Busy Two Weeks!

We have had a busy two weeks since the break.  We have jumped right back into our Unit of Inquiry, How We Organize Ourselves.  A memorable piece of learning has been developing on our programming, measuring, time keeping, data recording and addition skills, by using the Blue Bots.  The blue bot is a small programmable robot which the students have been using to programming to follow a certain predescribed track.  They have had to achieve success in their groups by collaborating--assigning tasks, and using strategies to be efficient in their programming and data measurement and recording.  One very common observation they made was that the groups which were the most collaborative, had the most success.

This week we visited the Astronomy Institute.  The students gained appreciation for the contribution that scientists from Central Asia made to the measurement of time.  They made connections between the famous Uzbek scientist, Mirzo Ulukbek's giant sun capture or ecliptic inclination tool, (or sextant) and our own sun dial we made at TIS.  The large telescope in the observatory was the highlight of the visit.  They were amazed by the shear power of the sun, and really realize how important it is not to look directly at the sun with devices, even with binoculars.  See the pictures below from of the field trip. 

In language this week they made links to our Blue Bot activity by writing reports about the tasks, and their successes. Writing in cursive, and writing texts with proper beginning, bodies and endings remain a focus.  Utilizing writing conventions such as proper punctuation, upper and lower case letters, tall and short letter size, word and line spacing, as well as spelling are daily occurrences. 

In math this week, we continued with addition and subtraction strategies.  Some 3P students are in my math group, while some are in Mr. Matt's group.  My group came up with "CABS" to help us remember how to add and subtract large numbers.  Ask your child about CABS (if they are in my math group that is...). Today we managed to play some quick addition/subtraction facts.  Next week we will begin our investigation into multiplication.

This week we finally began a dedicated time for "Passion Hour", a time dedicated to researching and becoming a resident expert.  They will present it, in much the same way, but not the pressure, as the Grade 5 exhibition.  Further information will be provided.  

Next week is our last week for How We Organize Ourselves.  It has flown by, to say the least.  The students will demonstrate their knowledge by doing their summative assessment task late next week. 

Finally, I created an account for the students of 3P for Xtra Math.  Personally, I prefer this better than IXL, as it targets the specific needs (weaknesses) of each student individually.  In this way it directs questions to them that will build on their existing knowledge, to gain more proficiency, rather than making them practice something they already know.  While we do some in class, some children can benefit from practicing math skills at home in their spare time.  There log-in information is in the inside cover of their reading record book.  They can run it from xtramath.org or they can download the app.

In the near future I would like to invite parents to come our classroom to talk informally about what learning looks like in my classroom.  More information will be forthcoming. 

I hope you have a restful weekend! 

Enjoy the pictures below.