Happy Valentine’s Day!

“Love is the master key that opens the gates of happiness.”

-Oliver Wendell Holmes.

In 3rd grade we started with a Quote Quizzler that when solved led to the quote above.  The kids had discussed what they thought the quote meant.  It was a terrific discussion.  Each child then created an illustration to represent the quote.  They took a picture of their illustration using an app on the iPad called WordFoto.   With this app they were able to add words that describe their wonderful parents and the words are put on the forefront of their illustration.  The kids then used their Google Docs account to insert their WordFoto, as well as 3 other pictures, to express their love for mom and dad.  I hope you enjoy their work.

Bridges: Part 1

In 3rd grade we have entered the exciting and fascinating world of bridges. 2 weeks ago the kids took a pre-test to showcase their current knowledge and we have been filling the gaps ever since.

Last week the kids were introduced to the three main types of bridges: Beam, Arch, and Suspension.  Through some video clips and the Building Big website they were able to get some rudimentary information on each main category of bridge.  The kids then set off to use K’Nex to build bridges.  Each group was given a different type of bridge to focus on.  Over the next few weeks we will learn more about each type of bridge and why one is chosen over another.  They will learn about forces and how that impacts bridge building as well.  Below you can enjoy pictures of the kids in action.

Building Bridges on PhotoPeach

Punished:  We just finished our novel, Punished last week.  The kids and I have had a terrific time playing with words.  Puns, oxymorons, anagrams, and palindromes have been great fun.  This week I had the kids create a poem, story, rap, or song using at least 5 palindromes.  They all did a great job.  Here is a small taste of what they created:

Palindrome Poem

By Rylee Davis

I was walking outside in the dark, stormy sun.

I said to my mom, “Is supper almost done?”

Then mama said to me, “Yes, Hannah, darling dear.”

Then I heard a quick step right down at our pier.

I peep open the door in a subtle, quiet way.

Then I look who’s out there, it’s my dad, John Ray.

Then I gave him a big hug and mama did too.

THen we lived happily after with my brand new shoes.

3rd Grade Has Been Busy

The 3rd graders have been very busy over the past few weeks.  Enjoy a look at a very FEW things that they have been up to.

Punished by David Lubar:

We have been reading this wonderful book about a boy named Logan who finds himself in quite an unusual predicament…he can only speak in PUNS!  While his sister and principal get quite a kick out of it, you can imagine that it is causing a lot of issues with other friends, teachers, and family members.  Logan was punished by a clever guy named Professor Wordsworth.  The kids had to decide whether or not it was ethical for the professor to punish Logan.  Once the kids had made their arguments, they were forced to take the opposing view point and write a letter to Professor Wordsworth.  It was a challenge to get the kids to argue the opposing view, but they did a great job. Click on the cover of the book below and you will see all of their great letters.

Big Ideas of Systems:  The 3rd graders have been working to learn and understand the big ideas related to systems.  After discovering the difference between and heap and a system through our electrical circuit, we looked deeper into what made a system a system.  The kids took those ideas and created a movie to help showcase their understanding.  We will dive into the world of bridges next and connect back to the BIG IDEAS of systems.  I hope you enjoy their Animoto Movies.

Heap vs System

Heap: a collection of things thrown one on another. 

The 3rd graders started their morning by hunting around the room for an example of a system.  Each student had an opportunity to share their system and discuss what they believe made it a system.  I then introduced the kids to the BIG IDEAS of Systems.  They were surprised to see that each of their systems fit more than one of the BIG IDEAS.

After our pre-test on systems I gave each student a bag of items: tape, battery, light bulb, wire, and paper clip.  The children recorded their hypothesis and then went about proving whether the items they were given could become a system or a heap.  I was astounded by the kids focus and willingness to sit with ambiguity.  They had very few parameters which can be difficult.  When the students started to become frustrated and uncertain several of their classmates reminded them of the Impossible Notecard activity.  It was wonderful to see them make connections in their learning.

3-5 Parent Meeting

Thanks to all of the parents that were able to take time out of their busy schedule to make the Parent Meeting.  I love having the chance to know my students’ parents.  It was great to visit with you. 

If you were unable to attend, I am sorry that I missed you.  Please pop by to say hello any time.  I have attached a slideshare of my presentation.  Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Taking Risks

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

-Henry Ford

These are important words to live by and ones that we will hold close as the third graders navigate their way through the 3-5 GT program.  To get the students to truly understand the meaning of these words, we started with Henry Ford himself.  The kids looked at a picture that included Ford and attempted to find the genius.  It was neat to hear their reasoning as they attempted to pinpoint Henry Ford.  We watched a brief video clip and read a short biography about him.  The kids brainstormed characteristics that might describe Ford.  They came up with: creative thinker, risk taker, problem solver, brave, persistent, etc.  The kids had not yet been introduced to Ford’s quote, so it was exciting to see them come up with risk-taker.

After we spent some time learning and discovering about Ford, I posed a problem to the kids.  I gave them a 3×5 notecard.  They were to cut the card in a way that would allow it to slide over their head.  They could only use one card and a pair of scissors.  As you can imagine I heard many, “That is impossibles.”  The kids made many attempts.  They looked around at their peers for ideas.  They begged for glue, tape, and extra cards.  We discussed what would have happened if great inventors said “it’s not possible” when they were struggling with a problem.  Finally, I revealed that it was in fact possible to cut a 3×5 card in such a way that it could slide over my head and even my shoulders.  They were in awe…and busily trying to see if they could do it too.

We ended with Ford’s quote and the kids created similes for about taking risks.  Enjoy their work below.   

Taking Risks on PhotoPeach

Memory

In 3rd grade we have been studying the brain and how it works.  During our study we had some questions about memory.  Why do we remember differently from others?  Why do we forget?  Why do we remember some things forever and forget others immediately?  These were just a few of the questions that were brought up in our study.  To help the kids understand that memory is not neccessarily truth, that emotions and other things play into what we remember and how we remember we did a version of a self-portrait.  The kids were told to fold a piece of paper vertically and draw half of their face.  After completing one side of their face I had them flip their paper over and attempt to draw the other side of their face without looking back at the work they started.  The kids then created a metaphor for memory.  Below are the results.  Enjoy!

 

Welcome to the World of Grokking!

So, what is grokking you ask?  It is a verb: to understand something thoroughly and intuitively. 

I introduced the 3rd graders to a new web tool that I will be using with all of my students called Instagrok.  You can find it here.  It is essentially a way to search for information…but oh, so much cooler!  The kids can search a topic that they are interested in and they will get a wheel of related topics on the left.  On the right they will see Important Facts, WebSites, Videos, Images, and even take a QUIZ on their topic.  They can create a journal where they keep notes on the sites and the information they are learning right in the site.  As the teacher I can see every topic that the kids are searching and pinning.  WOW!  Each 3rd grader created their own account (under my teacher account) today.  Many chose to stay in for recess so that they could play around. 

All 3rd graders are supposed to spend time playing on it for homework over the next 2 weeks.  The more playing the better.  I want them to be familiar with the site so that they are ready to use it as a tool for our Zoom Research Projects.

Here is a short video demonstrating how it works:

Brain Injuries

The third graders have been hard at work learning about the brain, it’s parts and how they work.  In our study the kids have had questions such as:
  • Can you live without a brain?
  • Does your brain ever stop working?
  • What happens if you fall and hurt your head?
  • What happens if your skull breaks?
  • Can you have only part of a brain and still think?

With these questions being asked I thought we should take a look at two well-known cases involving severe brain injuries.  We started a 160 years ago with a railroad forum that was injured with a tamping iron.  This 3 foot piece of metal flew in under Phineas’ left cheek, behind his left eye and out of the top of his head damaging his frontal lobe.  We then took a look at the case of Gabrielle Giffords, the state representative who was shot in the head a couple of years ago.  Below is a look at the differences and similarities the kids found in the two cases.

We’re Brainy!

The 3rd graders had a great time exploring many different aspects of the brain through some brain centers. They were learning about the functions of the small parts of our brain, like the amygdala and hippocampus, by solving a cryptogram.  They worked on writing a script for a radio station sharing their understanding of the large parts of the brain.  The kids used 2 great sites to learn about the neuron and brain related issues.  They also had the opportunity to create their own neurons using pipe cleaners.  It was neat to see them working away.  The brain is a fascinating topic.  Enjoy the video below showcasing the kids at work.

Brain Centers on PhotoPeach

What do you wonder about the brain?  What questions do you have? 

Leave them in the comments.