Thursday, September 20, 2018

Word Detectives

 We have become word detectives this week as students looked for multiple ways to study words. Even hard unknown words hold clues through their prefixes and affixes.  This week 4th and 5th grade are using this knowledge to scientifically name their own creations from lab experiments gone wrong to strange newly discovered animals.
Students determined this hard word was the study of secret animals.

What is related to graph?



They turned these word discussions into their own creations. 4th grade created and named a science lab experiment gone wrong and 5th grade discovered and named their own dinosaurs.
The sherbet and taco eating dinosaur
Magnumcrintitus dinosourum  quadsimilia palicia et habet sorditaeetiuts rubrumethabet nonextincti et consumit cibem
I hope I got that all right.  They were very happy it was so long!

Brazilliensis A...
 
Grassilgastro Curvispiniposterio
Lava eating, spiny backed creature

Orcaderm - skinkiller
Elephant toothpaste is a potion that can burn your skin.


How can names show related animals?
Unicospi cerculamacula, pocelias unifaceraptor, and triceraraptor
The one horned dinos are related and the raptors are related differently.

Wednesday, September 5, 2018

Activate Week - Word Study

This week we are diving into words.

3rd grade is discussing the power of words and starting our word collection as we learn about resources to understand words we may not know.  We will be practicing dictionary and thesaurus skills this week to improve our learning all year.

4th grade will begin their study of Greek and Latin roots.  We learned that 90% of words 3 syllables or longer have these roots and most scientific words use them as well.  We will practice dictionary skills and building words from roots to find many related connections.

5th grade is stepping it up a notch and learning about Greek and Latin roots and the binomial nomenclature (2 named, name calling), a system that is used to scientifically name plants and animals.  They will use this naming system to invent and name their own dinosaur in the coming weeks.


Sunday, September 2, 2018

Orientation Week - What is an investigation?

What a whirlwind of a week!  We were very busy making friends and learning expectations this week.

Students were introduced to the investigation process through a variety of problem solving challenges. 

Can you build a tower with marshmallows and spaghetti
Stack cups into a pyramid using only rubber bands and string.  



Putting all the investigation vocabulary together with our first scenario - Acme shoe company wants recyclable shoes.
Our first focus questions!

Each student decides how they want to connect with the scenario and what is important to them.  These kiddos wondered how to make popular styles, if the shoes could be waterproof, would the shoes be durable and safe to wear, or even appeal to the public.  So many connections to learning from one idea.





















Students construct their theory - what they think will answer their focus question - and then test their ideas to see if it works.


Going above and beyond - excited to finish the project.


Students were so excited to continue the project beyond the time we had that they brought back their finished model the next day.  It features a popular design, waterproofing on the sole, and its own commercial, presentation ready.