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.