We had another great week in High Ability. This is the last week for the "Bullying Presentation" for the fourth graders. Some may have missed on a Monday or Wednesday this week, but we caught everyone up on what they missed and got right back to work.
Second grade math only met once this week due to a Study Trip To Sunset Hill Farm.
The LifeSkill discussed this week was Caring. I'm going to attempt doing "Random Acts of Kindness" in High Ability, but only for third and fourth grade. I've done it before when I taught third grade, yet this was in a classroom setting. It was such a wonderful thing to see and it really took off, so I just have to attempt it again! Each student has chosen a name from their LA or Math HA class. (some may have two if in both) I've given them suggestions to write a note, help them out, give them a pencil or something small . . . all done in secret. No big gifts please! It may be helpful for them to attach a small note (RAK) to let them know, so they don't try to return it when they find a brand new pencil in their desk and they know it's not theirs. We will see how it goes and see how long we'll keep it going.
A few of the quotes shared:
- When you see a person in need, don't wait for someone else to help.
- A kindness done today is the surest way to a brighter tomorrow.
- There are no unimportant jobs, no unimportant people, and no unimportant acts of kindness.
- You cannot do a kindness too soon, but you never know how soon it will be too late. (Ralph Waldo Emerson)
Fourth Grade: We started off the week with a lesson on connections and change. They listed on butcher paper things that go together then categorized their list. They really had to think to see what category they could fit under. We continue to work on this, but took time out on Tuesday to interview our special guests. We had 4 adult volunteers that each had to interview. They had a set of questions to ask and record their answers. They really enjoyed hearing the "life lessons" offered. Did you ask them who they interviewed? They will write up a paragraph from their answers.
We are still juggling many math lessons as the "Bullying Presentations" finish up. This is such a great group that they are handling this extremely well. They are all going at their own pace on different projects. Everyone finished up the "Riddle Me This" Scavenger Hunt, so all are onto figuring area. We even have some who have begun figuring the perimeter and area of paths. These are shapes that have sides or part of sides missing, so they need to problem solve in order to find the answer. This group eats up a good challenge! We also did Problem of the Day. I had hoped to get to math facts, but with the POD, RAK and all our math craziness . . . we ran out of time and believe it or not . . .I have my fourth graders for forty minutes, yet they are still mad when I tell them it's time to go, lol.
Second Grade: This group was given the task of coming up with a way to sort pairs that go together. After they cut out their pairs, they had to find common connections between them. Some sorted them into four areas and others broke them down even more. Each had different categories compared to their peers, but all made sense. It was interesting to watch them work with their partner to decide how they would categorize them . . . teamwork at its best! We will talk about how they sorted next week.
Sadly I only saw my second graders once this week due to their Study Trip to Sunset Hill Farm. We worked more on adding 2 and 3 digit numbers since having a little trouble on our Two Step Problems from last week. There was a little belly aching on how "hard" it was from a few, but they really did get the hang of it and were whipping out the answers like nothing. I let them go at their own pace, so not all were in the same spot which is great for them! We also did a round of subtraction flash cards to work on their speed plus Problem of the Day!
Third Grade: Love this little group of three. I can push their thinking and really delve into the topic with such a small group. All work well together and take whatever challenge I give them seriously to get the most out of our time together. They came up with a bunch of examples of change and non-change. Then they worked to group them together and categorize them. They were able to generate a nice list of "change generalizations" that applies to all change. Ask them about our non-change list.
They have figured out that their mystery puzzle (with a little help from Mrs. Stillman, lol) will have a Minecraft Theme. They are working at their own pace too, so some are further along than others. I'll send home what they didn't complete. It helps if they know their multiplication facts, so we will take time each week to practice these! I worked with small groups on their facts and even taught them some silly ways to remember them . . . ask them to show you!
First Grade: My great group of three had a blast making their "Coat of Connections" I shared the rubric with them up front (even though no grades are taken in HA), so they know what is expected. They got right to work creating symbols that represented them and the things they enjoy. They were also responsible for writing about what each symbol is and what it represents. We will finish up and present next week and they are excited and can't wait to take them how to show you!!!
We wrapped up our surveys and graph work by analyzing our data. I asked them several questions about their information. Then we moved onto fact families while listening and grooving to (wish I had a video of this) "We Are Family!" They did an activity of "Shake the Beans" where they had to pour out their beans. The beans were red on one side, so they then made their fact family. (4 red + 6 white= 10) It was confusing to them at first, but they caught on. I sent the beans home for them to do more practice if they wanted. We also figured out Problem of the Day and worked on their addition facts.
I really do look forward to working with your child/children each week. It is so wonderful to see their excitement for learning and to push their thinking . . . it's contagious! I hope they are having as much fun as I am!
Yours in Education,
~Mrs. Koedyker
We are still juggling many math lessons as the "Bullying Presentations" finish up. This is such a great group that they are handling this extremely well. They are all going at their own pace on different projects. Everyone finished up the "Riddle Me This" Scavenger Hunt, so all are onto figuring area. We even have some who have begun figuring the perimeter and area of paths. These are shapes that have sides or part of sides missing, so they need to problem solve in order to find the answer. This group eats up a good challenge! We also did Problem of the Day. I had hoped to get to math facts, but with the POD, RAK and all our math craziness . . . we ran out of time and believe it or not . . .I have my fourth graders for forty minutes, yet they are still mad when I tell them it's time to go, lol.
Second Grade: This group was given the task of coming up with a way to sort pairs that go together. After they cut out their pairs, they had to find common connections between them. Some sorted them into four areas and others broke them down even more. Each had different categories compared to their peers, but all made sense. It was interesting to watch them work with their partner to decide how they would categorize them . . . teamwork at its best! We will talk about how they sorted next week.
Sadly I only saw my second graders once this week due to their Study Trip to Sunset Hill Farm. We worked more on adding 2 and 3 digit numbers since having a little trouble on our Two Step Problems from last week. There was a little belly aching on how "hard" it was from a few, but they really did get the hang of it and were whipping out the answers like nothing. I let them go at their own pace, so not all were in the same spot which is great for them! We also did a round of subtraction flash cards to work on their speed plus Problem of the Day!
Third Grade: Love this little group of three. I can push their thinking and really delve into the topic with such a small group. All work well together and take whatever challenge I give them seriously to get the most out of our time together. They came up with a bunch of examples of change and non-change. Then they worked to group them together and categorize them. They were able to generate a nice list of "change generalizations" that applies to all change. Ask them about our non-change list.
They have figured out that their mystery puzzle (with a little help from Mrs. Stillman, lol) will have a Minecraft Theme. They are working at their own pace too, so some are further along than others. I'll send home what they didn't complete. It helps if they know their multiplication facts, so we will take time each week to practice these! I worked with small groups on their facts and even taught them some silly ways to remember them . . . ask them to show you!
First Grade: My great group of three had a blast making their "Coat of Connections" I shared the rubric with them up front (even though no grades are taken in HA), so they know what is expected. They got right to work creating symbols that represented them and the things they enjoy. They were also responsible for writing about what each symbol is and what it represents. We will finish up and present next week and they are excited and can't wait to take them how to show you!!!
We wrapped up our surveys and graph work by analyzing our data. I asked them several questions about their information. Then we moved onto fact families while listening and grooving to (wish I had a video of this) "We Are Family!" They did an activity of "Shake the Beans" where they had to pour out their beans. The beans were red on one side, so they then made their fact family. (4 red + 6 white= 10) It was confusing to them at first, but they caught on. I sent the beans home for them to do more practice if they wanted. We also figured out Problem of the Day and worked on their addition facts.
I really do look forward to working with your child/children each week. It is so wonderful to see their excitement for learning and to push their thinking . . . it's contagious! I hope they are having as much fun as I am!
Yours in Education,
~Mrs. Koedyker
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