GREAT THINKING THURSDAY
For Klein ISD Educators of Gifted
February 7, 2019
Brill Elementary: The Brain on Skype!
By Wilma Mysak
GT Advocate & 4th Grade Teacher
Brill Elementary
Is that a human brain your holding?
That was the question asked to Drexel University Professor Ramesh Raghupathi. Professor Raghupathi is a part of the Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy at the College of Medicine. His expertise is the spinal cord and concussions!
Brill’s 4th grade Advance Math class received the opportunity to skype with this scientist. He greeted the students and told them to wait a minute as he had a surprise. What could surprise 4th graders? On went the purple latex gloves and he reached down into a container pulling a real HUMAN BRAIN! The room was filled with oh no’s and wows!
Such began our introduction about the brain parts and functions while holding the brain! The engagement was amazing including this teacher. Students submitted 16 inquisitive questions before the skype session. Here are a few:
- Does the brain have something to with dreaming and why?
- When you have a concussion do you lose memories?
- What does your brain do when you have a concussion or how your spinal cord responds?
- When you get a concussion you see stars but why do you see stars?
- What is the average size brain?
The questions did not end with the prepared questions. Students continued to asked before I realized an hour had already passed! I had two pages of notes as the knowledge was astonishing. “Your eyes are like a camera that can create a memory. Memory is stored so while sleeping, your brain processes a dream which is basically a memory!"
A student’s reflection talked about the size of the brain and one might have one side bigger. He noted my brain is bigger on one side because of my math and science knowledge! I only wished!
Another reflection from Hamna: “Hoping to meet Mr. Raghupathi in person because he is brilliant!” She continued wanting to share this experience with her parents as not every day you get to learn these extraordinary facts.
My reflection was back to me as a ten year old and never imagining, seeing, and communicating with a professor holding a human brain! Klein ISD through the availability of technology has provided a promise for a purposeful learning experience.
Yes, that is a human brain and I hope to fill yours with a purpose!
Research Expo: March 5 and 6!
Celebrating Black History
From the Smithsonian Museum: Black Heritage Stamp Series
Have students consider what it means to be a leader.
Give each student or group an African-American to research and present on.
What obstacles did their leader face?
What did the leader contribute to their culture, society, and their country?
Option 1: Challenge students to improve their classroom, school, or neighborhood; identify a problem, create a plan, and put the plan into action.
Option 2: Have students design a stamp commemorating the accomplishment of a personal hero or their future self; describe what makes them "stamp-worthy."
5 Citizenship Themes to consider: honesty, compassion, respect, responsibility, courage
CommonLit: Passages Celebrating African Americans
Resource:
by Koye Oyedeji
African Americans are an integral part of our nation’s history and literary traditions. It always surprised me when high school students in my African American literature course had never heard of Toni Morrison and James Baldwin. That’s why I believe that whether we teach elementary reading or high school civics, we need to prepare students for a diverse world with diverse readings in all classes.
To help you get started, we’ve chosen some of our favorite CommonLit reading passages featuring African American heroes and authors that you can implement in your classroom as wonderful additions to your curriculum.
Poetry Means the World to Me-Grades 3-4
SAT Linked Lessons: Feb 11-15 : Reading, Writing and Math
February 11-February 15
Math Lesson 5- Feb 11
Math Lesson 6- Feb 12
Math Lesson 7- Feb 13
Math Lesson 8- Feb 14
Math Lesson 9- Feb 15 han Academy Practice
Writing Lesson 5- Feb 11
Writing Lesson 6- Feb 12
Writing Lesson 7- Feb 13
Writing Lesson 8- Feb 14
Essay Lesson 9: KhanAcademy Practice Day- Feb 15