3rd Grade Learning for Week of February 2, 2015

This week I have a challenge for you.  I would like you to respond to this challenge in our journal.  It is important and fairly simple.  I'm looking for 100% participation.

• Think about your Genius Hour project.  Did you choose a topic you are TRULY passionate about?  If you are TRULY passionate about this project, then you would want to read and learn about it all the time, even without being asked to.  Write a journal reflection on your Genius Hour topic considering if you LOVE this idea or not.  It is still ok to change.  Really think about what your passion is.  Your reflection should be at least one paragraph and should tell your honest feelings about your topic.  We will be discussing this in class

Due Dates:

• Friday, 2/6/15

Have fun!  Learn Lots!  Grow Dendrites!  Be Proactive!

4th Grade Learning Extension for Week of February 2, 2015

This week I have two challenges for you.  I would like you to respond to these challenges in our journal.  These are both important and fairly simple.  I'm looking for 100% participation.

• Think about your Genius Hour project.  Did you choose a topic you are TRULY passionate about?  If you are TRULY passionate about this project, then you would want to read and learn about it all the time, even without being asked to.  Write a journal reflection on your Genius Hour topic considering if you LOVE this idea or not.  It is still ok to change.  Really think about what your passion is.  Your reflection should be at least one paragraph and should tell your honest feelings about your topic.  We will be discussing this in class.
• Please bring to class a motivational quote for our Quotable Quotes wall.  Talk with your family.  Maybe your family has a saying.  Write your quote in your journal and it's source.  For example.  
• You have brains in your head.  You have feet in your shoes.  You can steer yourself any direction you choose. - Dr. Seuss
• After you write down your quote, write a short explanation of why you think your quote would be good for our Quotable Quotes wall.

Due Dates:

• Mrs. Martinez' Class is due on Thursday 2/5/15
• Mrs. Padgett and Mrs. Montgomery's class is due on Friday 2/6/15

I would recommend doing your assignments early so you don't have to worry about it next week on mock testing days.

Have fun!  Learn Lots!  Grow Dendrites!

3rd Grade Classwork

I'm so glad that you are here today!

Today we will be:

• Practicing our fluency in writing
• Creating a word cloud using TagXedo
• Working on our Genius Hour Projects

We will be busy and I need you to be ON TASK!  and help each other!

When you arrive, please get your iPad.  On a new google document in your google drive, please type ten adjectives that describe you.  Think Character Traits.  These should be adjectives, not nouns.  It would also be beneficial to use a thesaurus to come up with powerful words.  If your parents responded to the survey, Mrs. Pogue will give you another word.  On your list, you should also type your name.

When you are finished typing your list, you will need to go to a computer.  On the computer, you will need to get on your google drive, look in your shared folder for the Tagxedo document, open it, and follow the directions.

Have fun!

4th Grade Classwork

Welcome back to GT class!  I've missed you all so much!

Today we will be:

• Checking our Math GPS 46
• Exploring measurment reasonableness
• Learn to do measurement conversions
• Creating a word cloud using TagXedo
• Working on our Genius Hour Projects

We will be busy and I need you to be ON TASK!  and help each other!

When you arrive, please get your iPad.  On a new google document in your google drive, please type ten adjectives that describe you.  Think Character Traits.  If your parents responded to the survey, Mrs. Pogue will give you another word.  On your list, also type your name.

When you are finished typing your list, you will need to go to a computer.  On the computer, you will need to get on your google drive, look in your shared folder for the Tagxedo document, open it, and follow the directions.

I will be calling you in small groups to work on math.  We will also play Kahoot to check your GPS work.

What is the Outback? Learning Extension for 1st and 2nd Grade

This World of Connections Learning Extension is for FAMILIES!  Have fun!

First grade students need to have this extension completed by Monday, February 2.
Second grade students need to have this extension completed by Thursday, February 5.

Next week in GT class, we will be learning about the continent of Australia.  To prepare the children with some background information, please have fun with the following critical thinking activity.

First you will need to learn some interesting facts about the outback in Australia.  You can find some information by clicking on this link:  The Outback in Australia.  As a family, read and discuss the Outback with your child.

Next, you will need to solve this dilemma using your critical thinking skills:

You are traveling in a desolate part of the outback in Australia.  You are on your way to an educational symposium when your plane crashes.  You are three days away from an airfield.  There is no chance of making the symposium on time.  Your best bet is to start walking as you won't survive staying where you are.  Take inventory of your items to determine what is important to take and what is not.  You may only take FIVE things with you.  Remember it is a three day trip!

Here are your supplies:

• 1 partial box of saltine crackers
• 2 cans of beef stew
• 4 bruised apples
• 6 litres of water
• 1 can pork and beans
• 2 ripe bananas
• 500 grams of coffee
• 2 cups of sugar
• 1 first aid kit
• Map of Australia
• Candles
• 6 damp matches
• Rope
• Tents/sleeping bags
• Pots and Pans

Remember you may only take FIVE of your items with you.  In your journal, draw you five items and be prepared to explain why you chose those items.  

Have fun and have interesting problem-solving discussions.

Parents, please complete the following form so I have your feedback:  Parent Feedback

Enjoy and as usual, please let me know if you have any questions and/or concerns.  It was sooo good to be back in class this week!

Tagxedo

This week, we are going to create word clouds with a new app I learned about this weekend at EdCamp Rockwall.  It's called Tagxedo.  I'm super excited about my students using it for the first time.

Click here to get to Tagxedo and create your word cloud.