2nd Grade: Bridges

The second graders have been studying structures and strong shapes that make sturdy structures.  The kids used bridges to see shapes in action.  They each chose a bridge to research and created a Thinglink to share their knowledge.  They are using their new understanding about bridges to build their own bridge with materials around our room.  Be on the look out for images and videos of our cool bridges.

5th Grade: Utopias

In 5th grade as we consider what our responsibility is to the world. In order to have a better understanding of our responsibilities and ways we can make an impact we need to think about problems  impacting the world. This is the only way to  how we can impact change and where we should focus.

We went on QR hunt and recorded lyrics to the song World by Five for Fighting.  The 5th graders organized the lyrics in a way that made sense to them.  As a group they shared what they thought the song was talking about.  The kids then broke the lyrics down further, individually, as they listened to the song. Students brainstormed changes that might make a positive difference in a variety of areas: economy, Education, Government, and Basic Needs. The kids recorded their own thoughts in their notebook when after our chalk talk.

The 5th graders also grouped up to consider which of the problems brainstormed were within our circle of control and which were not.

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We looked at two quotes to help us understand our role in attempting to make a change in the world.

“In dreams begin responsibility.”

-W.B. Yates

“If you take responsibility for yourself you will develop a hunger to accomplish your dreams.”

-Les Brown

To help us see how dreams, responsibility and impacting the world tied together, we looked at the definition of RESPONSIBILITY and DREAMS.  The kids created an object with origami and they had to force fit their item to connect to both definitions.

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1st Grade: SCAMPER

In first grade we have been learning about a great tool called, S.C.A.M.P.E.R.  This is a tool used by inventors and innovators around the world.  The first graders are learning that any one is capable of being both an innovator and an inventor.  

S-Substitute

C-Combine

A-Add

M-Maximize/Minify

P-Put to Another Use

E-Eliminate

R-Rearrange.

Each day we have looked at a different everyday item, spun our SCAMPER wheel and then made a change to that item.  We have SCAMPERed bikes, rulers, and kites.  I love seeing the kids’ creativity and ideas expand.

3rd Grade: Mystery Person

The 3rd graders had to put their detective hats on.  They were given a series of clues and had to record things that they thought they knew to be true about the mystery person, as well as things they might look up to help reveal who the mystery person was.  

After going through all the clues, each team was given an iPad to use to research their clues. Once they discovered who the mystery person they had to chose 4 of the clues and find a specific connection between the clue and their suspect.  

Finally, the 3rd graders penned a letter to their Captain to share how they KNEW for certain who the mystery person was. Enjoy. 








3rd Grade: Air Cars

This year the 3rd Graders will focus on what it means to Become a Thinker.  The goal is for the kids to learn to be strong systems thinkers.  First things first, they needed to be sure they understood the Big Ideas of Systems before transitioning into systems thinking.

To do that, the 3rd graders were asked to go through the Engineering process as they designed, built, tested, modified, and tested a Puff Car. 



We then connected each of the Big Ideas to our Puff Cars design, reinforcing the difference between a heap and a system.

3rd Grade: Taking Risks

“Whether you believe you can do a thing or not, you are right.”

-Henry Ford

The 3rd graders researched Henry Ford to discover how he connected to the Famous Failures we researched previously and to see how he connected to Growth Mindset.

They started with a quote quizzler, which revealed the quote above.  The kids all thought the quote was from one of the Famous Failures that we had already researched, but then I introduced Henry Ford. The kids read about him and added their thoughts to a Padlet.

The kids and I discussed that one pattern that emerged in our study of all of these amazing people is their willingness to take a risk in life.  We talked about how scary it can be to take risks, but that they can also lead to an amazing pay out.  The 3rd graders created similes for taking risks.

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3rd Grade: Famous Failures Part 2

After researching and discovering that many people in our world known for great success also experienced great failure, the 3rd graders chose one of people they researched and considered what they might say about success and failure.

The kids wrote a quote in the voice of their person.  They then researched an actual quote by that same individual and compared the two versions.

The 3rd graders used Chatterkid and iMovie to put both quotes together.









5th Grade: #Responsibility

The 5th graders participated in a QR Hunt where they had the opportunity to learn about some Young Leaders taking responsibility for the world around them.  Some of the kids were making a big impact across the globe, others were impacting their immediate community.  After the kids read about these amazing kids we discussed patterns that emerged as they researched.  The 5th graders agreed that most of the kids saw a problem impacting their world and chose to DO something about it.  We looked at the word RESPONSibility and saw response in it.  The kids we read about saw a need and decided to respond.  So, the 5th graders again looked at our essential question, “What is our responsibility to the world around us?”  It was fun to see them start to see that they have the power to make a positive change.

The kids created a PicCollage with hashtags connected to responsibility and them.

Molly Journal Responsability

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5th Grade: Defining Responsibility

In 5th grade our essential question is:

What is my responsibility to the world around me?

I wanted the kids to think about what the word responsibility means to them in this moment of time.  They had to think about ways and times they have to be responsible. Most of the kids thought about responsibility in terms of things we HAVE to do, chores, tasks, work assigned, etc.  Hopefully as we move through the year their understanding of responsibility (and mine too 🙂 ) will change.

After thinking about the the definition of responsibility we read a great short story by Langston Hughes, Thank You, Ma’am.  We looked at Mrs. Jones and what her responsibility was to Roger, a young boy who tried to steal from her.  We had a great Socratic Dialogue and some of the kids definition of responsibility started to deepen.

 

4th Grade: Begin with the End in Mind

As we continue our journey in the world of Leader In Me, I see the value in Habit 3: Begin with the End in Mind.  We all need to have a focus, know what we are working towards, to have a goal, otherwise all our work is for naught.  I want the kids to think about why they come to GT, the purpose, so I had the 4th graders create a Mission Statement for GT:

IN GT, we are here to OPEN OUR MINDS and STRETCH OUR BRAINS by making mistakes, asking questions, and collaborating.

As GT learners, we will make new friends through interacting and synergizing, allowing us to feel safe to make errors.

By persevering, improvising, and doing things in different ways, we will DEVELOP OUR TALENTS, which will grow our brains.

We will CHALLENGE ourselves by ZOOMING PAST OUR LIMITS, creating new limits and goals.

We will have FUN as we excel as LEARNERS and LEADERS.

I asked the children to think more personally: What did they hope to gain after a year in GT?  Why spend your Wednesdays with me?  How do you want to be different in June.  The kids used Photofy to share the END they expect and hope for.

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