A Little Outrage Can Be an Interesting Motivator!

I'm sorry this was so slow in coming to you!  I've been living the "mom of a teenager the week before the high school play."  I think I did better when they were little, but we are having fun!


We started our day by working on our math problem solving skills.  The students completed their first full page "Squiggle" as a part of our creative problem solving.  As they combine the squiggle marks to create a single, cohesive picture, they learn the necessity of taking their time, being flexible in their thinking and to be elaborative in their projects.

Next the students were introduced to Density Dan, our new Quirkle.  We learned that another way to say something is "dense" is to say that it is "heavy."

We made a simple hydrometer with a straw and a ball of clay.  The students predicted which liquid they believed to be heaviest; salt water or fresh water and then we tested to find out.  Ask you child to tell you about their observations and conclusion.

Our day ended with more than a little outrage.  I asked Mrs. Webb to hang the students' "Squiggle" designs up on the bulletin board along with a name tag at the base of their illustration-- but I asked her to mix up the names and papers and to be sure none of the names matched with he appropriate student work.  It took a little while or them to notice, but when they did, they let me know- in no uncertain terms, that a grave error had been made and they didn't like having someone else's name on their own work.

After leading the conversation in a few circles, I pointed out that I believe this must be how authors, illustrators and photographers feel when someone takes their ideas, designs or photographs and uses them in their projects without giving them proper credit by citing sources.  "Plagiarism" is an academic vocabulary word for our second grade SAGE students. I think the students gained an understanding of the importance of crediting our sources.

Have a good week!