Return to Creating

Tyrell shows his sketch of a game board for approval by Max and Jonas 

Sometimes it's important to remember how fun, motivating and inspiring it is to create.  

This afternoon students worked on their reading group projects in small groups of three or four.  One group went outside with Amy to create a prologue to Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh.  As students swung on the playstructure they narrated a creative tale to Amy (this is what Hollywood screenwriters do I thought).  Another group wrote cards for questions for a quiz game show on Bridge to Terebithia--they want the host to wear a tux and invent a theme song.  One group is filming a commercial, another is making a board game.  With the doors were open and activity inside and out, we returned to that quiet, creative humming feeling.  After this afternoon, I thought about doing an "arts and crafts" afternoon one day--there would be paints out, clay, origami, etc...and the students could just create.....let me know if you'd be interested in helping set it up.  Here are a few more photos.

Homework for tonight is to:

1.  Read for thirty minutes.

2.  Spelling

Have a good night!

Jed

Ending First Round Reading Groups

Students finally finished their reading group books and this afternoon watched the much anticipated movie "Bridges to Terebithia" since over half the class participated in that reading group.   The groups are creating a final project--some are writing skits then acting them out, others are writing a prequel to the book, etc...We'll take a week or so break to focus on reading/writing strategies then delve into another round with different jobs.  Some of these last discussions have been the best yet, and the work you've been doing at home to read/re-read chapters is clearly seen in the classroom.

At this time of year, students should read over their written assignments and check that the writing makes sense and there is basic punctuation.  It is totally appropriate (helpful, actually) to remind your child to look back at their writing.  It's also okay to write how many mistakes there are in the margins to give directions.  It takes lots of practice and reinforcement for students to remember to do this on their own; lots of students also love "to be done".

Homework tonight is to:
1.  Read for 30 minutes
2.  fourth math page
     fifth math page
3.  spelling

Have a good night!
Jed

"Cyclic Sequential" or "Cyclic Simultaneous"?

Tyrell and Max experiment with conductors using a fork and water (don't try this with too much voltage!)

I hope everyone had a nice weekend.  Today we discussed two different "models" for simple circuits.  Click here to see the simulation (you have to download it but it's really small).  We discussed whether a simple circuit is "cyclic sequential" or "cyclic simultaneous".  This means that either electrons start their flow from the battery, through the filament back to the battery (sequential) or that the filament immediately lights up when the circuit is complete (simultaneous).  The majority of students believe that it's sequential--electrons flow from start to finish.  This would mean that the longer the wire, the longer the bulb would take to light (and one student said that "light travels so fast you won't even be able to tell.")  Which model do you think it is?

Students also experimented with conductors and insulators (non-conductors) using paper clips, water, forks, pencils, marbles, and pennies.  Tomorrow students will experiment with parallel and series circuits.

We also began a new read aloud, When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead.  Students chose this book among three others; it's our third Newberry Award read aloud.

Our new read aloud

Homework for tonight is to:
1. Read for thirty minutes
2. Fourth math
    Fifth math
3. Spelling

Have a good night!

Dr. John Medina Seminar

Speaker/writer Dr. John Medina's best selling book, Brain Rules

Today I went to see Dr. John Medina at the Conference Center in Fort Mason as a professional development opportunity.  He is the author of the New York Times bestselling book Brain Rules.  Click here to see the website (and check out the "Takeaways and Quote" presentation on the lower right of the website--just realized it's more animated and interesting than my bullet points of the seminar listed below).

Dr. Medina was an animated, interesting speaker who discussed how the brain works in relation to learning explained in relatively simple terms, and it was a really useful seminar.  Just like Chuck Ahern, another brain expert who gave a talk last year, Dr. Medina also talked about the importance of rest and down time.   According to Dr. Medina, it is "pointless to do any thing but take a nap between 2-4pm"
because the way our sleep cycles are set up.  As a matter of fact, he shared a study done by Mark Rosekind that found that if you give fighter pilots a nap for 26 minutes from the hours of 2-4 it improves their alertness by 34% ("alertness" was measured by a bunch of different tests).

A few other tidbits:
•ultimately assigning students individual schedules to fit their genetic "morning person" or "night owl" personality would be ideal.

•our brains are wired to survive in the wild not be in a conference room, cubicle or classroom

•exercise improves memory and alertness

•according to Dr. Medina the brain is not able to multitask and "fully" pay attention.  For example, if you are drawing and listening at the same time, you're giving 50% to each one

•doing a project with interruptions in-between (text messaging, answering the phone) will take twice as long (not counting all of the interruptions) compared to if you did it without interruptions

•each and every brain learns information differently

•it takes 10 years from when you learn a piece of information to consolidate it into "true" long term memory.

Just to sum it up in one sentence: less is more, repetition (not over the course of days but actually throughout the day) is key to remembering new information, sleep cycles are directly linked to when people pay attention during the day and for how long, and that each and every brain learns differently.

Have a nice weekend!

Jed

Electricity Experiments

Jonas finds a way to light his lightbulb using a battery and single wire

Today we did our first electricity experiment.  Students sketched how a lightbulb would light with one wire and a battery.  Most students drew a "linear" model that showed a wire touching a battery that then touched the bulb.  After trial and error, students excitedly completed the circuit by touching the contact points and figured out the four different ways to do it.  This experiment begins further sketching and conversation about how circuits work.

A few photos of the experiments. 

Homework for tonight is to:
1.  Read for 30 minutes and do reading group job
2.  Spelling
3.  Fourth math
     Fifth math (posted below)

Fitting it All In

It seems that when school begins, it's easier to focus on creative writing--the "big" units haven't yet begun nor have reading groups.  Since our study on Lewis and Clark and doing reading groups twice a week, there is not as much creative writing time (including mini lessons, editing and publishing).  I guess it's a trade off.  In reading groups students write questions, connections, and summaries--more expository-type of writing.  Yet students (especially in this class) also love to experiment with voice, dialogue, description and just write creatively.  We're planning on spending more time with this type of writing.

Example Tilden Park reflection piece

Given that students were so tired after Thursday's muddy and rainy field trip, today they did a ten minute reflection.  It's impressive to see students' growth in writing fluency, diction and voice.  Students who began the year by just writing a few sentences during a ten minute quickwrite are now writing much more--and the content reflects a varied voice, diction and sentence structure.  Students really absorb language and have been quick to pick up on various writing styles and strategies.

Homework for tonight is to:
1.  Prepare for tomorrow's reading group by reading (or re-reading) assigned chapter and doing job.  If that's complete then read a Just Right Book for 30 minutes.
2.  Fourth math
     Fifth math (for tonight and tomorrow night)
3.  spelling

Real Reenactment!

"Expedition members" sketch before the rains came

Talk about a real life reenactment!  The group started at the Tilden Park Nature Center, managed to "find" the two buffalo and "attack" the bear.  They encountered berries along the way (in cartons) collected samples, journaled a bit until it started to rain.  Some got tired and cold, others wanted to go on.  The leaders led a discussion and as a group they decided to continue up to "the continental divide".  As they climbed higher, it became slippier.  It was also misty, windy and cold, yet we had only made it halfway.

Survivors of the mud and rain....

Students managed a slippery walk down. Some loved it, others struggled but everyone made it intact.  Thanks to a really helpful group of parent chaperones, Deborah, Eric, Mehran, Clare and Paula for all of your help.  In the end, students will probably never forget this experience, and they certainly got an idea of what it was like to be on a "tough expedition".  As we speak, these muddied Strawberry students are resting and enjoying a cup of hot cocoa--they have a well deserved four day weekend ahead of them.

Please be sure you give your child a bath tonight and check for ticks.  We were hiking in Tilden Park which does have both poison oak and ticks.

Have a nice, long weekend!

Jed

 I will give chaperones driving directions in the morning but drivers should be at school at 8:45.

Students should dress for hiking and wear layers.  It's supposed to sprinkle but not rain too hard (famous last words).  Also, students should pack a bag lunch.

Thanks so much to all of those who helped out with the feast!

There's light homework tonight:

1. Read for 30 minutes

    Fifth grade math

2. Get lots of sleep

Have a good night!

Jed

Creating Characters

Sketch of created character for Thursday's Lewis and Clark expedition at Tilden park

So far this has been such a busy week and it's already (well...Wednesday morning by the time I'm getting to it)...We completed the Geography Bee, and everyone really succeeded!  It's a new type of thing--to line up, have everyone watch you while trying to think of the right answer--but because students learned US geography (including rivers, landforms, etc..) everyone did really well at the beginning rounds.  The final round questions (world geography and culture) were really hard.  In the end everyone experienced what it was like and learned lots of geography in the process.

Example character sketch

Students decided to create "realistic historical" characters and then "become" them for our expedition.  This way, there can be more girls on the expedition (Sacagewea was the only one) in addition to...dogs and babies...(well, a few wanted to be babies, but we had to rule them out--50 pound babies would be too hard to carry).   Their character sketches are really creative!  Click here for a few examples. They also elected two leaders by way of sticky note ballot voting: Lily and Sam are the modern Lewis and Clark.  After school I'm heading to Tilden to put out the clues.

1.  do reading job homework and read for thirty minutes
2.  fourth math
     fifth math
3.  spelling

***remember to sign/return with child the permission slip to Thursday's field trip to Tilden Park

Homework for tonight is to:

1.  Read for thirty minutes
2.  No written fourth math homework.  Students are to observe different shapes in their home (starting to work on two dimensional shapes).
     Fifth grade math 
Spelling

Have a good night!

Who Wants to be a Millionaire?

Students thought hard about answers to geography questions while playing Who Wants To Be a Hundred Millionaire.

For the CerritoBerry meeting this morning I created a Who Wants to Be a Hundred Millionaire game.  You can play it here--how many points do you get?  Students excitedly and pensively worked together to figure out the answers.  On Tuesday we're having the National Geographic Geography Bee for students who'd like to participate--we're hoping that everyone gives it a try.  The Jeopardy games and links on the right will help.  Here are more pictures from the morning meeting.

Thanks for helping your child with spelling.  Today's spelling tests were especially successful, and there has been lots of improvement!

Next week is a really busy week.  Here are some highlights:

Monday:  Girls Group 12:45-1:30 will boys read/type

Tuesday: Geography Bee--we thought of inviting parents but think it's best to keep it low key and see how it goes since this is the first year we've held it.

Wednesday:  Lewis and Clark Feast--thanks to all of you who volunteered to prepare food.  We are looking for volunteers to set up and serve; if you're able, please contact Deborah Lambe.  The feast will be relatively low key.  Students are not dressing up; rather, they're getting a little idea of what the food was like back then--eating for their normal lunch time (11:45-12:15)--and Thursday will be more of a simulation.

Thursday:  Lewis and Clark field trip re-enactment at Tilden Park from 9:00-3:00 (please sign permission slips sent home today and send them back with your child).  During the field trip students will assume a character of the expedition (yes…including the Newfoundland dog that students already asked to be).  We will begin walking up the "Missouri River" all the way to the "Rocky Mountains", cross the "Continental Divide" and ultimately pass "Mt. Hood" and hit the Pacific.  Along the way, envelopes will be stashed containing various challenges and obstacles.  For example, a hunting party has to find and kill a buffalo to eat, another group will ward off a bear.  At one point the team will split in two to explore different regions.  Students will be mapping, writing in their journals and collecting samples along the way.

This is an exciting parent volunteer opportunity.  We are looking for parents who would like to take on the role of various Native Americans along the way.  This would entail giving the "team" the envelope of what they would have to do and acting out a certain role.  I think it would be a lot of fun and students would get a kick out of your participation. It's also a chance for dads to get involved (there haven't been dad parent chaperones).  Please let either Deborah or me know if you'd be willing to chaperone this coming Thursday.  Even though the field trip is the whole day, if you give us a time frame, we could work around your schedule.   

We're looking forward to an exciting next week.  I hope everyone has a nice weekend!

Homework for tonight is to:
1.  Read for thirty minutes (no reading log, next Reading Groups meet on Wednesday)
2.  Spelling

Have a good night!

Really Coming Along!

Fourth Grade Math Students Roughed the Cold for the "Measuring 100 Feet Challenge"

This morning during fourth grade math students measured 100 feet.  Even in the cold, masking tape snaked around campus.  It's surprising how long 100 feet actually is (around 3 times the length of the classroom).   More pictures from math this morning here.  Fourth grade parents please read the Unit Four Parent Letter that is posted on the right.

There was such a high caliber of conversation at reading groups today.  I would have recorded the discussions, but I feel awkward shuffling around while putting an iphone into students' faces.  Students "respectfully agree/disagree" with each other and are becoming independent, formal conversationalist.  This afternoon students worked on their Lewis and Clark projects and they're are also coming around.  Also, I added some United States geography links on the right.

Homework for tonight is to:

1. Read Reading Group chapter and do job (Terebithia Group needs to read up to chapter 8).  If completed (not a lot have) read for thirty minutes total.

2.  Fourth math

     Fifth math

3.  Spelling

Have a good night!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!  I hope everyone had a wonderful break and are off to great 2011!  It's wonderful to return to rested faces and hear exciting stories students shared about break. 


During the next couple of weeks we'll be finishing our Lewis and Clark study.  Next Wednesday and Thursday mark the end of the unit culminating with a feast (Wednesday) and field trip to Tilden Park on Thursday.  If you can bring/prepare an item for the feast or chaperone on Thursday's field trip (Scavenger Hunt type of Lewis and Clark re-enactment) please e-mail Deborah Lambe at dclambe@gmail.com.  I will send permission slips in the next couple of days.  

For an end of the unit project today students chose a facet of the Lewis and Clark era and are preparing a presentation.  Here is the form they filled out.  Students excitedly pursued their topics and have already proven to be great teachers.  Ask your child which topic she/he chose.

Homework for tonight is to:

1.  Read (or re-read) reading group book and complete job.  (Read for 30 minutes if completed.

2.  Fourth math

     Fifth math Problem of the Week
    Fifth math

3.  Spelling

Have a good night!

Reminders:

Be sure your child has a Just Right Reading Book handy for in-between projects.  

Students should be sure to bring their Friday folders back to school if they haven't already (thanks for looking over them…there wasn't as much work to go over as lot of assignments have ended up in Reading Journals and Writer's notebooks).