Notes from The Learning Lab
Let the Lab Adventures Begin...
We LOVE this Class!
Writers' Workshop
Rethinking the idea of Enemies
We learned Seesaw writing
A book that inspired us to write
using "meanwhile" to change settings from Jules Feiffer
Writers Write
Here are a few samples of how we have used our notebooks:
3 for 3- Writers take an object and use three words to describe it in a new way.
Example- Pencil- yellow eye poker, sharp idea maker
Seesaw Writing- A topic is chosen- Chocolate. The word is used in a pattern that Robert Munsch uses in his book Purple, Green and Yellow.
Is chocolate good for showers? Nooo!
Is chocolate good for building a house? Nooo!
Is chocolate a good material for a dress? Nooo!
But, chocolate is good to use for a food fight.
Meanwhile Writing- Writers used the word "meanwhile" to transport themselves to different settings.
Write from an Image- Writers were inspired by Chris VanAllsburg to create a story from an image.
Pass the Pad- Each writer starts a story and passes his or her notebook to the next writer to continue the story. The end result ends up being a unique story with several writers' voices.
There was a lot of creativity happening this week during our workshop. We can't wait to read more!
Writing from an Image
Reggie and Maddie
Ray
Breanna, Addi aka Rory, and Kate
The 4 C's- Collaboration, Creativity, Critical Thinking, Communication
Collaboration and Critical Thinking
Collaboration
Saving
Sammy
Readers' Workshop
Books We've Shared and Inspired us to Think and Try Something New
Our Main Read Aloud
A Book That Taught Us Collaboration
Inspiration for Creativity
Readers Recite the Top 10 List that Concludes Each Chapter of Our Read Aloud, How to Ruin the First Day of School
Ways We Marked Up Text
Building Community Agreements
- What is the best time to begin things?
- Who is the most important one?
- What is the right thing to do?
This book was a great starting point for creating our classroom agreements/rules.
Communication
Using Pic Collage to Catch Up on the Summer
Nonverbal Communication
Each group had to achieve a common goal including:
Who is the oldest in your group?
Line up from shortest to tallest.
Who in your group has a birthday closest to today?
Name a person in your group who models the agreements and could be a role model for younger kids.
Below, you will see examples of how students communicated to reach these common goals.
Creativity- Building a Toy Out of Found Objects
We challenged our kids to do the same. Make a toy out of found objects such as: clay, cups, google eyes, puff balls, straws, paper clips, marshmallows and more. Check out these kids and their awesome creativity! Ask your child about his or her toy.
Math Workshop
Math is Thinking
6th Grade Curriculum- This week, mathematicians focused on learning and using landmarks (mean, median, mode, maximum, minimum) with plotting data in different graphs. We used a new tool called Edpuzzle on Friday, where students interact with video while solving math problems and showing their math thinking. Students also learned and reviewed line plots, stem and leaf plots, introduced box plots. We will continue exploring graphs next week.
Parent Test- Can you solve the bridge riddle? Your child did. Play the video below and test your skill.
Math Games
Creating Line Plots with Real Data
Multiplication Practice
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Snacks
If anyone would like to donate class snacks, it would be greatly appreciated. We typically have 10-15 students who need a snack each day. Anything that would be filling for the kids would be great since we have a late lunch (1:35). They are famished by 11:00. :)
Specials- This is the only time we split into two classes. Here is your child's specials schedule for the week.
Jones
Monday- P.E.
Tuesday- Tech
Wednesday- Art
Thursday- Music
Friday- P.E.
Kimmel
Monday- Music
Tuesday- P.E.
Wednesday- Tech
Thursday- Art
Friday- Music
NWEA
The first round of testing will begin this week. NWEA breaks down each subject and area of need for every learner at every level. It's nothing to worry about and is simply a first glance at your child's thinking on these types of tests. The information we gain helps us form small groups to strengthen areas of need and identify areas to challenge.
Test Days
Wednesday- 11:00- Language Arts
Thursday- 11:00- Math