GT Update
May 8-12, 2017
Kinder
We continued our communication theme this week, focusing on communication through art and music. First, students looked at different pieces of art and decided which emotion the artist was communicating: joy, sadness, love, or fear. Then we played various musical compositions, listening to the different ways composers used the instruments to communicate. A few of the musical pieces were The Flight of the Bumblebees, An American in Paris, and The Carnival of Animals. We wrapped up our time together by painting, using the music as inspiration.
1st Grade
This week, my first graders used Google Slides to create a presentation about the Australian animal they researched last week. For some, this was the first time logging on to the their Google account. (They use the same username as iStation, but add "@stu.neisd.net". Their password is their student ID number.) They learned how to create a slideshow using Google Slides. Some were so excited, they want to continue working on it at home. I told them they need to get permission first, since it is on the internet. They will finish working on their slideshow next week, and will then present their information to the class.
2nd and 3rd Grade
We didn't get to meet because of STAAR testing.
4th Grade
We had less than two hours together because of STAAR testing. We spent that time practicing Macbeth and deciding which props they want to use for the play. They had many suggestions, and quite a few students volunteered to bring items next week. We will use the newspapers and paint to create the props that are still needed.
5th Grade
Fifth grade was the lucky group this week, and did not have their time cut short due to STAAR. We began the day with a "chalk talk" reflecting on statements based on the two novels they read this year, The Giver and The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. Once everyone had a chance to write down their thoughts and/or connections to the statements, we then hung the posters in the hall and they took time to read each other's comments. We wrapped up the lesson by having a socratic discussion.
They then worked on another lesson of Hands on Equations, and were introduced to an activity we will be working on during our last two days together. They will be creating a Personal Mandala based on their personal autobiographical philosophical reflection. For homework, they are to brainstorm about who they are- their past, present and future selves, their goals, influential people in their lives, their talents, etc. We will begin creating the mandalas next week, and I have posted information about it on Google Classroom.