This week, my 3rd graders learned all about variables, expressions, and equations. They even figured out how to work backwards using inverse operations to solve for variables. One class learned how we can use algebra to play number tricks on people. I'm excited to see if anyone figures out the math behind the number trick I did in class!
In 4th grade, we built our robots and discussed how robots have a brain and a body just like humans do. We also started to learn how the programming component works. Next week, we will get our first programming challenge: getting the robot to move straight.
The 5th graders are zooming through our lessons on turning circles of evaluation into racket code. We've been learning about functions and have been entering code into wescheme in order to see what our functions evaluate to. I'm really impressed with everyone's ability to keep up with our fast pace. By the end of this unit, we're going to turn into professional programmers!
Friday, September 25, 2015
Friday, September 18, 2015
Week of September 16-18
This week, my 3rd graders were introduced to our algebra unit through the use of number games. My 4th graders began building their LEGO robots, and my 5th graders learned how to create circles of evaluation and turn them into racket code. Even though it was a short week, we were all very busy! For hw assignments, look at grade level pages.
 |
| busy at work building robots |
 |
Thursday, September 10, 2015
Week of September 8-11
It's been amazing to finally meet with my students this week!!! We viewed a video on "grit" to gain a better understanding of what it's all about, and we started to look for words and images that represent what it means to us. Here's an image that I especially like because in order to have grit, you must have a growth mindset:
For homework, I asked my 3rd and 4th graders to continue to research the meaning of "grit" and to come prepared with words and images to add to our classroom poster. I challenged the students to come up with their own quotes and images that have special meaning to them and can motivate us throughout the year.
In 5th grade, we will be using algebra and computer programming to create our own video games. We reverse engineered a simple game called NinjaCat to see how the individual parts work using a coordinate grid. For homework, students were asked to draw a sketch of a game they are interested in creating making sure to include a player, a target, a danger, and a background.
Click here to play NinjaCat
For homework, I asked my 3rd and 4th graders to continue to research the meaning of "grit" and to come prepared with words and images to add to our classroom poster. I challenged the students to come up with their own quotes and images that have special meaning to them and can motivate us throughout the year.
In 5th grade, we will be using algebra and computer programming to create our own video games. We reverse engineered a simple game called NinjaCat to see how the individual parts work using a coordinate grid. For homework, students were asked to draw a sketch of a game they are interested in creating making sure to include a player, a target, a danger, and a background.
Click here to play NinjaCat
Monday, September 7, 2015
September 1, 2015
I can't believe it's September already! I hope everyone had a wonderful summer and that you're ready to embark on an exciting new school year. This year, we'll be talking a lot about the word "grit" - what it means and how it can help us be successful in all aspects of our lives. Check out the video to get a better understanding of what grit is all about:
Monday, June 1, 2015
Week of June 1-5
This week, the 5th graders worked on finding research for their debates. We learned to use the acronym A.R.E. (assertion, reasoning, evidence) to help organize our information. The assertion is the claim or thesis (the driving age should be raised to 18), the reasoning tells you why the claim is true (because raising the driving age will save lives by reducing accidents), and the evidence gives support to the reasons (16-year-old drivers have three times as many crashes as drivers aged 18 and 19).
HW: continue to research and create speeches for first and second speakers and t-chart for rebuttal
This week, 3a and 3b were on a field trip, so we did not get to meet. Unfortunately, Fun Day was rained out, so I was able to meet with 3c. We learned about how line breaks and white space enhance the meanings of poems and really help to create the mood and rhythm. We also read and analyzed George Ella Lyon's poem, "Where I'm From" and started brainstorming ideas to create our own poems. Click on the link below to read her poem and to see what other people have been inspired to create!
HW: continue to research and create speeches for first and second speakers and t-chart for rebuttal
In 4th grade, we presented our persuasive speeches. I was so impressed with the students' ability to speak clearly, use emotion and appropriate gestures, and use notecards instead of reading from a paper! They also did a great job of using visuals to enhance their presentations. Their presentations were lively and fun to watch- no more of those boring, text-heavy powerpoints we were used to seeing!!!
 |
| Reva persuades us that too much video game playing is bad! |
This week, 3a and 3b were on a field trip, so we did not get to meet. Unfortunately, Fun Day was rained out, so I was able to meet with 3c. We learned about how line breaks and white space enhance the meanings of poems and really help to create the mood and rhythm. We also read and analyzed George Ella Lyon's poem, "Where I'm From" and started brainstorming ideas to create our own poems. Click on the link below to read her poem and to see what other people have been inspired to create!
HW: create own "Where I'm From" poem
Tuesday, May 26, 2015
Week of May 26-29
This week, the 4th graders practiced public speaking with a fun warm-up activity. I flashed a funny photo on the screen, and they had to pretend it was from a family photo album and explain what was going on. See my personal favorite photo below! We learned that good public speakers sometimes have to fake it 'til they make it!
We also worked on our persuasive speeches, getting them ready for next week's presentations.
HW: practice speech with note cards and slides each day and remember to work on the goal you set for yourself
Laughed so hard
We also worked on our persuasive speeches, getting them ready for next week's presentations.
HW: practice speech with note cards and slides each day and remember to work on the goal you set for yourself
In 3rd grade, we explored Blackout Poetry as a means to use powerful words within a text to create a poem. I was blown away by the poems and messages my students uncovered. Check out a couple below!
Laughed so hard
No trouble
Good day
 |
An answer to the question on the test
had become more important than being right
could anyone think?
maybe they had a clue
to the answer
HW: write blackout poem
*We also did the blackout poetry lesson in Mrs. Oshinski's and Ms. D'Aronzo's second grade classes. Here are some poems from second graders!
 |
| Friendly Quiet I live in it A good quiet Friendly |
 |
| This one is hard to make out, but I love the message: Truth and gossip is not the same thing |
 |
| I wrapped my arms crying so hard I told him, It's okay. He was scared. Everything will be okay. |
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
Week of May 18-22
This week, my 5th graders blew me away with their presentations of their passion projects!!! The work they did while I was on maternity leave was truly inspiring, and I hope they continue to work on these and other passions in the future. Thanks to Ms. Maline for guiding the students on this amazing journey! I added a new page where visitors to this blog can check out the students' projects.
HW: watch debate video and answer questions; complete sheet I sent about debate topics
In 4th grade, we worked on strong intros and incorporating research into our persuasive speeches. For homework, students will complete their speeches and make slides for the presentation using preferred program (google slides, prezi, etc.). Practice speech at home and have family member use rubric to give you feedback.
The third graders learned about poetic techniques like repetition, lists, describing things in interesting/surprising ways and tried some of the techniques in their own poems.
3c also looked for the rhythm in poems and put them to music. Check out the video below:
HW: Write two poems using the techniques we discussed in class.
The third graders learned about poetic techniques like repetition, lists, describing things in interesting/surprising ways and tried some of the techniques in their own poems.
3c also looked for the rhythm in poems and put them to music. Check out the video below:
HW: Write two poems using the techniques we discussed in class.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)