Math
The students were having a math "snowball" fight. They had to create a question based on area, volume and vocabulary for 3-D shapes. They then wadded up their question and threw their snowball around the room. The students then grabbed a snowball, answered the question, crumpled it up again, threw it and went in search of another snowball (problem).
Here the students are creating 3-D shapes from Nets. Over the next few days the students used Seesaw to group the shapes, name the shapes and explain their thinking with video, voice and text.
The students worked well in pairs as they worked around the room answering review questions about area, volume and surface area. They solved a problem on each sheet, wrote their answers and covered them up to be revealed later on to see if their answers matched their classmates.
Reading & Writing
Campfire Discussion about our novel Code Talker.
Kim Stanek came in to class and showed us traditional Navajo rugs, baskets and trinkets. She worked and lived on a Navajo reservation a while back and shared with us some of what she has learned about the Navajo people.
The students were analyzing pictures related to our novel Code Talker. They chose a picture that captured their attention and discussed why they chose to take a deeper look at that specific picture. The students were learning how to use their sight to create understanding.
I love looking back at the pictures of students interacting. Sometimes their expressions are just priceless. This one of Jordan looking at Taylor cracks me up. I would love to know what they are discussing and thinking.
The students have had a ton of fun presenting their figurative language lesson to the class. Their task was to create a lesson to teach 2 figurative language terms to their classmates and an activity for them to participate in. We have gotten through most lessons and have learned not only about figurative language but also how we learn best. The students used reflection throughout this process to think about the process of learning not just the end product.
As the weather has been more springlike we have taken advantage and gotten outside when we can. Below the students are participating in the activity inner/outer circle while discussing the novel Code Talker.
Social Studies
We have used our science time over the past few weeks to focus more on our social studies unit, The Revolutionary War.
To be perfectly honest I have no idea what the students are doing in the next few pictures. I know it social studies because it's our homeroom class but that is about it. I have tried to figure it out by looking at the sheets in their hands, but it hasn't helped. We have been reading in our textbook, reading online, watching videos and discussing the causes for the Revolutionary War. Determining the difference between a Loyalist vs. Patriot and this coming week we will be delving into the battles.
I do know what is going on in the picture below. The students were watching video clips and answering questions that I put together using the web tool Zaption. This takes them from passively watching a video to being an active participant who has to engage their minds as well as their eyes and ears. Here you can see the Liberty Kids Video on the left and the question I created on the right hand side for students to answer.
Another Virtual Field Trip
This trip took us to Guatemala and Mexico to learn about the Mayans. The students learned about the Mayan people, cities, culture and were able to participate in an online quiz with others all around the country. Our classmates had the top 5 slots. Luke will be receiving a post card from Geo Brandon soon in the mail for being the top winner and showing what he learned about the Mayans.
