Notes from the Learning Lab
Recapping the Spring
Book Clubs Excite Readers
Readers have been excited to choose their own books and work with a reading partner or group (reading the same book) to mark up the text and be prepared to talk about what they're thinking and noticing. Our goal is to be authentic readers, but what does that mean? Being an authentic reader and a prepared, actively thinking book club member has been a conversation buzzing around the readers' workshop over the past few weeks.
Marking Up the Text
Using Chatterpix to Respond About Characters
Ungifted
Wylen and Adrian
Chronicles of the Red King
Luke and Jakub
Cinder
Lydia and Grace
Mason, James, and Payton using Chatterpix to show Hugo Cabret's thinking.
Book Partnership Talk
Book Interviews with Adrian
Adrian Interviews Emily
Jason Sure Knows How to Mark Up a Text!
Jordan and Chandler Write About Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper- Readers Demonstrate How to Discuss in a Group
Read Alouds- Double the Thinking, Double the Fun- Historical and Fantasy
Writers Write Fiction
A Fan Favorite
Kids love to write fiction, so we're ending the year creating either a fantasy or historical fiction story. In this study of writing, we will focus on planning using a story board and even turning in a story proposal for approval from the editors (teachers). We've been so impressed and excited to hear the story starts shared already. We have some seriously talented writers on our hands.
A Fantasy Read Aloud We Study As Writers
Adrian's Writing
Writers Share Their Starts on Fiction
Writing Talk
Math Workshop
Keep Moving Forward
Kimmel (5th grade)- Students moved from finding volume of three dimensional shapes using a formula straight into algebra. Algebra is a challenging concept and students worked through transitioning from a pan balance problem to solving expressions and equations. It's a big step and it was impressive how many students didn't give up when it got difficult. Part of growing is working through something that is hard or that failed.
Jones (6th grade)- Our class completed a unit on Probability where they learned about calculating the percentages of probability to draw cards, spin spinners, flip coins, draw and pull marbles of various colors from a bag. They learned to draw and use tree diagrams and how to read and interpret math Venn Diagrams as well. We then transitioned into learning about rates, ratios, and proportions, which will continue over the next few weeks.
Clash of Royale- Math Race
QR Math Scavenger Hunt
by Pittman
Math Plinko
Karlie and Paige's Jeopardy game with a twist
Math Jeopardy
Jeopardy first, then Plinko for prizes
Math Partnership
Card Ratios
Wrath of the Gods Tutorial
Math Amazing Race Finals
Biology Comes to Life in the Lab
Ecosystems, Niches, Dissection, Oh My!
It has been nice to see and hear the excitement building about life science. Students painted their own ecosystems while learning about the difference between a habitat and an ecosystem. They labeled parts of the Ecosystem (biosphere, atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere). Students also learned about niches (roles an organism has in the ecosystem), qualitative and quantitative observations, and made investigative barn owl observations by researching and dissecting owl pellets.
Collaboration on Design
Maci and Emily work together on a crayon resist.
Students Choose Mediums
Mr. Kimmel teaches Nora how to use water colored pencils.
Water Color Work
Nick, Mak, Karlie
Emily Creates Two Ecosystems
Oh Deer!
Oh Deer!
Owl Pellet Dissection
Owl Pellet Dissection
Owl Dissection and Fun
States and Capitals Fun
Part of 5th grade is learning about the US states and capitals. Students have been studying them using rhymes, stories, making flashcards and playing quiz-type games. We have broken down the regions and students study and practice every morning. There is a quiz over each region each Friday.