Wednesday, December 20, 2017

4th Grade - (Morning) These students learned that Ponderous means something that is heavy and massive. Frederick Douglass a leader in the Abolitionist movement was today's thinker. Students worked together to solve a Quotation Quizzler for the warm up activity. The affective lesson focused on how students needs are being met according to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. A plan was developed to help students solve areas where they are weak. Students completed the morning by writing a persuasive speech to determine which robot each group would build then placing their votes.
(Afternoon). The afternoon group learned that Ponderous means something that is heavy and massive. They drew a design for their robots, wrote a persuasive speech, and voted on which robots to build. Due to other holiday activities, class was cancelled for the afternoon.

Tuesday, December 19, 2017

2nd Grade - We took a break from our regular studies to try to complete a digital escape room.

4th Grade - These students learned that Ponderous means something that is heavy and massive. Frederick Douglass a leader in the Abolitionist movement was today's thinker. Students worked together to solve a Quotation Quizzler for the warm up activity. The affective lesson focused on how students needs are being met according to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. A plan was developed to help students solve areas where they are weak. Students worked to complete information that will be used for their travel brochure to Veltzar-planet of the Munracks.

Monday, December 18, 2017

2nd Grade - Students finished working on manipulative logic problems that were started last week.

5th Grade - This class learned that Soporific means sleep inducing. Today's thinker was Thomas Alva Edison who not only invented the light bulb, but also gummed paper, the phonograph, the phonograph record and the movie projector. Students worked together to solve a Quotation Quizzler for the warm up activity. The affective lesson focused on making a good first impression. Progress was made in completing two sections of the Exploravision project. We also took time to enjoy a fun holiday digital Breakout room experience.

Friday, December 15, 2017

5th Grade - Today's vocabulary word was Ligature which means binds used to tie or bind. The thinker involved a poor peddler who solved a cough candy recipe to James Smith for a meal. James Smith's sons sold the cough candy and created the Smith Brothers Cough Drops. For the affective lesson, students learned that good leaders encourage their followers. Each student wrote an encouraging note to another student in the class. The rest of class time was spent researching information to begin putting the Exploravision project together.

Thursday, December 14, 2017

2nd Grade - Today's agenda had students completing the Respect and Responsibility cartoons they started yesterday. Once the cartoons were completed, each student evaluated their work based on a rubric. We then took our weekly trip to Crystal Pond Woods where students worked to solve logic puzzles using manipulatives instead of the usual logic grid.

3rd Grade - The weekly vocabulary word was Constitution which means the system of fundamental principles according to which a nation, state, corporation, or the like, is governed. Their thinker was George Gershwin who hated music as a child but grew to become a famous pianist and composer. For the warm up activity, students identified nine items that were either close up or far away. In Crystal Pond Woods, students solved each others logic puzzles. The rest of class had students researching the Polynesian Island they selected to study.

4th Grade - Today's vocabulary word was Predilection which means a preference for something. Walt Disney, the creator of the first full length animated movie was today's thinker. The warm up activity had students deciphering nine close up or far away spirals. For the affective lesson, students thought about how they can put humor into their lives that will help them relieve the stress and pressures of being gifted. Each students then drew what they wanted their team robot to look like. They then had to write a persuasive speech to persuade their teammates they had the best design to build. The final activity was to spend time researching a planet.

Wednesday, December 13, 2017

2nd Grade - A special presentation by the Eagle Scout who updated the Butterfly Garden filled our GATE time today.

4th Grade - Today's vocabulary word was Predilection which means a preference for something. Walt Disney, the creator of the first full length animated movie was today's thinker. The warm up activity had students deciphering nine close up or far away spirals. For the affective lesson, students thought about how they can put humor into their lives that will help them relieve the stress and pressures of being gifted. Teams then worked together to help recreate a See, Run, Do poster which will help them prepare for the robots they will build in a few weeks.

Tuesday, December 12, 2017

2nd Grade - Students completed the What In The World puzzle we started yesterday. The affective lesson focused on Responsibility and Respect. Following the stories, students drew pictures that told four ways they could demonstrate respect and responsibility even when they are bored.

Monday, December 11, 2017

2nd Grade - Our vocabulary word for this week is Accumulation which means to gather or collect. The weekly thinker was John Quincy Adams who got caught swimming in the Potomac River without his clothes. The warm up activity for this week is a What In The World puzzle where students are given 9 close up or far away objects and are asked to determine the identity of each object.

5th Grade - Today's vocabulary word was Ligature which means binds used to tie or bind. The thinker involved a poor peddler who solved a cough candy recipe to James Smith for a meal. James Smith's sons sold the cough candy and created the Smith Brothers Cough Drops. For the affective lesson, students learned that good leaders encourage their followers. Each student wrote an encouraging note to another student in the class. The rest of class time was spent researching information to begin putting the Exploravision project together.

Friday, December 8, 2017

5th Grade - This week's vocabulary word was Rapacious which means raptor-like, preying on others. Our thinker was Ada Lovelace who wrote the first computer program in 1843. The class worked together to solve the logic elimination grid puzzle for the warm up activity. We set up a schedule for the Exploravision project and students began looking for ideas they could use for their project. Students also learned how to create a citation and place the information into a bibliography.

Thursday, November 7, 2017

2nd Grade - We worked on putting our "Best Foot Forward" for the affective lesson. Students learned that successful people demonstrate courage and confidence by greeting adults by looking them in the eye and speaking clearly. Students also learned that meeting adults in this manner demonstrates respect.

3rd Grade - The vocabulary word for this class was Generalization which means a result of this process; a general statement, idea, or principle. Harrison Ford was today's thinker who actually preforms real life rescues. Students worked together to solve a logic elimination grid puzzle for the warm up activity. Students evaluated the affective program we have been working through this semester. Each student also received a certificate of completion. Due to the 5th grade music performance, class was shorter today leaving time for each student to choose which set of Polynesian Islands they would like to research.

4th Grade - Our learning began with the vocabulary word Aversion which means a strong dislike toward something. The thinker was I.M. Pei who designed several award winning buildings despite the struggles that accompanied some of his designs. Students worked together to solve a logic elimination grid puzzle for the warm up activity. Pet peeves was the focus of the affective lesson. Students need to understand some of their behaviors drive friends away. The final activity was to completed a See, Run, Do poster to help them think about the robots they will soon be building as a group.

Wednesday, December 6, 2017

4th Grade - Our learning began with the vocabulary word Aversion which means a strong dislike toward something. The thinker was I.M. Pei who designed several award winning buildings despite the struggles that accompanied some of his designs. Students worked together to solve a logic elimination grid puzzle for the warm up activity. Pet peeves was the focus of the affective lesson. Students need to understand some of their behaviors drive friends away. The morning class completed a See, Run, Do poster to help them think about the robots they will soon be building as a group. The afternoon class was cut short due to some scheduling changes and so they worked on their planet explorations assignment.

Tuesday, December 5, 2017

2nd Grade - Students completed a logic elimination they started a couple of weeks ago with our friends from Crystal Pond Woods. After practicing logic puzzles with our Crystal Pond Wood friends, we started working together to complete a larger puzzle on our own.

The rest of the day, Dr. Rains worked with small groups of students or provided enrichment activities for classes while teachers attended meetings.

Monday, December 4, 2017

2nd Grade - Today we learned that Precipitation means falling products of condensation in the atmosphere, as rain, snow, or hail. The thinker was Sacagawea who was an interpreter for Lewis and Clark, but could not speak English.

5th Grade - This week's vocabulary word was Rapacious which means raptor-like, preying on others. Our thinker was Ada Lovelace who wrote the first computer program in 1843. Due to limited time, students were to take the logic elimination puzzle home for some fun homework. We set up a schedule for the Exploravision project and students began looking for ideas they could use for their project.

Friday, December 1, 2017

5th Grade - The vocabulary word for today was Sedulous which means industrious. Their thinker was Samuel Colt who couldn't sell his revolver until the U.S. Army requested large quantities of them. Time was taken to complete the Bridge Across America and we started working on the Explorvision contest assignments. Classes were a little shorter than usual due to music program practice, so only the necessary lessons were covered this week.

Thursday, November 30, 2017

2nd Grade - Students completed and shared the stories they started yesterday which was part of the lesson on developing their creativity.

3rd Grade - This class learned that the Judicial Branch is the branch of government charged with the interpretation of laws and the administration of justice; the judiciary. The thinker was Clint Eastwood who was fired from Universal Studios because they said he couldn't act. His determination overcame that obstacle to become a successful actor. Everyone worked together to solve the Stories With Holes problem for the warm up activity. The Convergent Thinking lesson in Crystal Pond Woods had student write their own logic elimination puzzles. In the Relationship lesson, students heard a little bit from the book Call It Courage by Armstrong Sperry and learned some information about the Polynesian Islands.

4th Grade - Our vocabulary word for the day was Gloat which means people who are happy about other people's failure. The thinker was Roberto Clemente who used his influence to help others. For the affective lesson, students reflected on a past successful project and analyzed how that success can help them complete future projects. The final activity was to complete the language system and begin working on the solar system.

Wednesday, November 29, 2017

2nd Grade - Students began developing their creativity by using the materials they had to create an animal. Then they started writing a story about the animal which will be finished tomorrow.

4th Grade - Our vocabulary word for the day was Gloat which means people who are happy about other people's failure. The thinker was Roberto Clemente who used his influence to help others. For the affective lesson, students reflected on a past successful project and analyzed how that success can help them complete future projects. The final activity was to complete the language system and begin working on the solar system.

Tuesday, November 28, 2017

2nd Grade - Together, students solved the Stories With Holes mystery. We discussed task commitment as one of the five traits of successful people. This was a project we started two weeks ago but were unable to finish. Another trait of successful people is creativity which we started working on today and will develop more tomorrow.

The rest of the day was spent working with small groups of students and testing potential GATE participants.

Monday, November 27, 2017

2nd Grade - Today students learned Condensation means the process of changing a gas or vapor to a liquid or solid form. The thinker was James Monroe who served his country most of his life but died a poor man. Students began trying to solve the Stories With Holes mystery for the warm up activity.

5th Grade - The vocabulary word for today was Sedulous which means industrious. Their thinker was Samuel Colt who couldn't sell his revolver until the U.S. Army requested large quantities of them. Students worked together to solve the Stories With Holes problem for the warm up activity. For the leadership lesson, students began learning vocabulary regarding leaders. Time was taken to complete the Bridge Across America and we started working on the Explorvision contest assignments.

Tuesday, November 21, 2017

While classroom teachers were attending meetings, Dr. Rains taught special lessons to different classes around the building.

Monday, November 20, 2017

2nd Grade - These students were enjoying their annual Thanksgiving rotations. We will resume our regular schedule on Monday, November 27.

5th Grade - Our learning started with the vocabulary word Opprobrious which means shameful, infamous. John Pemberton, our weekly thinker, invented a popular drink called Wine of Coca which he sold as a brain tonic. When alcohol was banned in Atlanta, his new formula didn't sell as well as the original. The formula was sold a couple of more times before Asa Chandler added bubbles and calling it Coca-Cola. Students completed a Surprise in the Middle drawing for the warm up activity. The affective lesson had students considering leadership qualities in their friends. Our next major project will be the Exploravision contest which was introduced today. The rest of the class time provided students an opportunity to complete their Bridge Across America projects.

Friday, November 17, 2017

5th Grade - Our learning started with the vocabulary word Opprobrious which means shameful, infamous. John Pemberton, our weekly thinker, invented a popular drink called Wine of Coca which he sold as a brain tonic. When alcohol was banned in Atlanta, his new formula didn't sell as well as the original. The formula was sold a couple of more times before Asa Chandler added bubbles and calling it Coca-Cola. Students completed a Surprise in the Middle drawing for the warm up activity. The affective lesson had students considering leadership qualities in their friends. Our next major project will be the Exploravision contest which was introduced today. The rest of the class time provided students an opportunity to complete their Bridge Across America projects.

Thursday, November 16, 2017

2nd Grade - During our weekly trip to Crystal Pond Woods, students began labeling a logic elimination grid as a way to solve problems.

3rd Grade - These students learned that the Legislative Branch is the branch of government having the power to make laws; the legislature. Their thinker was Walt Disney who was rejected by the Chicago Tribune but persevered to become a famous cartoonist. For their affective lesson, students had to evaluate how they were doing with the five characteristics of successful people and set goals to improve in those areas. Students completed their logic elimination puzzles they started last wee in Crystal Pond Woods. The final activity was the Relationship lesson where students understood that new situations may help people make personal discoveries.

4th Grade - Fourth graders were enjoying their annual Mad Scientist Day.

Wednesday, November 15, 2017

2nd Grade - Last week our affective lesson focused on goal setting. Today we finished those goals and started a new lesson regarding task commitment.

4th Grade -  The vocabulary word for today was Sullen which means a person who is sulky or quietly in a bad mood. The thinker was Mary Cassatt who overcame the stigma of being a woman to become America's Great Impressionist. Students learned about following the directions and creativity with a Surprise in the Middle drawing for the warm up activity. For the affective lesson, students had to analyze and evaluate the various activities in which they are involved to determine if they are trying to keep up with those activities like a bunch of spinning plates. The rest of our time together was spent working on Language Systems assignments.

Tuesday, November 14, 2017

2nd Grade - Students drew a Surprise in the Middle drawing for the warm up activity this week. This is a great exercise in learning to follow directions and develop creativity.

4th Grade - Due to Mad Scientist Day Thursday, the Thursday afternoon class met today. Their vocabulary word was Sullen which means a person who is sulky or quietly in a bad mood. The thinker was Mary Cassatt who overcame the stigma of being a woman to become America's Great Impressionist. Students learned about following the directions and creativity with a Surprise in the Middle drawing for the warm up activity. For the affective lesson, students had to analyze and evaluate the various activities in which they are involved to determine if they are trying to keep up with those activities like a bunch of spinning plates. The rest of our time together was spent working on Language Systems assignments.

Monday, November 13, 2017

2nd Grade - The vocabulary word for this week is Evaporation which means to change from a liquid or solid state into vapor. Our thinker was Sybil Luddington who was a female version of Paul Revere warning the colonial militia the British were heading their way.

5th Grade - Today students learned that Tantamount means equivalent to, virtually the same. The thinker was Ruth Wakefield who ran out of baking chocolate, used a chopped up Nestles candy bar for her chocolate cookies, which resulted in chocolate chip cookies. Students solved the 20 Questions Mystery Object for the warm up activity. During the leadership lesson, students completed a "treasure" hunt in their small groups looking for ways their peers demonstrated leadership. Students spent the rest of class working to finish their Bridge Across America timelines.

Next week they will be introduced to the Exploravision contest.

Friday, November 10, 2017

5th Grade - Today students learned that Tantamount means equivalent to, virtually the same. The thinker was Ruth Wakefield who ran out of baking chocolate, used a chopped up Nestles candy bar for her chocolate cookies, which resulted in chocolate chip cookies. Students worked to solve the 20 Questions Mystery Object for the warm up activity. During the leadership lesson, students completed a "treasure" hunt in their small groups looking for ways their peers demonstrated leadership. Students spent the rest of class working to finish their Bridge Across America timelines.

Next week they will be introduced to the Exploravision contest.

Thursday, November 9, 2017

2nd Grade - Today we covered our affective lesson. The focus of this week's lesson was on goal setting.

3rd Grade - The weekly vocabulary word was Executive Branch which the branch of government charged with the execution and enforcement of laws and policies and the administration of public affairs; the executive. Our weekly thinker was Tom Cruise who is a struggling reader and a successful actor. Students worked together to solve the 20 Questions Mystery Object for the warm up activity. We have been studying the five common characteristics of successful people; above average ability, task commitment, caring, courage, and creativity. Today students had to think of someone in their life who demonstrated those five characteristics. During our weekly trip to Crystal Pond Woods, students were challenged with more difficult logic elimination puzzles.

4th Grade - These students learned that Excessive means something that goes beyond the usual limit. George Washington Carver overcame discrimination to become a successful botanist. Students worked to solve the 20 Questions Mystery Object for the warm up activity. The affective lesson focused on escape routes people have to alert themselves about trouble. Students worked to complete their Language System projects for the final activity.

Wednesday, November 8, 2017

2nd Grade - This class finished analyzing, sorting and classifying shapes into a Venn Diagram.

4th Grade - These students learned that Excessive means something that goes beyond the usual limit. George Washington Carver overcame discrimination to become a successful botanist. Students solved the 20 Questions Mystery Object for the warm up activity. The affective lesson focused on escape routes people have to alert themselves about trouble. Students worked to complete their Language System projects for the final activity.

Tuesday, November 7, 2017

There were no Enrichment classes today.

Monday, November 6, 2017

2nd Grade - Today we learned that Forecast means a prediction, especially as to the weather. President James Madison was one of our smallest Presidents. The warm up activity for this week was a 20 Question Mystery Object that we will try to discover tomorrow.

5th Grade - Students today learned that Diaphanous means translucent/transparent. Their thinker was Thomas Adams, an inventor and friend of Santa Anna. When Mr. Adams was trying to invent a cheaper rubber, Santa Anna suggested he try chicle from Mexico. When the chicle didn't make a good rubber, Mr. Adams popped it into his mouth and started making chewing gum.The warm up activity was a drawing where one students held the pencil while a partner moved the paper to create the desired object. Our affective lesson on leadership had students considering people who have touched their lives and how students can influence others. The final activity was working on the Bridge Across America project.

This afternoon, students from Ms. Ashton and Ms. Wood's classes had the opportunity to make up time missed last week because of their AR celebrations.

Friday, November 3, 2017

5th Grade - Students today learned that Diaphanous means translucent/transparent. Their thinker was Thomas Adams, an inventor and friend of Santa Anna. When Mr. Adams was trying to invent a cheaper rubber, Santa Anna suggested he try chicle from Mexico. When the chicle didn't make a good rubber, Mr. Adams popped it into his mouth and started making chewing gum.The warm up activity was a drawing where one students held the pencil while a partner moved the paper to create the desired object. Our affective lesson on leadership had students considering people who have touched their lives and how students can influence others. The final activity was working on the Bridge Across America project.

Thursday, November 2, 2017

2nd Grade - This morning students finished the stories they started yesterday called, "Fingerprints of Greatness."

3rd Grade - All of the third grade classes enjoyed a field trip to the zoo. We will try to make up this class next week.

4th grade - We learned that Benevolent means kind and caring. The weekly thinker was Jimmy Carter who worked with Anwar Sadat (former President of Egypt) and Menachem Begin (former Prime Minister of Israel) to reach a peace agreement. These students worked with partners to complete a drawing of a snake. While one student held the pencil in place, the partner moved the paper around to reached the desired drawing. The affective lesson focused on each students' strengths and weaknesses and how "self talk" can be an encouragement. The rest of class was spent working on Google classroom assignments dealing with Language Systems.

Wednesday, November 1, 2017

2nd grade - Our warm up activity for this week was a creative thinking opportunity which really required some additional brain activity. One student would move a piece of paper to create the drawing while another student held the pencil. We then moved to our affective lesson where students began another activity demonstrating understanding of the fact that being gifted means different things to different people.

4th grade - This class learned that Benevolent means kind and caring. The weekly thinker was Jimmy Carter who worked with Anwar Sadat (former President of Egypt) and Menachem Begin (former Prime Minister of Israel) to reach a peace agreement. These students worked with partners to complete a drawing of a snake. While one student held the pencil in place, the partner moved the paper around to reached the desired drawing. The affective lesson focused on each students' strengths and weaknesses and how "self talk" can be an encouragement. The rest of class was spent working on Google classroom assignments dealing with Language Systems.

Tuesday, October 31, 2017

Today students from several classes were able to enjoy a special Enrichment lesson while there teachers attended meetings.

Monday, October 30, 2017

2nd Grade - These students learned that Predict means to declare or tell in advance. Their thinker was Lydia Darragh who was a spy for George Washington's army during the Revolutionary War.

5th Grade - Students learned that Sequester means to remove and hold in isolation. Today's thinker was George Washington Carver who had a secret garden as a child. Together students solved a logic elimination grid puzzle for the warm up activity. The affective lessons have been focusing on Leadership. Today students had to identify 10 people in their lives and in the world who demonstrate the qualities of leadership. The rest of class was spent finishing up the Bridge Across America project.

Friday, October 27, 2017

5th Grade - Students learned that Sequester means to remove and hold in isolation. Today's thinker was George Washington Carver who had a secret garden as a child. Together students solved a logic elimination grid puzzle for the warm up activity. The affective lessons have been focusing on Leadership. Today students had to identify 10 people in their lives and in the world who demonstrate the qualities of leadership. The rest of class was spent finishing up the Bridge Across America project.

Thursday, October 26, 2017

2nd Grade - We took our weekly trip to Crystal Pond Woods where we are still working on our Convergent Thinking skills. Today students had to analyze shapes and sort them into a Venn Diagram.

3rd Grade - Today they learned that a Reef is a ridge of rocks or sand, often of coral debris, at or near the surface of the water. The weekly Thinker was Cher who met with failure after her first record. Through determination and hard work, Cher became a famous musician. The focus of the affective lesson was on caring. In Crystal Pond Woods, students reviewed and played a Convergent Thinking game similar to Master Mind called Aces, Jumbles, and Zilch. For the Relationships lesson, students were introduced to two books; Call It Courage and Abel's Island. These two books will be the focus for our Relationships lessons over the next several weeks.

4th Grade - Today's vocabulary word was Loquacious which means someone who talks too much. The thinker was Rachel Carson an environmentalist who was able to remove DDT from being used on farms. Students worked together to solve a logic elimination grid puzzle for the warm up activity. The affective lesson focused on tolerance and how to deal with pet peeves. The rest of our time together was spent working on language system assignments from Google Classroom.

Wednesday, October 25, 2017

2nd Grade - Students from this class enjoyed a field trip today.

4th Grade - Today's vocabulary word was Loquacious which means someone who talks too much. The thinker was Rachel Carson an environmentalist who was able to remove DDT from being used on farms. Students worked together to solve a logic elimination grid puzzle for the warm up activity. The affective lesson focused on tolerance and how to deal with pet peeves. The rest of our time together was spent working on language system assignments from Google Classroom.

Tuesday, October 24, 2017

2nd Grade - Students completed their storyboards regarding what they like about themselves. This was part of the affective lesson we started last Wednesday where students learned that being gifted means different things to different people.

Wednesday, October 18, 2017

2nd Grade - Today's affective lesson focused on the book by Jamie Lee Curtis "I'm Gonna Like Me." Students started a storyboard regarding what they like about themselves.

4th Grade - In order to accommodate the fourth grade classes around Fall Break, Mrs. Bonner, Mrs. Bruns and Mrs. Nine's gifted students met today. They learned that Infallible means a person who never makes a mistake. Elizabeth Blackwell, today's thinker, was accepted to medical school because the school thought it was a joke. She was admitted and became the first American woman doctor. Students worked together to solve the logic elimination puzzle for the warm up activity. For the affective lesson, students were given eight entities they deal with everyday and were asked to determine where on a spectrum they fell with each item. From there students had to put each entity into perspective by creating a house blue print with each entity as the room of a house. We continued to work on language systems. Students created posters to share different countries and the languages spoken in each. If they completed that activity, they had some assignments in Google Classroom to complete.

Tuesday, October 17, 2017

2nd Grade - Students worked together to solve the logic elimination grid puzzle we started yesterday.

4th Grade - In order to accommodate the fourth grade classes around Fall Break, Mrs. Bonner, Mrs. Bruns and Mrs. Nine's gifted students met today. They learned that Infallible means a person who never makes a mistake. Elizabeth Blackwell, today's thinker, was accepted to medical school because the school thought it was a joke. She was admitted and became the first American woman doctor. Students worked together to solve the logic elimination puzzle for the warm up activity. For the affective lesson, students were given eight entities they deal with everyday and were asked to determine where on a spectrum they fell with each item. From there students had to put each entity into perspective by creating a house blue print with each entity as the room of a house. We continued to work on language systems. Students created posters to share different countries and the languages spoken in each. If they completed that activity, they had some assignments in Google Classroom to complete.

Monday, October 16, 2017

2nd Grade - This class learned that Front is a transition between two different air masses. Their thinker was Thomas Jefferson who actually kept a couple of grizzly bears on the White House lawn. We started working on a Plexer puzzle for the warm up activity. Tomorrow we will work together to finish it.

5th Grade - Today students learned that Solicitous means attentive, concerned. Luther Burbank, the plant doctor and today's thinker, had 3,000 experiments going at one time. Students were challenged to solve the What in the World puzzle for the warm up activity. The focus of the affective lesson was getting kids to focus on their own potential to become a leader. A survey of the gifted and talented program was then completed. Finally, students worked some more on their Bridge Across America projects.

Friday, October 13, 2017

5th Grade - Today students learned that Solicitous means attentive, concerned. Luther Burbank, the plant doctor and today's thinker, had 3,000 experiments going at one time. Students were challenged to solve the What in the World puzzle for the warm up activity. The focus of the affective lesson was getting kids to focus on their own potential to become a leader. A survey of the gifted and talented program was then completed. Finally, students worked some more on their Bridge Across America projects.

Thursday, October 12, 2017

2nd Grade - Students completed their gifted education program surveys this morning.

3rd Grade - This class learned that Confidence means belief in oneself and one's powers or abilities. The thinker was Jim Carrey who had to drop out of high school to help support his family. Students solved the What in the World puzzles for the warm up activity. Each student completed a survey about the gifted education program. The affective lesson focused on Courage today. Each student was able to demonstrate courage by giving a one minute, spontaneous speech about an assigned topic.


4th Grade - These classes learned that Benign means something that is harmless. The weekly thinker was Mary McLeod Bethune who understood the importance of an education and started a school for African Americans in Daytona, Florida. Students were challenged to solve the What in the World puzzles for the warm up activity. For the affective lesson, students evaluated and compared their characteristics with those of different family members. Time was taken to complete a survey about the gifted program at Washington Irving. When those tasks were completed, students finished selecting 10 foreign countries and research the language spoken there.

Wednesday, October 11, 2017

2nd Grade - These students worked to complete the What in the World puzzles for the warm up activity. The rest of our time together was spent completing a survey about the gifted program.

4th Grade - These classes learned that Benign means something that is harmless. The weekly thinker was Mary McLeod Bethune who understood the importance of an education and started a school for African Americans in Daytona, Florida. Students were challenged to solve the What in the World puzzles for the warm up activity. For the affective lesson, students evaluated and compared their characteristics with those of different family members. Time was taken to complete a survey about the gifted program at Washington Irving. When those tasks were completed, students finished selecting 10 foreign countries and research the language spoken there.

Tuesday, October 10, 2017

Classroom teachers were involved in their Professional Learning Community meetings today and Dr. Rains had the opportunity to provide some enrichment activities to different classes.

Monday, October 9, 2017

2nd Grade - Today we learned that Meteorology means the study of the atmospheric conditions and weather of an ares. Their thinker was Molly Pitcher who bravely took water to soldiers on the battlefield during the Revolutionary War.

5th Grade - These students learned that Pejorative means disparaging (negative/discouraging). Their thinker was Levi Strauss who invented blue jeans because he couldn't sell his bolts of canvas. Students worked together to solve the Quotation Quizzler for the warm up activity. The affective lesson playing a game called Linked. This was followed by some discussion regarding leadership. The final activity was to have students continue to work on their Bridge Across America project.

Friday, October 6, 2017

5th Grade - These students learned that Pejorative means disparaging (negative/discouraging). Their thinker was Levi Strauss who invented blue jeans because he couldn't sell his bolts of canvas. Students worked together to solve the Quotation Quizzler for the warm up activity. The affective lesson playing a game called Linked. This was followed by some discussion regarding leadership. The final activity was to have students continue to work on their Bridge Across America project.

Thursday, October 5, 2017

2nd Grade - We spent our time together finishing projects started earlier in the week.

3rd Grade - This class learned that a Cannibal is a person who eats human flesh. Their thinker was Lucille Ball who was told to go home by her drama school teachers. Ms. Ball persevered and became a famous actress. Together these students were able to solve the Quotation Quizzler puzzle for the warm up activity. The affective lesson focused on task commitment and motivators to completing a task. Our weekly trip to Crystal Pond Woods had students starting a game similar to Master Mind only using paper and pencil.

4th Grade - The vocabulary word for this group was Interminable which means something that seems forever, as if there's no end in sight. Clara Barton was the thinker. Ms. Barton started the American Red Cross during the Civil War. Students worked together to solve the Quotation Quizzler for the warm up activity. We began looking at family traits and how our personality came from our ancestors. For the System study, students began looking at different languages spoken around the world.

Wednesday, October 4, 2017

2nd Grade - Today students focused on the affective lesson which focused on the generalization that being gifted can mean different things.

4th Grade - The vocabulary word for this group was Interminable which means something that seems forever, as if there's no end in sight. Clara Barton was the thinker. Ms. Barton started the American Red Cross during the Civil War. Students worked together to solve the Quotation Quizzler for the warm up activity. We began looking at family traits and how our personality came from our ancestors. For the System study, students began looking at different languages spoken around the world.

Tuesday, October 3, 2017

Teachers were attending grade level meetings throughout the day so there were not Enrichment classes.

Monday, October 2, 2017

2nd Grade - This class learned that Atmosphere means a gaseous envelope surrounding the earth; the air. John Adams, our second President, never climbed the stairs of the White House because the stairs hadn't been built yet. Together we started solving the Quotation Quizzler for the warm up activity, but ran out of time to finish it.

5th Grade - These students learned someone who is Pugnacious is quarrelsome (argumentative). Their thinker for today was Alexander Graham Bell who experimented with vibrations because his mother was deaf. Students completed a Surprise in the Middle drawing for the warm up activity. Our affective lessons this year are focused on developing leadership in kids. Today, students had to make a human train with each member connected by a balloon. Following the activity we discussed the successes and failures of working together. The rest of the day had students trying to log onto the internet but technology issues made the final activity one to be saved for another day.

Friday, September 29, 2017

5th Grade - These students learned someone who is Pugnacious is quarrelsome (argumentative). Their thinker for today was Alexander Graham Bell who experimented with vibrations because his mother was deaf. Students completed a Surprise in the Middle drawing for the warm up activity. Our affective lessons this year are focused on developing leadership in kids. Today, students had to make a human train with each member connected by a balloon. Following the activity we discussed the successes and failures of working together. The rest of the day had students answering questions about research and gathering information for their Bridge Across America project.

Thursday, September 28, 2017

2nd Grade - Students had the opportunity to finish the convergent thinking puzzles they started yesterday.

3rd Grade - These students learned that Personification means the attributes of human nature or character to animals or inanimate objects. Their thinker was Dr. Seuss who had 27 publishers turn down his first book. The warm up activity had students creating a Surprise in the Middle drawing. For the affective lesson, students were each given a white sheet of paper and a black circle from which they had to create something in 15 minutes. During their trip to Crystal Pond Woods, students were introduced to logic puzzles that used a logic elimination grid as a way to organize information.

4th Grade - These students learned that Overt means something that is open to view not secret. Our thinker for today was Susan B. Anthony who went to jail for voting. Students completed a Surprise in the Middle drawing for the warm up activity. Their affective lesson focused on identifying their positive and negative personality traits. Last week we began our Systems study by listening to a story about Munracks of Veltzar. We then discussed what systems we would find on their planet and drew what a Munrack might look like. Today students got to make a life size drawing of their team's Munrack.

Wednesday, September 27, 2017

2nd Grade - This class finished the affective lesson they started yesterday regarding their strengths and weaknesses. We then took a trip to Crystal Pond Woods where we developed our convergent thinking using a logic elimination grid.

4th Grade - These students learned that Overt means something that is open to view not secret. Our thinker for today was Susan B. Anthony who went to jail for voting. Students completed a Surprise in the Middle drawing for the warm up activity. Their affective lesson focused on identifying their positive and negative personality traits. Last week we began our Systems study by listening to a story about Munracks of Veltzar. We then discussed what systems we would find on their planet and drew what a Munrack might look like. Today students got to make a life size drawing of their team's Munrack.

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

2nd Grade - Students worked for a while to figure out the 20 Questions/Mystery Object. We moved on from there to the social/emotional lesson where students identified activities they were good at doing and those they did not do as well.

5th Grade - Today students learned that Prognosticate means to predict. Earle Dickson invented the Band aide because of a clumsy wife. Students worked together to solve the 20 Questions Mystery Object. The affective lesson is focusing on leadership this year. Students developed a Leadership Acrostic that displayed the characteristics of good leadership. The final activity was to gather information for a timeline of the Bridge Across America (westward movement).

Monday, September 25, 2017

2nd Grade - Today's vocabulary word was Drought which is a period of dry weather. Their thinker was Deborah Sampson who joined the Continental Army disguised as a man so had to refuse treatment for a leg wound or be discovered.

For the afternoon, Dr. Rains was around the building teaching enrichment activities to classes while classroom teachers attended meetings.

Friday, September 22, 2017

5th Grade - Today students learned that Prognosticate means to predict. Earle Dickson invented the Band aide because of a clumsy wife. Students worked together to solve the 20 Questions Mystery Object. The affective lesson is focusing on leadership this year. Students developed a Leadership Acrostic that displayed the characteristics of good leadership. The final activity was to gather information for a timeline of the Bridge Across America (westward movement).

Thursday, September 21, 2017

2nd Grade - The Big Idea we will be learning about in second grade Enrichment will be Change. Students had an opportunity to share what they currently know about Change by taking a pre-assessment.

3rd Grade - This class had two vocabulary words for the week: Phobia winch is a specific object, activity, or situation that leads to a compelling desire to avoid it and Caricature which is a picture, description, etc., ludicrously exaggerating the peculiarities or defects of persons or things. The thinker was Charles Dickens who did not win a writing prize in grammar school but did become a beloved author. Students worked together to solve the mystery object of the 20 Questions game for the warm up activity. The affective lesson focused on the characteristic of Above Average Ability. In Crystal Pond Woods, students continued to develop their convergent thinking skills as they completed several types of puzzles. In the Relationships lesson, students looked at family relationships and created analogies involving their own family relationships.

4th Grade - There were two vocabulary words today: Oblivious which means someone who does not know or is not aware of what's happening and System which is an assemblage or combination of things or parts forming a complex or unitary whole. Today's thinker was Jane Addams who established the Hull House to have "neighbors helping neighbors." For the warm up activity, students drew a design of circles drawn with a pencil held in their fist instead of between of between their fingers. The affective lesson focused on identifying what would typically be on the mind of a fourth grader. To begin the study of Systems, students were given a fictitious character from a made up planet. Students discussed the various systems that the creature would be involved with on his home planet. Each student drew their interpretation of the creature and teammates voted for the one that best represented the book's description. Next week we will try to draw a portrait of the creature.

Wednesday, September 20, 2017

2nd Grade - In order to get to know students better this year, each student filled an Interest Survey.

4th Grade - There were two vocabulary words today: Oblivious which means someone who does not know or is not aware of what's happening and System which is an assemblage or combination of things or parts forming a complex or unitary whole. Today's thinker was Jane Addams who established the Hull House to have "neighbors helping neighbors." For the warm up activity, students drew a design of circles drawn with a pencil held in their fist instead of between of between their fingers. The affective lesson focused on identifying what would typically be on the mind of a fourth grader. To begin the study of Systems, students were given a fictitious character from a made up planet. Students discussed the various systems that the creature would be involved with on his home planet. Each student drew their interpretation of the creature and teammates voted for the one that best represented the book's description. Next week we will try to draw a portrait of the creature.

Tuesday, September 19, 2017

While teachers were attending Professional Learning Community meetings, different classes came to Dr. Rains room for enrichment activities.

Monday, September 18, 2017

Today was a holiday for students while teachers attended professional development meetings.

Friday, September 15, 2015

5th Grade - Students today learned that Quid Pro Quo is a Latin phrase meaning an equal exchange and Structure means mode of building, construction, or organization; arrangement of parts, elements, or constituents. For the warm up activity, students drew circles with their fists. The thinkers of the day were Gottlieg Daimler and Karl Benz who invented the first gasoline powered cars in two different places. The affective lesson was an introduction to leadership. Students different qualities that make up leaders. After a brief lesson in using resource materials, students learned that the Bridge Across America was an intangible structure. This led to the first project where students will make a timeline of a family on the Bridge Across America.

Thursday, September 14, 2017

2nd Grade - Students completed the personality inventory this morning.

3rd Grade - These students learned that Polynesian means those island groups in the Pacific lying East of Melanesia and Micronesia and extending from the Hawaiian Islands South to New Zealand. Their explorer was Roald Dahl who had difficulty putting his thoughts on paper as a child, but grew to be a beloved author. Students were introduced the Take 5 program from which will come the third grade Enrichment affective lessons. We then traveled to Crystal Pond Woods where the Puzzlers' Club was meeting and shared several types of puzzles with us.

4th Grade - This class learned that Confound means to confuse or mix someone up. Their thinker was Bill Cosby who overcame a childhood of poverty to become a famous comedian. As a class we developed a Code of Conduct. In order to get to know the students better, Dr. Rains had students complete a personality inventory, an interest survey, and a Thoughts page. The fourth grade Thinkers, Thoughts, and Thingamajigs will focus on Systems. To get started students took a pre-assessment about systems.

Wednesday, September 13, 2017

2nd Grade - Students wrote about some thoughts they were thinking. These are on display in our classroom. They then began working on a short personality inventory.

4th Grade - This class learned that Confound means to confuse or mix someone up. Their thinker was Bill Cosby who overcame a childhood of poverty to become a famous comedian. As a class we developed a Code of Conduct. In order to get to know the students better, Dr. Rains had students complete a personality inventory, an interest survey, and a Thoughts page. The fourth grade Thinkers, Thoughts, and Thingamajigs will focus on Systems. To get started students took a pre-assessment about systems.

Tuesday, September 12, 2017

2nd Grade - Today students worked on some Plexer puzzles, developed a class Code of Conduct and wrote some thoughts about different things.

Monday, September 11, 2017

2nd Grade - This group of students learned that Change means to make the form, nature, content, future course, etc., of (something) different from what it is or from what it would be if left alone. The thinker, George Washington was not the first President of the United States. Before there was a Constitution John Hanson was the President.

5th Grade - These students learned that Admonish means a mild cautionary rebuke or warning. Their thinker for today was Archimedes, the discoverer of water displacement. Students completed a Plexer puzzle for the warm up activity. As a class, students developed a Class Code of Conduct or rules they would follow during Enrichment this year. Dr. Rains is wanting to get to know her students better this year so students filled out a personality test and an interest survey. To get started thinking about thinkers, thoughts and thingamajigs, students took a pre-assessment.

Friday, September 8, 2016

5th Grade - These students learned that Admonish means a mild cautionary rebuke or warning. Their thinker for today was Archimedes, the discoverer of water displacement. Students completed a Plexer puzzle for the warm up activity. As a class, students developed a Class Code of Conduct or rules they would follow during Enrichment this year. Dr. Rains is wanting to get to know her students better this year so students filled out a personality test and an interest survey. To get started thinking about thinkers, thoughts and thingamajigs, students took a pre-assessment. The final activity was a drawing activity from which they were given specific instructions yet allowed to develop the final product as they wished.

Thursday, September 7, 2017

We were finally able to start having Enrichment classes at Washington Irving. Here's what we did today:

2nd Grade - This class will start meeting Monday morning.

3rd Grade - First we learned that a Relationship is a connection, association, or involvement. Hans Christian Andersen, author of The Ugly Duckling, had difficulty spelling. For the warm up activity students completed Plexer puzzles which are common words or phrases in picture form. As a class we developed a Code of Conduct or rules to follow while attending Enrichment. Dr. Rains wanted to get to know her students a little better so each student to the True Colors Personality Test and filled out an Interest Inventory. While the big theme for Enrichment this year is Thinkers, Thoughts and Thingamajigs, this particular class will focus on the relationship portion of those thinkers. In order to know our current understanding of the topic Dr. Rains had each student take a pre-assessment.

4th Grade - This class will start next week with the rest of the fourth grade classes.

Friday, August 25, 2017

Welcome back! At Washington Irving we have completed one whole week of school. We are still adding students and teachers. It is hoped that we will be settled into classes by next weekend so we can have a regular "specials" schedule. Once that schedule is in place, Dr. Rains can then set up the Enrichment schedule. We hope to start Enrichment after Labor Day. Until then every class will be coming to my room once during the week for an enrichment activity.

Monday, May 22, 2017

Today our fifth graders celebrated their promotion to middle school with a 5th Grade Celebration. This canceled class this morning. Dr. Rains was attending a meeting this afternoon and canceled all afternoon classes.

Tomorrow will be our last day of school for this school year which means there will be no more blog posts until August. Have a great summer and we will speak again in September when enrichment classes resume.

Friday, May 19, 2017

3rd Grade - This class learned that Variance means an amount of difference or change. Our explorer, Winston Churchill was last in his class but he did eventually learn and became a great statesman. Students worked together to solve a Quotation Quizzler for the warm up activity. There were two assessments taken today: One for the Gifts lessons and the other for the Discovery lessons.We took our final trip to Crystal Pond Woods where we applied our problem solving abilities to a real life situation. The final activity was to work together to solve a digital breakout room.

5th Grade - These students learned that a priori is a Latin phrase based on untested assumptions or theory. Their explorer was Garrett Morgan who invented the first traffic signal which only had stop and go. For the warm up activity, students worked together to solve a Quotation Quizzler. Students then took a post assessment regarding what they learned this year about Explorations. The final activity was to complete an online escape room challenge.

Thursday, May 19, 2017

There were no Enrichment classes today.

Wednesday, May 17, 2017

1st Grade - Today we learned that Nellie Bly Elizabeth Cochrane was an author who actually traveled around the world in 1889 taking only 72 days to complete the trip. Students worked together to solve a Quotation Quizzler puzzle for the warm up activity. We then started to work on a digital escape room for our final activity.

5th Grade - These students learned that a priori is a Latin phrase based on untested assumptions or theory. Their explorer was Garrett Morgan who invented the first traffic signal which only had stop and go. For the warm up activity, students were given a picture of Omer the Odyssey of the Mind mascot and had to describe in two minutes what they saw. Students then took a post assessment regarding what they learned this year about Explorations. The final activity was to complete an online escape room challenge.

4th Grade - These students learned that Reiterate means to repeat or say something again. Their explorer was George C. Marshall who devised the plan to help repair Europe after World War II. For the warm up activity, students were given a picture of Omer the Odyssey of the Mind mascot and had to describe in two minutes what they saw. Students then took a post assessment regarding what they learned this year about Explorations. The final activity was to complete an online escape room challenge.

2nd Grade - This class built the kites they designed yesterday and had a few minutes left to celebrate our last class together.

Tuesday, May 16, 2017

4th Grade - These students learned that Reiterate means to repeat or say something again. Their explorer was George C. Marshall who devised the plan to help repair Europe after World War II. For the warm up activity, students were given a picture of Omer the Odyssey of the Mind mascot and had to describe in two minutes what they saw. Students then took a post assessment regarding what they learned this year about Explorations. The final activity was to complete an online escape room challenge.

2nd Grade - Today students watched a video segment about different kinds of kites. They were given a challenge to make a kite from given materials. Each student designed a kite and then teams voted on which design they liked best. Tomorrow students will build the kites.

Monday, May 15, 2017

5th Grade - These students learned that a priori is a Latin phrase based on untested assumptions or theory. Their explorer was Garrett Morgan who invented the first traffic signal which only had stop and go. For the warm up activity, students were given a picture of Omer the Odyssey of the Mind mascot and had to describe in two minutes what they saw. Students then took a post assessment regarding what they learned this year about Explorations. The final activity was to complete an online escape room challenge.

2nd Grade - This class learned the Erosion means the gradual destruction of something by natural forces (such as water, wind, or ice). The explorer, Lydia Darragh was a good listener who learned secrets from the British that she passed on to General Washington's men. These students also completed the Odyssey of the Mind brainstorming exercise for the warm up activity. The final activity today was to complete a post assessment regarding what they learned this year about Discoveries.

Friday, May 12, 2017

Due to several activities around school today, Enrichment classes were canceled.

Thursday, May 11, 2017

Dr. Rains was around the building today teaching computer skills to different classes while their teachers attended meetings.

Wednesday, May 10, 2017

1st Grade - This class learned that Theodore did not lead the Cavalry up San Juan Hill. Instead it was Kettle Hill. When presented with nine close up items that needed to be identified, the class worked together and solved the puzzle. Students continued learning about scientific thinking as they used analytical thinking to compare and contrast two different items.

5th Grade - Rebarbative which means ugly, repellent was today's vocabulary word. Today's explorer was Dr. John Gorrie who invented the refrigerator to be used for yellow fever patients. Students worked together to try to solve a Quotation Quizzler for the warm up activity. The affective lesson focused on the question, "I wonder..." what it means to define something? Our Exploration study had students researching famous explorers and selecting what artifacts they would like to complete to demonstrate their learning.

4th Grade - These students learned that Precision means exactness or accuracy. The explorer, Yo-Yo Ma is a famous cellist who wants to share classical music with all ages of people. Students worked together to complete the Quotation Quizzler puzzle for the warm up activity. For the affective lesson, students used the learning styles inventory from last week to help them find their career choice. We then looked at life styles and compared that to how much money their career would make. For the exploration lesson, students learned that kites may be used in the future for wind energy.

2nd Grade - We continued practicing evaluative thinking in combination with visual thinking by choosing which shape best fit a particular title and describing why the shape fit.

Tuesday, May 9, 2017

4th Grade - These students learned that Precision means exactness or accuracy. The explorer, Yo-Yo Ma is a famous cellist who wants to share classical music with all ages of people. Students worked together to complete the Quotation Quizzler puzzle for the warm up activity. For the affective lesson, students used the learning styles inventory from last week to help them find their career choice. We then looked at life styles and compared that to how much money their career would make.

2nd Grade - This class discussed the pressures of being gifted for the social/emotional topic this week.

Monday, May 8, 2017

5th Grade - Rebarbative which means ugly, repellent was today's vocabulary word. Today's explorer was Dr. John Gorrie who invented the refrigerator to be used for yellow fever patients. Students worked together to try to solve a Quotation Quizzler for the warm up activity. The affective lesson focused on the question, "I wonder..." what it means to define something? Our Exploration study had students researching famous explorers and selecting what artifacts they would like to complete to demonstrate their learning.

2nd Grade - These students learned that Confinement means something (as borders or walls) that encloses. Their explorer was Theodore Roosevelt who did not lead a charge up San Juan Hill. He did lead a charge up Kettle Hill. Students started working together on a Quotation Quizzler for the warm up activity.

Friday, May 5, 2017

3rd Grade - Today's vocabulary word was Imprison which means to put someone in prison. Their explorers were the Wright brothers. Neither bothers went to high school but both were fascinated with a flying toy their father brought home which led them to build the first airplane. Students worked together to complete a logic elimination problem for the warm up activity. The gifted lesson focused on the idea of how things become valuable. In Crystal Pond Woods, students began practicing their evaluative thinking skills using a problem-solving matrix.

5th Grade - The vocabulary word for today was Kibitzer which means an onlooker who offers advice. Johannes Gutenberg, today's explorer and inventor of the printing press, did not make any money with his invention. In fact, he lost possession of his press when he could not pay back the loan he received to make it. Students had to figure out the 9 close up items of the What in the World puzzle for the warm up activity. Today's affective lesson focused on the question, "Can something logical ever not make sense?" The third through fifth grade classes will be participated in the state wide kite festival today. Enrichment students had the opportunity to design and build a kite.

2nd Grade - This class focused on the idea that not all discoveries are equal in importance and impact. After looking at the evidence archaeologists have found at Pompeii, students used inference to tell what they thought life was like during that time period.

Thursday, May 4, 2017

Dr. Rains was teaching computer coding skills to different classes around the building while classroom teachers were attending meetings.

Wednesday, May 3, 2017

1st Grade - This class was enjoying a field trip with the rest of the first grade classes.

5th Grade - The vocabulary word for today was Kibitzer which means an onlooker who offers advice. Johannes Gutenberg, today's explorer and inventor of the printing press, did not make any money with his invention. In fact, he lost possession of his press when he could not pay back the loan he received to make it. Students had to figure out the 9 close up items of the What in the World puzzle for the warm up activity. Today's affective lesson focused on the question, "Can something logical ever not make sense?" The third through fifth grade classes will be participating in the state wide kite festival later this week. Enrichment students had the opportunity today to design and build a kite that they can also fly.

4th Grade - Today's vocabulary word was Sublime which means something that is impressive and puts one in awe. Abraham Lincoln, our explorer, grew a beard at the suggestion of an 11 year old girl during the presidential election of 1860. Students had to solve a What in the World puzzle for the warm up activity. The affective lesson had students taking a learning styles inventory that we will use in another lesson next week. Finally, students presented their prezis about hydro thermal vents.

2nd Grade - This group continued developing their Evaluative Thinking skills by looking at the positive and negative outcomes of decisions.

Tuesday, May 2, 2017

4th Grade - Today's vocabulary word was Sublime which means something that is impressive and puts one in awe. Abraham Lincoln, our explorer, grew a beard at the suggestion of an 11 year old girl during the presidential election of 1860. Students had to solve a What in the World puzzle for the warm up activity. The affective lesson had students taking a learning styles inventory that we will use in another lesson next week. Finally, students presented their prezis about hydro thermal vents and finished their healthy menus.

2nd Grade - After listening to No, David by David Shannon and David Gets in Trouble by David Shannon, there was a short discussion about David's choices and how he could have acted instead. Students then thought of a mistake they made and wrote a friendly letter to apologize for the mistake along with how they could make the mistake better.

Monday, May 1, 2017

5th Grade - The vocabulary word for today was Kibitzer which means an onlooker who offers advice. Johannes Gutenberg, today's explorer and inventor of the printing press, did not make any money with his invention. In fact, he lost possession of his press when he could not pay back the loan he received to make it. Students had to figure out the 9 close up items of the What in the World puzzle for the warm up activity. Today's affective lesson focused on the question, "Can something logical ever not make sense?" The third through fifth grade classes will be participating in the state wide kite festival later this week. Enrichment students had the opportunity today to design and build a kite that they can also fly.

2nd Grade - We welcomed several new students to class today. The vocabulary word was Peasant which means a poor farmer or farm worker who has low social status. Today's explorer was Nancy Hart who stole a horse from a northern colonel to escape from jail for being a southern spy. Students worked together to solve the 9 close up items of the What in the World puzzle for the warm up activity.

Thursday, April 27, 2017

5th Grade - The Wednesday morning and Friday afternoon fifth grade groups met today. We learned that Trenchant means incisive, forceful. The explorer was George Crum who became angry at a customer for not liking the way he sliced potatoes. Mr. Crum sliced the potatoes paper thin, fried them to a crisp, then sent to them to the customer thus inventing potato chips. Students worked together to complete a logic elimination puzzle for the warm up activity. The affective lesson focused around the philosophy question, "I am lying. True or False?" Students then finished products regarding hunger in America and then started researching a topic of their own choosing.

2nd Grade - These students learned that making and keeping friends may help them reduce stress.

Wednesday, April 26, 2017

1st Grade - This group of students learned that Mary Harris Jones, in 1903, led a group of injured children on a 100 mile march to make people aware of the trouble with child labor. Together they solved a logic elimination puzzle for the warm up activity. In Crystal Pond Woods, students continued scientific thinking by looking at some unusual creatures and sorting them into groups.

5th Grade - The fifth graders were taking their sixth grade math placement test. Class was postponed until tomorrow.

4th Grade - Dr. Rains was attending a meeting and class was held yesterday.

2nd Grade - Class had to be canceled today while Dr. Rains was attending a meeting. This class will be made up tomorrow afternoon.

Tuesday, April 25, 2017

4th Grade - Due to schedule changes all 4th grade Enrichment students met today. Here are some things we learned:
First, the vocabulary word was lapse which is a temporary pause or interruption.The Corps of Discovery was today's explorers. This brave group overcame the unknown to explore the Louisiana Purchase for President Jefferson.Students worked together to solve the logic elimination puzzle for the warm up activity. Caring and using kind words was the focus of the affective lesson. Students spent the rest of class either finishing their hydro thermal vent Prezi or a healthy menu for a restaurant.

2nd Grade - This class traveled to Crystal Pond Woods where they put their evaluative thinking skills to practice. Students were to solve the problem of which backpack would be the best for them.

Monday, April 24, 2017

5th Grade - Today we learned that Trenchant means incisive, forceful. The explorer was George Crum who became angry at a customer for not liking the way he sliced potatoes. Mr. Crum sliced the potatoes paper thin, fried them to a crisp, then sent to them to the customer thus inventing potato chips. Students worked together to complete a logic elimination puzzle for the warm up activity. The affective lesson focused around the philosophy question, "I am lying. True or False?" Students then finished products regarding hunger in America and then started researching a topic of their own choosing.

2nd Grade - This class learned that Solitaire is a card game that is played by one person. Their explorer, Andrew Johnson (17th President of the United States) did not know how to write. Students worked together to solve a logic elimination puzzle for the warm up activity.

Friday, April 21, 2017

3rd Grade - The weekly vocabulary word for this class was Nobleman which means a man who is a member of the nobility. Their explorer was Louis Pasteur who preferred drawing in school to his lessons. It was while he was in college that he developed his love for science. For the warm up activity, students had to draw a specific picture according to verbal directions. In Crystal Pond Woods students began working on Evaluative thinking by first developing good criteria by which to judge the best answer for a problem.

5th Grade - These student learned that Ruminate means to meditate, muse. Their warm up activity was a Stories with Holes problem that was a challenge to solve. Today's explorer was Andre Garnerin who designed the first parachute as a method of escaping from prison. Students then had an opportunity to design an escape proof prison. The affective lesson was a discussion that centered around the question, "Do two wrongs balance out and make an action right?" Our exploration lesson had students researching hunger in America. Students will look for specific information then create a product of their own choosing by which to share the information.

2nd Grade - We continued our lessons in Evaluative thinking in Crystal Pond Woods by developing good factual criteria by which to solve a problem.

Thursday, April 20, 2017

4th Grade - The class that normally meets on Tuesday morning met today. In this class, students learned that Spry means someone who is nimble or lively. The explorer was John Glenn who was a legendary astronaut. For the affective lesson, students focused on the understanding that successful people demonstrate the principle of caring. Each student then had to write two promises they would keep to their families, friends, school and environment. The final activity had students finishing their Prezi presentations about life around hydro thermal vents.

2nd Grade - During our affective lesson today, students learned that everyone develops at different times and no one is perfect.

Wednesday, April 19, 2017

1st Grade - This class learned that Benjamin Harrison was known as the "sandwich president" because he was President between Grover Cleveland's two terms as President. These students completed a Surprise in the Middle drawing for the warm up activity. In Crystal Pond Woods, students began learning about scientific/analytical thinking where scientists have to look closely at items to study the parts of things.

5th Grade - These student learned that Ruminate means to meditate, muse. Their warm up activity was a Stories with Holes problem that was a challenge to solve. Today's explorer was Andre Garnerin who designed the first parachute as a method of escaping from prison. Students then had an opportunity to design an escape proof prison. The affective lesson was a discussion that centered around the question, "Do two wrongs balance out and make an action right?" Our exploration lesson had students researching hunger in America. Students will look for specific information then create a product of their own choosing by which to share the information.

4th Grade - In this class, students learned that Spry means someone who is nimble or lively. The explorer was John Glenn who was a legendary astronaut. For the affective lesson, students focused on the understanding that successful people demonstrate the principle of caring. Each student then had to write two promises they would keep to their families, friends, school and environment. The final activity had student exploring their nutritional habits and designing a nutritional menu for their own restaurant.

2nd Grade - The vocabulary word for this class was Century which is a period of 100 years. Their explorer was Rose Greenhow who drowned trying to save gold for the Confederates during the Civil War. For the warm up activity, students had to solve a Stories with Holes problem which was a challenge.

Tuesday, April 18, 2017

Individualized testing of students continued today causing most classes to be rescheduled later this week. Classes to resume tomorrow.

2nd Grade - This class was able to meet this afternoon. We had started Evaluative Thinking in Crystal Pond Woods a few weeks ago and were able to finish that lesson today.

Monday, April 17, 2017

There are still several students who need to take the state achievement tests. Hopefully our regular Enrichment schedule will resume tomorrow.

Friday, April 14, 2017

State testing continued today. Classes were canceled today.

Thursday, April 13, 2017

State testing continued however there were no schedule changes today.

Wednesday, April 12, 2017

State testing continued today causing classes to be canceled.

Tuesday, April 11, 2017

Due to state testing, classes were canceled today.

Monday, April 10, 2017

Due to state testing, classes were canceled today.

Friday, April 7, 2017

3rd Grade - Due to state testing, this class was canceled today.

5th Grade - Today we learned that Vociferous means loud and vehement. Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite was a man of peace. When he died he set up the Nobel Prize for the person who demonstrated the most to bring about world peace each year. Students listened and followed directions to complete the Surprise in the Middle drawing that was the warm up activity. The affective lesson focused on the philosophical question, "If many people believe that something is true, is it true?" Our exploration lessons moved us out of the ocean to exploring our nutritional habits. Students had to create a healthy menu based on the FDA guidelines for a healthy meal.

2nd Grade - These students had the opportunity to discover Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius.

Thursday, April 6, 2017

Classes were canceled today due to state testing.

Wednesday, April 5, 2017

Classes were canceled today due to state testing.

Tuesday, April 4, 2017

Classes were canceled today due to state testing.

Monday, April 3, 2017

5th Grade - Due to OSTP (state achievement testing) this week the Wednesday morning group joined us today. We learned that Vociferous means loud and vehement. Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite was a man of peace. When he died he set up the Nobel Prize for the person who demonstrated the most to bring about world peace each year. Students listened and followed directions to complete the Surprise in the Middle drawing that was the warm up activity. The affective lesson focused on the philosophical question, "If many people believe that something is true, is it true?" Our exploration lessons moved us out of the ocean to exploring our nutritional habits. Students had to create a healthy menu based on the FDA guidelines for a healthy meal.

2nd Grade - This class learned that Cultured means having or showing good education, tastes, and manner. The explorer, Abraham Lincoln was not a stern father and his sons left interesting memories for the White House staff. These students listened and followed directions to complete the Surprise in the Middle drawing that was the warm up activity.

Friday, March 31, 2017

3rd Grade - These students learned that a Millennium is a period of 1,000 years. Their explorer was Bill Gates who was bored in school but developed a love for computers. Students worked together to solve the 20 questions item for the warm up activity. Our affective lesson focused on gifts from nature and was a reminder to preserve our natural gifts. In Crystal Pond Woods, students had to opportunity to use visual and convergent thinking as they developed strategies for the game Numerical Quadrominoes.

5th Grade - Today we learned that Pernicious means dangerous, deadly, Our explorer, Samuel Morse was awarded a gold medal for his art work. He was in his early forties when he began experimenting with the telegraph. For the warm up activity, students played 20 questions to identify a mysterious object. The affective lesson focused on the question, "Is it always easy to tell what causes things to happen?" A few students shared their hydro-thermal vent presentations then we began working on solving the problem of playground balls being stuck in the gym rafters.

2nd Grade - Students continued learning the evaluative thinking process. A step was added today-that of using a problem solving matrix.

Thursday, March 30, 2017

Dr. Rains was around the building today providing enrichment activities to small groups of students.

Wednesday, March 29, 2017

1st Grade - This class learned that Susan B. Anthony was a spokesperson for women's rights. Students played 20 questions for the warm up activity identifying the unusual object. In Crystal Pond Woods, students practiced inventive thinking by combining shapes with locations to think up what items could be found to match the shape.

5th Grade - Today we learned that Pernicious means dangerous, deadly, Our explorer, Samuel Morse was awarded a gold medal for his art work. He was in his early forties when he began experimenting with the telegraph. For the warm up activity, students played 20 questions to identify a mysterious object. The affective lesson focused on the question, "Is it always easy to tell what causes things to happen?" A few students shared their hydro-thermal vent presentations then we began working on solving the problem of playground balls being stuck in the gym rafters.

4th Grade - Today's vocabulary word was Demeanor which is someone's behavior toward others. Our explorer, Jackie Joyner-Kersee overcame her struggle with asthma to become an Olympic gold winner in the heptathlon. The affective lesson focused on courage. Students wrote about a time they demonstrated courage and then designed a banner or shield that displayed visually the act. The rest of our time was spent finishing our research and presentations regarding creatures near hydro-thermal vents in the ocean.

2nd Grade - Students completed visual thinking by sorting and identifying groups of shapes. We then completed developing criteria for our friends in Crystal Pond Woods who have money to spend but are looking to judge the best option.

Tuesday, March 28, 2017

4th Grade - Today's vocabulary word was Demeanor which is someone's behavior toward others. Our explorer, Jackie Joyner-Kersee overcame her struggle with asthma to become an Olympic gold winner in the heptathlon. The affective lesson focused on courage. Students wrote about a time they demonstrated courage and then designed a banner or shield that displayed visually the act. The rest of our time was spent finishing our research and presentations regarding creatures near hydro-thermal vents in the ocean.

2nd Grade - Today focused on the affective side of giftedness. The main point was that friends may help relieve stress. After listening to the book Will I Have a Friend by Miriam Cohen, students researched different forms of friendship tokens around the world.

Monday, March 27, 2017

5th Grade - Today we learned that Pernicious means dangerous, deadly, Our explorer, Samuel Morse was awarded a gold medal for his art work. He was in his early forties when he began experimenting with the telegraph. For the warm up activity, students played 20 questions to identify a mysterious object. The affective lesson focused on the question, "Is it always easy to tell what causes things to happen?" A few students shared their hydrothermal vent presentations then we began working on solving the problem of playground balls being stuck in the gym rafters.

2nd Grade - We learned today that Inference means the act or process of reaching a conclusion about something from known facts or evidence. Our explorer was Sarah Emma Edmonds who disguised herself as a man so she could join the army during the Civil War. Students played 20 Questions for the warm up activity but were unable to solve the name of the mystery object.

Friday, March 24, 2017

3rd Grade - These students learned the word Refined means free of unwanted substances. Henry Ford did not invent the automobile but he did invent a way to make cars cheaper - the assembly line. Students drew self portraits using only straight lines for the warm up activity. In the affective lesson, students listened to the story Alejandro's Gift by Richard E. Albert then wrote how they felt about giving and receiving gifts. Our weekly trip to Crystal Pond Woods found students working on Plexer puzzles or as Max the Magician called them Max's Fanciful Phrases. Our discoveries lesson started students exploring the world of archaeologists and paleontologists.

5th Grade - The vocabulary word of the day was Schlep which is slang for a stupid or clumsy person. Anton Leeuwenhoek, inventor of the microscope was the explorer today. While he is credited with inventing the microscope, he didn't share his information with anyone and it would be about 100 years before the first useful one was created. Students drew self portraits using only straight lines for the warm up activity. For the affective lessons we discussed philosophically the question, "Are impossible things ever possible?" After a few minutes to finish up their Prezis, students shared their information with the rest of the class.

2nd Grade - These students were enjoying a party for reaching their AR goals. Congratulations to them on a job well done!

Thursday, March 23, 2017

While teachers were attending meetings today, Dr. Rains was in different classrooms teaching coding skills.

Wednesday, March 22, 2017

1st Grade - This class learned that Grover Cleveland our 22nd and 24th President had a rubber jaw. Students drew pictures of themselves using only straight lines for the warm up activity. In Crystal Pond Woods students continued to develop their creative thinking skills by elaborating on small sketches. The rest of class time provided students the opportunity to develop their math skills with Prodigy.

5th Grade - The vocabulary word of the day was Schlep which is slang for a stupid or clumsy person. Anton Leeuwenhoek, inventor of the microscope was the explorer today. While he is credited with inventing the microscope, he didn't share his information with anyone and it would be about 100 years before the first useful one was created. Students drew self portraits using only straight lines for the warm up activity. For the affective lessons we discussed philosophically the question, "Are impossible things ever possible?" After a few minutes to finish up their Prezis, students shared their information with the rest of the class.

4th Grade - Our vocabulary word today was Robust which means a person who feels healthy and strong. The explorer was Robert E. Lee who had to choose whether he would stay with the Union or support his family, friends, and Virginia. The affective lesson focused on creativity. After listening to Hooray for Diffendoofer Day by Dr. Seuss, students wrote a lesson as if they were teachers at Diffendoofer school. Information regarding robots the other school built from our directions had come in just before Spring Break so we reviewed how they graded our directions. The rest of class time was spent working on researching hydro thermal vents and completing our presentations.

2nd Grade - It was time for our weekly trip to Crystal Pond Woods where we began working on Evaluative Thinking with Jordan the Judge. Today's lesson focused on developing observable, measurable, factual criteria by which to judge our options.

Tuesday, March 21, 2017

4th Grade - Our vocabulary word for the day was Robust which means a person who feels healthy and strong. The explorer was Robert E. Lee who had to choose whether he would stay with the Union or support his family, friends, and Virginia. The affective lesson focused on creativity. After listening to Hooray for Diffendoofer Day by Dr. Seuss, students wrote a lesson as if they were teachers at Diffendoofer school. Information regarding robots the other school built from our directions had come in just before Spring Break so we reviewed how they graded our directions. The rest of class time was spent working on researching hydro thermal vents and completing our presentations.

2nd Grade - Today's affective lesson focused on the idea that we need friends to help us relieve stress. After listening to the book Stevie by John Steptoe, students created either a flag or a flower and described what qualities about friends were important to them.

Monday, March 20, 2017

5th Grade - The vocabulary word of the day was Schlep which is slang for a stupid or clumsy person. Anton Leeuwenhoek, inventor of the microscope was the explorer today. While he is credited with inventing the microscope, he didn't share his information with anyone and it would be about 100 years before the first useful one was created. Students drew self portraits using only straight lines for the warm up activity. For the affective lessons we discussed philosophically the question, "Are impossible things ever possible?" After a few minutes to finish up their Prezis, students shared their information with the rest of the class.

2nd Grade - Their vocabulary word was Evidence which means something which shows that something else exists or is true. The explorers today were Zachary Taylor, Mallard Fillmore, Franklin Pierce, and James Buchanan. Because Zachary Taylor was a devout Christian, he would not be sworn into office on Sunday. The Vice-president couldn't be sworn in before the President so the Senate Pro Tem David Rice Atchison was President for one day officially making Zachary Taylor the 13th President, Mallard Fillmore the 14th President, Franklin Pierce the 15th President, and James Buchanan the 16th President. Students drew self portraits using only straight lines for the warm up activity.

Friday, March 10, 2017

3rd Grade - Students learned today that Preserve means to keep (something) in its original state or in good condition. The explorer, Albert Einstein failed his college entrance exams. Students worked together to solve several Plexer problems for the warm up activity. Supply and demand were the focus of the Gifts lesson. In Crystal Pond Woods, students expanded their visual and critical thinking skills by playing a game called Web Walkers. Our final activity was discovering the power of ice.

5th Grade - The vocabulary word of the day was Occlude which means obstruct/block. Percy Spencer discovered accidentally that magnetron tubes would cook food which led to the invention of the microwave. Students worked together to solve several Plexer puzzles for the warm up activity. The affective lesson focused on being aware of other people's feelings. The rest of the morning was spent finishing up Prezi presentations which we will share following Spring Break.

2nd Grade - We took our weekly trip to Crystal Pond Woods where Max the Magician had us sorting shapes into groups and labeling the groupsl

Thursday, March 9, 2017

1st Grade - Students learned today that Charlie Parkhurst, a well known California stage coach driver was really a woman. Students worked together to solve several Plexer puzzles for the warm up activity. In Crystal Pond Woods, student took some given items to create a way for Sybil the Scientist to get across a pond and Isabel the inventor a way to pick up acorns to take back to her home in the tall oak tree for winter.

5th Grade - Monday and Wednesday class were made up this morning. The vocabulary word of the day was Occlude which means obstruct/block. Percy Spencer discovered accidentally that magnetron tubes would cook food which led to the invention of the microwave. Students worked together to solve several Plexer puzzles for the warm up activity. The affective lesson focused on being aware of other people's feelings. The rest of the morning was spent finishing up Prezi presentations which we will share following Spring Break.

Wednesday, March 8, 2017

First and fifth grade classes were moved to tomorrow so students could watch the third grade music program.

4th Grade - Today students learned that an Exploit is a daring or heroic act. The explorers were Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan. Anne Sullivan helped Helen Keller overcome her disabilities as she taught her sign language. Students worked together to solve some Plexer puzzles for the warm up activity.The focus of the affective lesson was on the generalization that successful people demonstrate caring based on the book Don't Laugh At Me by Steve Seskin. The rest of class time was spent researching more facts about the hydro thermal vents and learning how to create a Prezi presentation.

2nd Grade - The affective lesson focused on the generalization that friends help us relieve stress. After listening to the story Will You Be My Friend by Eric Carle students discussed what it took to be and have good friends.

Tuesday, March 7, 2017

4th Grade - Today students learned that an Exploit is a daring or heroic act. The explorers were Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan. Anne Sullivan helped Helen Keller overcome her disabilities as she taught her sign language. Students worked together to solve some Plexer puzzles for the warm up activity.The focus of the affective lesson was on the generalization that successful people demonstrate caring based on the book Don't Laugh At Me by Steve Seskin. The rest of class time was spent researching more facts about the hydro thermal vents and learning how to create a Prezi presentation.

2nd Grade - These students learned that a Fossil is an item preserved from a past geologic age. They had two explorers: John Tyler who's nickname was His Accidency because the presidency fell to him when William Henry Harrison died of pneumonia after one month in office, the other explorer was James Knox Polk who was put on the Democratic ticket because they couldn't come to a consensus. These students worked together to solve several Plexer puzzles for the warm up activity.

Monday, March 6, 2017

Due to illness, Dr. Rains had to cancel classes today. We will try to make them up later this week.

Friday, March 3, 2017

3rd Grade - Class was a little shorter this week so students could participate in our annual book parade. Our first procedure was to learn a new vocabulary word - Shard which means a sharp piece of something (such as glass or pottery). The explorer was Thomas Edison who despite little formal training went on to invent many useful items. Students were given 50 toothpicks and a cube of clay from which they had to make a cantilever structure within 10 minutes for the warm up activity. The affective lesson focused on the different types of collectibles people gather.

5th Grade - Today's learning began with the vocabulary word Spurious which means false, counterfeit. The explorer today was Elijah McCoy the inventor of "The Real McCoy" which was a way to lubricate parts of a train while the train was moving. For the warm up activity, students were to create a cantilever structure that would reach out as far as possible from a point on the table. The affective lesson focused on helping students develop a list of things that were important to them which would help determine their personal belief system. The rest of class time was spent finishing research on an item that related to hydro thermal vents and then creating a Prezi presentation.

2nd Grade - Today's lesson was on paleontology and digging dinosaur bones. Students had the opportunity to simulate a "dig" by digging into a chocolate chip cookie.

Thursday, March 2, 2017

Dr. Rains was around the building teaching computer skills to classes while classroom teachers attended meetings.

Wednesday, March 1, 2017

1st Grade - This class learned that Presidents Chester Arthur and Calvin Coolidge were not the hardest working of the Presidents. Students were given 50 toothpicks and an inch cube of clay from which they had to build a cantilever structure in 10 minutes. The final activity was to demonstrate creativity using given shapes or requirements.

5th Grade - Today's learning began with the vocabulary word Spurious which means false, counterfeit. The explorer today was Elijah McCoy the inventor of "The Real McCoy" which was a way to lubricate parts of a train while the train was moving. For the warm up activity, students were to create a cantilever structure that would reach out as far as possible from a point on the table. The affective lesson focused on helping students develop a list of things that were important to them which would help determine their personal belief system. The rest of class time was spent finishing research on an item that related to hydro thermal vents and then creating a Prezi presentation.

4th Grade - These students learned the vocabulary word Instill which means to put a feeling or idea into someone's mind slowly. The explorer, Thomas Jefferson was inspired by his teachers to learn as much as he could about everything. For the warm up activity, students were to create a cantilever structure that would reach out as far as possible from a point on the table. The affective lesson focused on task commitment. Students had to create a certain design from Styrofoam and toothpicks in five minutes. The rest of class was spent learning about formations and creatures that are around hydro-thermal vents deep in the ocean.

2nd Grade - We finished our letter to Alexander about ways to deal with his anger. In Crystal Pond Woods, Max the Magician brought out the old paper Dot Game but with a different twist.

Tuesday, February 28, 2017

4th Grade - Learning today began with the vocabulary word Instill which means to put a feeling or idea into someone's mind slowly. The explorer, Thomas Jefferson was inspired by his teachers to learn as much as he could about everything. For the warm up activity, students were to create a cantilever structure that would reach out as far as possible from a point on the table. The affective lesson focused on task commitment. Students had to create a certain design from Styrofoam and toothpicks in five minutes. The rest of class was spent learning about formations and creatures that are around hydro-thermal vents deep in the ocean.

2nd Grade - Today's lesson focused on affective thinking in particular how to deal with anger. After listening to the story Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Voirst students wrote a friendly letter with suggestions to make a day go better.

Monday, February 27, 2017

5th Grade - Today's learning began with the vocabulary word Spurious which means false, counterfeit. The explorer today was Elijah McCoy the inventor of "The Real McCoy" which was a way to lubricate parts of a train while the train was moving. For the warm up activity, students were to create a cantilever structure that would reach out as far as possible from a point on the table. The affective lesson focused on helping students develop a list of things that were important to them which would help determine their personal belief system. The rest of class time was spent finishing research on an item that related to hydro thermal vents and then creating a Prezi presentation.

2nd Grade - Today we learned that an Artifact is a simple object (such as a tool or weapon) that was made by people in the past. Elizabeth Van Lew (Crazy Bet), today's explorer was actually a Union spy ring leader during the civil war. This group also created a cantilever structure for the warm up activity.

Friday, February 24, 2017

3rd Grade - These students learned that Prehistoric means of, relating to, or existing in the time before people could write. Our explorer, Alexander Graham Bell is most remembered for inventing the telephone, but he also invented the comic book. Students worked together to solve a quotation quizzler for the warm up activity. The affective lesson focused on the generalization that there are many types of gifts. In Crystal Pond Woods, students finished the visual analogies they started last week. The discovery lesson explored the word Serendipity which is a discovery by accident. We had a few minutes left in class to get a preview of glaciers - our next discovery.

5th Grade - Students from the Monday class joined us today. We began our learning with the vocabulary word Sojourn which means a short sty, brief residence. The explorer was Guglielmo Marconi who studied physics so much that he failed his college entrance exams. He continued to learn on his own and invented the radio. Our affective lesson focused on making promises to ourselves now so that when we are faced with a "sticky" situation we will be prepared. After a quick review of continental drift and plate tectonics, our lessons moved to the ocean floor where we started research projects around the Mid Atlantic continental ridge.

2nd Grade - We completed our reader's theater about dinosaurs then started researching dinosaur hunters.

Thursday, February 23, 2017

Dr. Rains had the opportunity to provide enrichment activities to small groups of students around the building today.

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

1st Grade - These students learned that the deaths of Presidents James Garfield and William McKinley were hastened by their doctors. Students worked together and solved a quotation quizzler puzzle for the warm up activity. In Crystal Pond Woods we began learning about inventor thinking where there are lots of answers. Today we started putting together our "brainfocals" to help us with brainstorming.

5th Grade - Students from the Monday class joined us today. We began our learning with the vocabulary word Sojourn which means a short sty, brief residence. The explorer was Guglielmo Marconi who studied physics so much that he failed his college entrance exams. He continued to learn on his own and invented the radio. Our affective lesson focused on making promises to ourselves now so that when we are faced with a "sticky" situation we will be prepared. After a quick review of continental drift and plate tectonics, our lessons moved to the ocean floor where we started research projects around the Mid Atlantic continental ridge.

4th Grade - These students learned that Plausible is something that seems reasonably true but may not be. Our explorer for the day was Langston Hughes who was part of the Harlem Renaissance movement during the Great Depression. We worked together to solve a Quotation Quizzler or dropquote.com for the warm up activity. The affective lesson focused on the generalization that successful people demonstrate creativity. Students were given a sack of materials and had to make an animal them write a story about the animal. After reviewing the movement of the earth's crust from last week, our exploration lessons will take us to be ocean floor next week.

2nd Grade - Today's affective lesson focused on our different emotions. We also finished some dinosaur math that was started last week.