We had such a busy 3 days back this week! Students were eager to get back into our read aloud and excited to realize that we are just about done with our deep study of character unit. In two weeks, students will be wrapping up their books (if they aren't done already) and will begin working on a project in the Maker Space. Students will create a symbol from their books using the laser cutter, 3-D printer, or the cricut. They will then explain their symbol in writing and share with the class!
One of my goals for my students is to ensure that they remember how invaluable their education is. The day we got back from break, I was sure to take time out the day to remind our students of this as they go into their FINAL trimester of elementary school. We read Counting the Stars: The Story of Katherine Johnson, NASA Mathematician by Lesa Cline-Ransom. Katherine Johnson was inspirational as she defied all odds as a black woman by becoming an essential part of NASA's team 1950s, right in the middle of the Civil Rights Movement. She used her math skills to help launch John Glenn into his orbit around the Earth. Katherine Johnson passed away at 101 on February 24, 2020. The kids were AMAZED at the determination of Katherine Johnson and were quick to think about why math is important to them. We created a bulletin board with students completing the sentence, "With math I can..."
We were all inspired and ready to dive into the rest of our dividing fractions unit! Here are some examples of the models students are making to help them understand division:
We also started our next science unit about Earth and Human Activity. Students will be learning about weathering and erosion and how it specifically impacts the Cape Cod coastline. We began by conducting a lab using salt and colored sidewalk chalk to investigate the impacts of weathering. To investigate weathering, students shook the bag for 4 minutes. After those 4 minutes students could see how the surface of the chalk changed and they could see how the color from the chalk is not the color of the salt, proving that the force of the salt broke down the chalk. Students used their understanding of weathering and their evidence from the lab to make a claim, back it up with evidence, and then explain how the two connect.
Next week, we will perform a lab to investigate erosion. Ultimately, students will understand the differences between weathering and erosion so that they can look at the bigger picture: weathering and erosion impact how we live our lives, especially in a coastal community.
One of my goals for my students is to ensure that they remember how invaluable their education is. The day we got back from break, I was sure to take time out the day to remind our students of this as they go into their FINAL trimester of elementary school. We read Counting the Stars: The Story of Katherine Johnson, NASA Mathematician by Lesa Cline-Ransom. Katherine Johnson was inspirational as she defied all odds as a black woman by becoming an essential part of NASA's team 1950s, right in the middle of the Civil Rights Movement. She used her math skills to help launch John Glenn into his orbit around the Earth. Katherine Johnson passed away at 101 on February 24, 2020. The kids were AMAZED at the determination of Katherine Johnson and were quick to think about why math is important to them. We created a bulletin board with students completing the sentence, "With math I can..."We were all inspired and ready to dive into the rest of our dividing fractions unit! Here are some examples of the models students are making to help them understand division:
Next week, we will perform a lab to investigate erosion. Ultimately, students will understand the differences between weathering and erosion so that they can look at the bigger picture: weathering and erosion impact how we live our lives, especially in a coastal community.
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