Final Project This Week & Halloween Festivities!

Hello everyone,

Homework for tonight: (we did not get our agendas filled out today due to art clean up, so I am putting all notes here)  Tonight:

  • Please work on Tuning In which is due on October 30th, Friday.
  • Continue working on outline and begin gathering images for your Unit Project.
  • Pumpkin Patch is on Wednesday and Pumpkin Carving on Friday.
  • Please return the Halloween Committee Notice ASAP if you haven’t done so already.
  • Library Books are due in tomorrow!!
  • Anyone who wants to do the language challenge we discussed in class today can do this (it is optional.)

Unit Project: Students have selected the format of their projects to show their understandings from our first unit. As a reminder, our focus statement for the unit was Our personal choices play a role in the interconnected system of the human body. The project’s purpose is to communicate information to the community about how to have good health and prevent disease.

  • Students have chosen areas of this to focus on and have been instructed to make an outline of their project (which they did today), think about what images and/or supplies they may need, and look back at their blue binder materials to include learning from this unit.
  • If they need additional information, they are welcome to research further; however, the main purpose is to show learning we have already gained from the unit.
  • Students can work on the project at home; however, it should be their work and parents should not assist them.
  • Poster board for posters, paper for comics, construction paper, and computer access will be available at school.
  • If students do any work at home, they should save it on a USB and bring it to class. At this time, ALL COMPUTER work needs to be saved on a USB to ensure it is not lost as we change from computer to computer.
  • A rubric, which we went over together, was provided for the project.
  • Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday will have large chunks of time to work. If more time is needed after Thursday, I am flexible to extend the project; however, we are going to try to finish before Monday, November 2nd, so we can move on to Unit #2.

During Math today (which was shorter due to photo day session), we focused on reviewing math vocabulary, decimals, fractions, etc. for data analysis in preparation for a test next Monday November 2nd. This test will cover mean, median, range, mode, and some probability. We practiced today by doing probability of specific characteristics of classmates. We will continue tomorrow with more probability talk and before end of week play Let’s Make a Deal (the class version, without lots of real money. 🙂

During PE today, we did some general fitness activities including running, stretching, sprints (bloods) and our military-style jumping jacks that we do as a group. Then we did some relay games together designed by Ms. D. Afterwards, groups of students designed their own relays. We reflected together on our group work skills, as we learn how to put our ideas forth without also ignoring those of the rest of the group. Ms. DeTerra reminded everyone that the best creativity happens when we say “yes”, listen and adapt ideas, as opposed to creating a group dynamic where ideas get shut down. After some good reflection, we had open time playing on the scooters to get our energy out!

Finally, to begin decorating for our Halloween Party on Friday, Ms. DeTerra showed everyone how to make stain glass pumpkins out of black construction paper, tissue paper, and overhead transparent film. We will be hanging them in our windows to provide a great atmosphere for Friday. A reminder that students can wear costumes (Ms. DeTerra will be!) and that all snacks brought in must be peanut free. We will be watching a movie together and having snacks to celebrate.

By the way, the TedX Kids post I made previously is completely optional. I sometimes put out ideas for students to try and make them aware of all the options out there. This does not mean they have to do them, but if they want to, I will support their efforts!

Have a great night!