It May Be Cold Outside, But It Is Burning Hot in Our Classroom!

This week the boys and girls settled into class quickly and were ready to work hard!  We started our day by meeting our newest Quirkle, Hallie Heat.  From Hallie and her friends, we learned that dark colored clothing captures the sun's heat, while light colored clothing reflects the heat.  We also learned that heat rises and cold falls.  Ask your child to share their Quirkles science log, to tell you about their hypothesis and about our experiment shown below.

After our hot and cold water experiment, we conducted two more using a candle and balloons.  You can watch them in the video below.



After recess and lunch, we worked on our individual Exploratory tasks.  The new students each chose a center, filled out their Exploratory contract and began the knowledge level task (reading and watching a video) to learn more about their center topic.  The rest of the students continued working on their projects. Ask your child about his/her current center and task.

In the computer lab, the boys and girls continued to explore Microsoft Power Point.  After getting our new students set up with a presentation, we all learned to insert a shape, resize it and move it around the slide.  The students also learned to format the shape's fill color.

Understanding the basic tools and functions of this program will transfer in the application of other Microsoft products and web based slide show applications.  Power Point is a good slide show program, but it is also great for digital story telling, book reports, posters, and even holiday cards.  Primary students soak up the functions with minimal instruction.  When my own children lost their "computer gaming privileges" for one offense or another, they would always say, "But can we still do Power Point?"

If you have Power Point available on a home computer, consider allowing your child to practice.

Another busy, but fun day!  Have a great week!

There's Not Too Much That Beats Gilbert Gas!

Wow!  This week we added two new first graders and three new kindergarten students.  They had a bit of the "deer in the headlights" look when they arrived, but to be fair, so did I!  LOL  Seriously, they are an incredibly fun class.  I loved the way the E day SAGE students welcomed and helped our newest friends!

We started our day with an activity to get to know one another better.  The students created simple drawings to share some of their interests and a little about themselves.

 

 Next we worked individually in the TOPS Math program.

We had a really fun day!  We have been waiting for the exciting arrival of our favorite Quirkle, Gilbert Gas.

Thanks to Steven Spangler Science and a Google search or two, I was able to find some exciting experiments that teach the states of matter.  We discussed the different forms water can take.  The students easily shared what they knew about the water cycle.  They knew water was a liquid and when it it frozen, it forms ice which is a solid.  They knew water evaporates when it is heated and becomes steam or water vapor, a gas.  A few students knew clouds were made of water vapor and when the clouds are too full of moisture, the gas changes to liquid in the form of rain.

I wanted to explore the states of matter with something with which they are unfamiliar.  Dry ice was perfect.  We learned dry ice is a solid and that it is the frozen form of carbon dioxide.  We discussed carbon dioxide freezes at -109 degrees Fahrenheit so we needed to protect our skin from it by using gloves or tongs to handle the ice.  The students also learned dry ice sublimates and goes from solid straight to a gas.  Check out some of our experiments in the video and slide show below.

Boys and girls, what was your favorite experiment?

Giving Our Very Best Effort

Today was a busy day, (so much so we pretty much forgot about getting any pictures.)

In the morning, the students worked at their Exploratory centers.   The newer students selected their first center, filled out their contract and started the Knowledge level task.  The rest of the students continued their individualized tasks.  

• Cadence has started a model of a firefly for the application level task.
• Kirby is learning about volcanoes by reading and watching videos.  He has begun to show his knowledge on the comprehension level worksheet.
• Jason finished a great poster today showing the results of his analysis level experiments to test which magnets are the strongest.
• Kyla is doing a beautiful job designing tissue paper in Eric Carle's style for an application level task.  Once she is done, she will make a synthesis level picture with them--inspired of course, by Eric Carle's illustrations.
• Julissa is learning about birds by watching a video and reading some books for the knowledge level task.
• Trig is working on classifying his new species of wild cat for his synthesis level task. (There is a ton of analysis going on to come up with the correct classification too!)
• Leah is conducting color experiments by mixing various combinations of colors for the synthesis level task.  (Her job is to invent, describe, name and give suggested uses for an original color.)
• Colton has made models of the three types of volcanoes.  This week he is typing up information about each to be displayed with his application level project.
• Reanna is working on learning information about butterflies for the knowledge level thinking task.

Did you get in mental images from my description???  Not nearly as fun as the photos, sorry!  I can share with you an image or two of some of the finished projects we are currently displaying.  Ask your child about how his/her project is going?

In the computer lab, the boys and girls reviewed how to locate a document in their SAGE shared drive file.  The students learned to minimize, restore down and close a file.

They also learned to open Microsoft Power Point Presentation, save it in their SAGE- shared drive file, and to insert and move a text box. We also discussed the differences and similarities between Microsoft Word and Microsoft Power Point.

Today we discussed what quality work looks like and the importance of giving our very best effort for finished projects.  I am excited to see the students beginning to complete more time intensive projects.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Learning a Crucial Life Lesson

This week we welcomed two new friends.  They are friendly and hard working and they are great additions to our class!

The past two weeks,  w e have been exploring our creativity, flexibility of thought and ability to handle stress and frustration.  To do this, we completed our first "hands-on" problem solving challenge. Using only one pair scissors, two paper clips, a 9 x 12 inch sheet of paper, two drinking straws, and three folder labels the students had to create the tallest, free standing structure possible.  

They began with five minutes to brainstorm designs for their tower on their planning form.  They were then given twenty minutes to actually construct their tower.  It is fun to see the room go completely silent as each student's brain is fully engaged in the task. The students used a variety of designs for their towers.  Some were successful, while others struggled to overcome design obstacles.  They ended the task by evaluating their designs, construction and finished structure on their hands-on planning form.

To be successful, students must be fluent, flexible thinkers.  They need a steady stream of ideas and they must be able to adapt and change direction or strategy as new problems arise.  
Our 2nd Try:

This week, the students had a chance to try the same problem a second time.  We usually do not have time to do this, but I wanted the students to recognize that they learn from their experiences and have the ability to improve with practice.  You would think they would know this and, in most situations, they do but most gifted children are not used to struggling or failing at a task.  When they face a new and very challenging problem they can't master on the first or second try, they want to quit.  They appear to only want to do tasks or activities where they are successful.  In reality, they are doubting their ability to overcome the obstacles.  They are afraid they can't or won't be successful.  They just haven't had enough experience with struggling, feeling frustrated and failing. This is where I see our children as "developmentally delayed." They are learning (hopefully) a crucial lesson other children learn between the ages of 3-5 years old.

For bright children, learning to be a "risk taker" and learning perseverance takes more than just practice.  They also need encouragement and support as they build their confidence and recognize they can find success on a task at which they once failed.  For most students, they need an opportunity to build success with increasingly more complicated challenges.  In the child's eyes, the more important the task- the more difficult it will be for him or her to accept the learning curve necessary for mastery.

The problem solving tasks we do in class develop the skills needed to solve real world problems and provide wonderful opportunities for affective conversations.  We discussed how individuals handle frustration and challenge, why some students quit and others persevere and how their classmates that struggle academically might feel each day.  For some it is the "Ah Ha!" moment that enables them to empathize with their peers and avoid hurtful bragging.  Having said that, it takes a great deal of maturity and wisdom for an individual to celebrate their academic success in a way that does not make someone else feel less and so, the conversation continues...

Next, the students were introduced to our newest Quirkle, Ellie Electricity.  Our experiment asked the students how static electricity would effect a soap bubble?  Check out your child's science log sheet to discuss his/her hypothesis. 

In the computer lab, the boys and girls were introduced to using Microsoft Word.  This week, they learned to open a new document, save it in their SAGE- shared drive file, and to format their text for size, style, color, bold, Italics and underlining.

We ended our day working in TOPS Math & The Problem Solver.

We had just enough time for a quick game of SET.  SET is a perception and spatial relations game where players must make sets of three cards.  Each "set"  must have all attributes, all the same or all different.  This is another exciting game where your age doesn't matter.  You can be 5 or 50 and compete on an equal level.

A Little Creativity, A Little Exploration & A Little Addition to Our Class

This week, we started our day with our second Creative Problem Solving exercise.  The students were given 20 minutes to complete the "squiggle" below.

In this task, students are asked to create a single, cohesive picture that includes all of the given squiggle figures and lines.  This exercise focuses on the students' flexibility and elaboration.

Flexibility is the ability to change your way of thinking about a problem or situation.  It is the ability to think of alternative ideas and to adapt to different situations  

• You are flexible in your thinking when you approach a complicated math problem you missed in a different way.
• You are flexible in your thinking when you can think of indoor games to play when your birthday swim party is rained out.

Elaboration is the process of expanding an idea by adding detail.  To elaborate, you must understand the original idea and see a way to clarify or improve it by adding specific details.  

• You are elaborating when you add to, enlarge, enrich, or expand descriptions, designs, drawings, explanations, instructions, reports or  stories. 
• You are using elaboration when you edit your stories and add more descriptive vocabulary and more details.

Next, we met our newest Quirkle scientist: Density Dan.

Ask your child to tell you about our experiment to see which solution has a greater density, fresh water or salt water?

After recess, we took some time to meet, Rosie, the newest addition to our class.  Rosie is a Chilean Rose or Rose-hair tarantula, Grammostola rose, donated to our class by the family of a former student, Samantha.  Samantha knew that in the past, I had two tarantulas as class pets.  When her  great Uncle decided to reduce his collection, she suggested we might make good caretakers for one of his tarantulas.   I'm glad she thought of us!  Rosie is definitely an exciting addition to our classes.  Ask your child to tell you a little about what he/she learned about tarantulas today.  If you or your child would like to learn more about Rosie, check out this link on tarantulas.

 










In math, the students were introduced to the strategy: Use or make a picture or diagram. We had to read the clues carefully, but we were successful using the strategy.

 Next, the students worked at their Exploratory centers.

They worked hard and had a great day!

Colorful Caroline & Strengthening Our Creativity

Last week, we read the book Scaredy Squirrel.  It may be our new favorite book!  Scaredy lived in a nut tree and felt very safe and comfortable there.  He was not very flexible and he was NOT a risk-taker! He worried about what might happen if he left the safety of his nut tree, so he had a very specific plan and an emergency kit in case disaster ever struck.  One day, a “killer bee” showed up and Scaredy’s emergency kit fell out of the tree.  As he dove for it, he discovered he was actually a flying squirrel!  He discovered that nothing bad happened to him in the “unknown.”  We related Scaredy’s anxiety to events in our own lives and drew the conclusion that “It is through our experiences that we gain courage to become a successful risk-taker.”  As a personal reflection, each student created their own mobile about a fear they overcame with support.  We explored how this would help us face future challenges and and become better risk-takers.

For more about Scaredy Squirrel, visit this website: scaredysquirrel.com

This week, we welcomed a new student to our class.  He is going to be a great addition to our group!

We started our day by revisiting the math problem solving strategy “Use Logical Reasoning.”  Today's problems were in a different format than last time.  It really required us to do some very careful reading.  After our strategy lesson, we worked individually in TOPS math.

Today, the students met our newest Quirkle, Colorful Caroline.  We learned about primary and secondary colors and had a lot of fun with our experiment.  The students

discovered black marker ink is made from a combination of several different colored inks.  Have your child tell you about their hypothesis and observations.  We also sent the materials with the students to conduct and share the experiment with you too!

Next, the students were introduced to the Components of Creativity:

• Fluency- to brainstorm many ideas
• Flexibility- to redirect and approach a problem from a new angle
• Originality- to generate unique ideas
• Elaboration- expand on ideas by adding details

They also learned/reviewed the Rules for Brainstorming: 

• Accept the unusual
• Never criticize or compliment
• Piggyback when possible
• Never stop too soon.

They individually brainstormed "things you might find in a pocket."  We judged their ideas for their fluency and originality and if they were relevant to the problem.  Have your child tell you more about their list.  They are a very creative class and had several unique ideas!  












At the end of our day, each student evaluated his/her first quarter in SAGE.  I will have your child's self evaluation along with his/her progress report to share with you at our Fall Conference.

Have a great week!

Getting to Know Botanist Bert & the Briarcliff Garden

Let me start by thanking you for attending our Fall Open House last night.  We had a great turn out and everyone seemed to enjoy and celebrate the students' efforts and work.

 

This week the boys and girls were introduced to Botanist Bert and the study of botany. We started our day by brainstorming what we already knew about plants and what we wondered about them.  We were very excited and fortunate to have Mrs. Garrett and Mrs. Poole, Briarcliff's Community Garden mentors, give us a tour of our school garden.   They answered many of our questions, shared their knowledge and expertise with us and inspired a whole new round of questions.  

Today, we learned:

• Briarcliff does three plantings a year; our spring planting in late March, our summer planting in June and our fall planting in mid to late August.
• Our garden currently has several herbs growing as well as lettuce, radishes, swiss chard, kale, sweet potatoes, celery, carrots, bush beans and beats.
• In some vegetables, we eat the root, some the stem, and some the leaves.
• Some vegetables grow slowly all summer, while lettuce and radishes grow pretty quickly in the spring.
• Some of the garden plants have really long, leafy vines that take over the garden bed.
• Briarcliff's community garden is organic.  That means they use no chemicals like fertilizers or pesticides on it.

Mrs. Garrett and Mrs. Poole also asked for our help.  They need garden markers to show everyone what each plant is that is growing in our beds.  Our K/1st grade SAGE students are creating new plant stakes to mark the fall garden.  We are glad we are able to help with the garden.

In the afternoon, the students worked on "Making an Organized List" in the Problem Solver and then continued their work in TOPS Math.  

 





 


We ended our day working at our individual Exploratory centers.  Ask your child what he/she learned about the center topic?