Kid Blog goes Live

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After months of writing math directions, script writing, planning and filming, Kidblog is LIVE! 

The process began with the children choosing math topics to teach. From there, they had to come up with problem types of varying degrees of complexity. This led to step by step directions that would work for both the simplest and most challenging problems as well as everything in between. The next step, involved deciding on the three exact problems that would build in difficulty to use for their videos. Finally, script writing time came. The scripts were the most challenging piece with all of the rules I put into place. They could not read the directions but instead they had to sum up, give hints and shortcuts and offer time for the audience to read. Finally, the children used ExplainEverything to bring their individual lessons to life. 

In the end, the videos involved math, presenting, good choices for presentation and fluency. The children worked hard on personal and peer editing using comments and constructive criticism. I will be the first to say that these children are proud of their accomplishments and already eagerly working on their next project: Building a Budget.

Comprehension is Key

Number the Stars

Last week we started Number the Stars, a great piece of historical fiction by Lois Lowry. It's a story about a two young girls growing up in Nazi occupied Denmark. One girl is Jewish and the other is not. As the story unfolds, Annemarie is faced with the difficult question of being brave. 

To help the children familiarize themselves with the history behind the story, we broke up into groups based on random characteristics. Based on the groupings, different students were granted different or even no privileges. This led into a great conversation about this time in history. As we read chapters, we track items that are rationed, follow along on a map and keep track of new vocabulary.

Every week, the students are met with a reading inventory highlighting five vocabulary words they could add to their own writing. They read them over and decide their familiarity with the word. Extra boxes are given for other interesting words they encounter.

These words are given to them as homework. Every student writes sentences that are 10 words long living up to their personalized writing goals. The definitions are one the page and they have the direct link to these words in Quizlet. They can use Quizlet to study, take practice tests and play quiz-like games. 

Throughout the reading, the children are met with their homework words linked directly to their definitions. Highlighted sections of text signal the students to get to work. They are confronted with comprehension questions that ask for understanding, opinions and predictions to give children the real life experience of slowing down to make meaning. These questions are answered directly into this shared document for all classmates to see and discuss. Students are making great progress in higher level thinking and elaboration.

Stay tuned for our chapter reader's theaters that are already in progress!

Nate Solder Celebrates Read Across America at FWS

Nate Solder, offensive lineman for the New England Patriots came in to Francis Wyman to read Oh, The Places You'll Go by Dr. Seuss. 

As he entered the auditorium, the students cheered. His words as he addressed us were clear. BE A READER!

As much as we cheered for the Patriots along with his book, I will cheer for #77 for encouraging reading. 

And finally, a little publicity for us on channel 5's EyeOpener!

It's Electric

I traded in my electricity script for some new ideas. Let the practice be the learning with some online simulations. We built circuits using a simulation website and took that experience to create real circuits to identify materials that will or won't carry electricity: identifying insulators and conductors. The final challenge came next. You will quickly see that the force was with us!

Students were met with this very challenge and they lived up to the test.

Beep, beep, beep. We are interrupting this electricity test for an emergency. We need to use Morse Code to signal S. O. S. for someone to save Mrs. Lynch from the innards of this alligator. Can you use the approved items to create a flashlight so that she can use it to signal for help? The universal code for S. O. S. is three dots, three dashes, three dots. Flash your own handmade flashlight to save her from the powers of the evil swamp alligator. Dots are quick flashes and dashes are longer flashes of light.

You must follow the directions at the top of each list to create a flashlight that uses a complete circuit with a switch. Circle items to complete your shopping list.

Classroom Rewards

After a month of working hard to earn our classroom reward, Room 202 ELA earned the privilege of braiding Mr. Raymond's beard. Here are a few magic moments. 






After earning 150 CARES coupons the students were able to enjoy their first classroom reward. Shhh! Don't tell them that there is a new one in the works.

Many students took part and enjoyed the activity. There were a few surprise braiders. Great work class!

Thank you Mr. Raymond!

Fraction Masters

Write a word problem that requires you to find equivalent fractions to add or subtract. Write out the word problem, show ALL the steps to solve and write the answer with a label.

Tia and Tamara are walking in a walkathon. Combined, they need to walk 10 miles. Tia has already walked 4 and 3/4 miles but Tamara has had a great deal of homework so she has only walked 2 and 1/3 miles. How many miles are left to complete? If they were to complete the same amount of miles, how many miles would each girl still need to walk?

4 3/4 + 2 1/3 =

4 9/12 + 2 4/12= 6 13/12

6 13/12 = 7 and 1/12

10 - 7 1/12 =

9 12/12 - 7 1/12 = 2 11/12

2 and 11/12 miles are left to complete the 10 mile walkathon.

Half of 10 is 5. Tia already walked 4 and 3/4 miles, but Tamara only walked 2 and 1/3 miles.

Tia: 5 - 4 3/4 =
      4 4/4 - 4 3/4 = 1/4
Tia still needs to walk 1/4 of a mile.

Tamara 5 - 2 1/3 =
            4 3/3 - 2 1/3 = 2 2/3
Tamara still needs to walk 2 and 2/3 miles.

Standing Desks, Standing Tables and More!

I want to send out a very big thank you to my math class for helping with personalizing my classroom plan. Just Wednesday, I received the good news that our grant was approved. I can tell you, I was so excited I cried. Which leads me to the reaction of the class. You may want to turn the volume down.