Mrs. Christoff's Clues
November-January Enrichment Happenings
Grades K-2 Language Arts/Math
In the lower grade reading groups, we are focusing on creating words using word families, reviewing sight words for older students, and reading to comprehend what we read.
Some activities that we will do to incorporate these skills include:
- Reader's Theatre (Midnight at Old Truman's-a Thanksgiving themed play)
- Reader's Theatre (Tobit's Christmas-a Christmas themed play which we performed for their classmates)
- Word Ladders-activities where students change one letter to create a new word using given clues
- Monopoly Junior
- The 5 W's Game
- Logic Safari Book 2 (beginning logic problems)
Daily Word Ladders
The 5 W's Game
Logic Safari, Book 2
Grades 3-8 Language Arts/Logic
In the upper grades Language Arts/Logic groups, we have been focusing on developing logic and problem solving skills using logic matrices, solving One-Hour Mysteries (Prufrock Press) using logic matrices and deductive reasoning.
Some activities that we will do to incorporate these skills include:
- Logic Safari Book 2 (beginning logic problems) (grades 3-4)
- Jungle Journey Main Idea and Cause and Effect Board Game (grades 3-4)
- Word Ladders-activities where students change one letter to create a new word using given clues (Grade 3-4)
- Apples to Apples
- Perplexors (Mindware)
- Scattergories
- Logic Links (Mindware)
- Noodlers (Mindware)
- On the Dot
- Exploring Mrs. Christoff's Enrichment Website using the Google Tablets
- "Santa's Blackmail Mystery" (One Hour Mysteries-Prufrock Press) (Grades 5-8)
- Logic Grid Puzzles from www.puzzles.com
Logic Links
Scattergories
- The classic fast-thinking categories game
- Match categories using words that start with the same letter
- Now with more categories for extended play
- Includes 6 folders, 48 category cards, 1 answer pad, 6 pencils, 10-sided die, 6 plastic clip strips, timer, die-rolling board, and instructions
Apples to Apples
Grades 3-8 Math
We have begun preparing for the Noetic Learning Math Contest . The Noetic Learning Math Contest (NLMC) is a national math contest given by Noetic Learning. The purpose of this contest is to inspire young student’s interest in Math and convey the message ‘It is COOL to be good in Math!’ to students.
The NLMC contest will take place on Tuesday, April 12 (Grades 4, 5, 6, and 8) or Wednesday, April 13 (Grades 3 and 8). Students will be given 45 minutes to solve 20 Math problems. The top 10% of students will be rewarded and the top 50% of students will be recognized on Noetic Learning’s website.
To assist in our preparations, we are completing and discussing past problems, and will be developing and/or reviewing problem solving strategies. Examples of problem solving strategies include: Work Backwards, Guess and Check, Draw a Picture/Model, Make an Organized List/Table, Use a Formula/Logic, and Find a Pattern.
Your child should have brought home a permission slip asking whether or not his/her name could be posted on the Noetic Learning Math Contest Website. They are due February 19, 2016.
Problem Solving Task Cards
These 48 task cards provide an introduction to higher-level thinking and that keep students on task with challenging activities.
The problems require 3 critical thinking strategies – logic, patterns, and combinations. These math standards are incorporated into the problems:
Number and Operations
Algebra
Data Analysis and Probability
Process Standards
Geometry
Math Diction by Learning Resources
Engage all of their senses as they practice core math concepts. Unique multi-sensory game play encourages a variety of actions to help reinforce key math skills and content area vocabulary—making it cross–curricular! Players draw, define aloud, or act out clues to math vocabulary words that classmates must guess.
Math 24
You can add, subtract, multiply and divide. Use all four numbers on the card, but use each number only once. You do not have to use all four operations. All number nines have a red center, so you can tell a nine from a six. Can you solve the card below?
4 x 3 = 12
12 x 2 = 24
24 ÷ 1 = 24
Enrichment Program Goals and Objectives
Program Goals for Enrichment in Language Arts and Logical Thinking
Students will develop their Language Arts and Logical Thinking skills by:
- Solving logic problems and mysteries using problem solving and deductive thinking skills
- Developing higher-level thinking and strategy skills, and vocabulary: (Ex. Scattergories, Scrabble, Clue, Blokus etc.)
- Learning how to problem solve and strategize using different formats
- Learning new ways to expand their vocabulary and reading comprehension skills
Program Goals Enrichment in Mathematics
Students who excel in the area of Mathematics are given opportunities to participate in:
- Developing higher level problem-solving skills in Mathematics
- Learning how to problem solve and strategize using different formats
- Developing Math Skills and Preparing for Competitions:
- Developing Math Facts using higher level thinking skills (Ex. TriFacta, Snap It Up)
- Math 24
- Noetic Learning Math Contest
- Other Common Core Concepts (Ex. Fractions, Decimals, Geometry, Algebra)
Types of Enrichment Opportunities Offered
The type of opportunities offered could include:
- Focusing on higher level problem-solving skills in Mathematics and Reading
- Developing Math Skills and Preparing for Competitions:
- Developing Math Facts using higher level thinking skills (Ex. TriFacta, Snap It Up)
- Math 24
- Noetic Learning Math Contest
- Other Common Core Concepts (Ex. Fractions, Decimals, Geometry, Algebra)
- Solving logic problems and mysteries using problem solving and deductive thinking skills
- Playing games that develop higher-level thinking and strategy skills, math, and vocabulary: (EX. Scattergories, Scrabble, Math 24, Clue, Blokus etc.)
- Learning how to problem solve and strategize using different formats
- Learn new ways to expand their vocabulary and reading comprehension skills
- Learning about famous people who have influenced our lives
- Project Based Research Problems