosen Up drawing for their warm-up activity. The affective lesson had students understanding that being gifted means different things to different people. The rest of the class time was spent completing their ocean research projects.

5th Grade - Their vocabulary word was Agility which means to move quickly and easily; nimbleness of body or mind. Benjamin Franklin was their explorer. Mr. Franklin only had two years of formal school, but went on to teach himself by reading everything he could get his hands on. These students also completed the "Loosen Up" drawing for the warm-up activity. The affective lesson focused on getting students to define their beliefs now while it is easy to defend them. The afternoon was spent working toward the conclusion of the Exploravision project.

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

2nd Grade - In Crystal pond Woods, students continued developing their Divergent Thinking skills by taking a noun and a verb, putting together and creating a new invention.

4th Grade - Their vocabulary word was Petulant which means ill humor, irritable, cranky. The explorer was Benjamin Franklin who only had two years of formal schooling but was instrumental in developing and signing four important documents in our country's history. They completed the Loosen Up drawing for their warm-up activity. The affective lesson had students understanding that being gifted means different things to different people. The rest of the class time was spent completing their ocean research projects.

Tuesday, January 23, 2013

2nd Grade - Today's vocabulary word was Indignation which means anger, especially over something that's unfair. The explorer today was Andrew Jackson. He earned the nickname "Old Hickory" because it was hard to destroy an old hickory tree. Our warm up activity today was a creativity/following directions drawing of finger people called "Loosen Up".

4th Grade - Their vocabulary word was Petulant which means ill humor, irritable, cranky. The explorer was Benjamin Franklin who only had two years of formal schooling but was instrumental in developing and signing four important documents in our country's history. They completed the Loosen Up drawing for their warm-up activity. The affective lesson had students understanding that being gifted means different things to different people. The rest of the class time was spent completing their ocean research projects.

5th Grade - Their vocabulary word was Agility which means to move quickly and easily; nimbleness of body or mind. Benjamin Franklin was their explorer. Mr. Franklin only had two years of formal school, but went on to teach himself by reading everything he could get his hands on. These students also completed the "Loosen Up" drawing for the warm-up activity. The affective lesson focused on getting students to define their beliefs now while it is easy to defend them. The afternoon was spent working toward the conclusion of the Exploravision project.

Friday, January 18, 2013

3rd Grade - Today's vocabulary word was Modicum which means a moderate amount. Their explorer was Michael Jordan who didn't make his high school basketball team, but through hard work and determination became a famous basketball player. They completed Plexers or visual puzzles for their warm up activity. In Crystal Pond Woods, students were given three sheets of construction paper and a strip masking tape and had to build a structure that could hold a set of encyclopedias.Their Discovery lesson had students exploring crayons. The Relationship lesson was focused on rules and laws. Students were to create their own games. Next week we will discuss how fair rules and laws strengthen the relationship between the government and the people.

Enjoy the extra long weekend!

Thursday, January 17, 2013

 4th Grade - Their vocabulary word was Shun which means to keep away from; to take pains to avoid. Albert Einstein was today's explorer. Even though he helped develop the atomic bomb, he didn't want to see it demonstrated on people.The affective lesson focused on students strengths and weaknesses. Students also discussed how being gifted can mean different things to different people. They spent more time developing their exploration of the ocean projects. Finally, they began a study of language systems.

5th Grade - The vocabulary word for 5th grade today was Scamper which means to run; to go hastily or lightly. Their investigator was Conrad Hubert who invented the Ever Ready flashlight. They also completed the Plexer visual word puzzles for their warm-up activity. Students discussed Truth and Consequences for their affective lesson. The rest of the time was spent finishing essays for the Exploravision project.

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

2nd Grade - Students finished their shields of courage.

 4th Grade - Their vocabulary word was Shun which means to keep away from; to take pains to avoid. Albert Einstein was today's explorer. Even though he helped develop the atomic bomb, he didn't want to see it demonstrated on people.The affective lesson focused on students strengths and weaknesses. Students also discussed how being gifted can mean different things to different people. They spent more time developing their exploration of the ocean projects. Finally, they began a study of language systems.

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

2nd Grade - Today's affective lesson focused on the understanding that successful people demonstrate courage. Students designed their own shield of honor.

 4th Grade - Their vocabulary word was Shun which means to keep away from; to take pains to avoid. Albert Einstein was today's explorer. Even though he helped develop the atomic bomb, he didn't want to see it demonstrated on people.The affective lesson focused on students strengths and weaknesses. Students also discussed how being gifted can mean different things to different people. They spent more time developing their exploration of the ocean projects. Finally, they began a study of language systems.

5th Grade - The vocabulary word for 5th grade today was Scamper which means to run; to go hastily or lightly. Their investigator was Conrad Hubert who invented the Ever Ready flashlight. They also completed the Plexer visual word puzzles for their warm-up activity. Students discussed Truth and Consequences for their affective lesson. The rest of the time was spent finishing essays for the Exploravision project.

Monday, January 14, 2013

2nd Grade - Ponderous which means heavy and massive was today's vocabulary word. Clara Barton, who started the American Red Cross, was today's investigator. Students completed a Plexer visual word puzzle for the warm-up activity.

5th Grade - The vocabulary word for 5th grade today was Scamper which means to run; to go hastily or lightly. Their investigator was Conrad Hubert who invented the Ever Ready flashlight. They also completed the Plexer visual word puzzles for their warm-up activity. Students discussed Truth and Consequences for their affective lesson. The rest of the time was spent finishing essays for the Exploravision project.

Friday, January 11, 2013

3rd Grade - Today's vocabulary word was Soporific which means sleep inducing. The explorer was James Earl Jones who overcame a stuttering problem in order to become the well known voice of many characters we know today.. Students played 20 questions for the warm-up activity. There was a brief discussion about the cause and effect of not having a government or laws. Students ended the series on Abel's Island by discussing what we knew about Able's friend Gower and what we could infer about him. They also tried to build a shelter from given materials.

Thursday, January 10, 2013

4th Grade - Their vocabulary word was Scrutinize which means to look very carefully; to examine. Thomas Alva Edison was the explorer today. He took out 1,093 patents during his lifetime. Students played 20 Questions for the warm up activity. The affective lesson focused on pet peeves. Our exploration unit is taking us to the ocean to discover how new frontiers may impact advancements in other fields of study.

5th Grade - Whimsical which means erratic in behavior; unpredictable; having a quaint or fanciful quality was today's vocabulary word. Thomas Alva Edison, who also invented gummed paper, was the investigator. These students also played a round of 20 Questions. The affective lesson focused on knowing which behavior would be the correct choice in a given situation. Students spent the afternoon working on the Exploravision project.

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

2nd Grade - Students continued their study of Divergent Thinking. Today they were given a writing prompt along with some nouns and verbs. They had to use the nouns and verbs while finishing the writing prompt.

4th Grade - Their vocabulary word was Scrutinize which means to look very carefully; to examine. Thomas Alva Edison was the explorer today. He took out 1,093 patents during his lifetime. Students played 20 Questions for the warm up activity. The affective lesson focused on pet peeves. Our exploration unit is taking us to the ocean to discover how new frontiers may impact advancements in other fields of study.

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

2nd Grade - After discovering what they have in common or different from a partner and listening to a story, students drew pictures about a favorite thing that is different about themselves.

4th Grade - Their vocabulary word was Scrutinize which means to look very carefully; to examine. Thomas Alva Edison was the explorer today. He took out 1,093 patents during his lifetime. Students played 20 Questions for the warm up activity. The affective lesson focused on pet peeves. Our exploration unit is taking us to the ocean to discover how new frontiers may impact advancements in other fields of study.

5th Grade - Whimsical which means erratic in behavior; unpredictable; having a quaint or fanciful quality was today's vocabulary word. Thomas Alva Edison, who also invented gummed paper, was the investigator. These students also played a round of 20 Questions. The affective lesson focused on knowing which behavior would be the correct choice in a given situation. Students spent the afternoon working on the Exploravision project.

Friday, December 21, 2012

3rd Grade - Today's vocabulary word was Ligature which are bonds used to tie or bind. The explorer was Whoopi Goldberg who overcame many difficulties to be the star she is today. Students completed a Surprise in the Middle drawing for the warm-up activity. There was a brief discussion about the cause and effect of not having a government. Students ended the series on Abel's Island by trying to build a shelter from given materials.

Have an enjoyable holiday break! Thank you for all of the gifts and cards.
Merry Christmas. Mrs. Rains

Monday, January 7, 2013

Welcome Back! I hope everyone had a restful break. Here's what we did today:

2nd Grade - Today's vocabulary word was Pulchritude which means beauty. Harriet Tubman, known for her work in the Underground Railroad, was today's investigator. The warm up activity was a round of 20 Questions.

5th Grade - Their vocabulary word was Whimsical which means erratic in behavior; unpredictable; having a quaint or fanciful quality. Thomas Alva Edison, who also invented gummed paper, was today's investigator. They also played a round of 20 Questions. The affective lesson focused on knowing which behavior would be the correct choice in a given situation. Students spent the afternoon working on the Exploravision project.