We had a busy day of learning in Target!

Algebraic Thinking:
We reviewed Hands On Equations Lesson 14, so the kids will be solid in understanding before moving on to the last lesson of this Level.

Stations:
We worked on a May F2OE to use our divergent thinking skills and a logic puzzle to engage our convergent thinking skills.  The kids are pros at both of these now!

Novel Study:
We finished reading Hidden Figures.  What a wonderful story of accomplishment, innovation, and sheer determination!

Unit Study:
The kids did a fantastic job on the first Rube Goldberg Challenge, "Jenga Geronimo Challenge"!  Check out the pictures of their amazing creations!

No Target Class on May 14the because of Milestones Testing.
Until next time,
​Dr. Kraeger

It was a perfectly wonderful Thursday, especially because I got to see my 4th Grade Target kiddos!

Unit:
We watched a fun OK Go video, "This Too Shall Pass" which shows a cool Rube Goldberg machine.  The kids researched how Rube Goldberg machines combine Simple Machines into a Complex Machine which does a simple task.  Then, we watched a few more interesting Rube Goldberg machines.  Check them out on the Target Glog if you're interested.  Finally, the kids made a list of possible items to bring from home to be used for their Rube Goldberg machines.  Recycled items are perfect, so are old toys, dominoes, toy cars, etc.  We'll be doing a Rube Goldberg Challenge next class.

Algebraic Thinking:
We stepped up to a very difficult concept this week and the kids worked hard on it!  We'll review it next time before moving on.

Novel Study:
We read another chapter in Hidden Figures. It was a good one!  The kids are putting all the pieces of history together, and it's exciting to watch it happen!  Those who haven't watched the Hidden Figures movie yet, are hoping they get to watch it soon at home.  It is a wonderful story!

Stations:
The kids used their logical thinking to solve a Cryptogram from our novel.  It was hard, but they loved it!  Then they used their divergent thinking to transform a gear into something else.  The creations are incredible!  Check them out below!

Affective:
We read a book about engineering, Rosie Revere-Engineer.  The kids did a good job writing about connections to our unit and also character trait connections between Rosie and themselves-especially perseverance!

HW: Finish Cryptogram and/or Transformation

Until next time,
Dr. Kraeger
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What a marvelous and exciting day we had in Target!

Algebraic Thinking:
We refreshed our math skills and then moved on to new Legal Moves in our next Hands On Equations lesson.  The kids are doing excellent work with these challenging concepts!

Stations:
We used our convergent thinking to solve a Dorothy Vaughn quotefall.  The kids are experts at these now. I'm going to have to stump them next week with a Cryptogram!  Our divergent thinking skills got a workout with an April F2OE.  Their creativity always amazes me!  So clever!

Unit Study;
We shared our Pendulums.  Good job to those that built their own Pendulums!  We watched a fascinating Pendulum Painting video.  Then, we worked together to create our own Pendulum Paintings.  It took experimentation on the viscosity of the paint, the size of the hole, and the pattern of swinging the pendulum.  Wow!  The kids had a wonderful time with outstanding collaboration on this group project!  Take a look at our finished paintings below.  I'll be posting a video of the process on Seesaw.

No HW

Until next time,
​Dr. Kraeger

What a fun Friday!

Algebraic Thinking:
We worked using multiples and common multiples to create Math Art.  Check out the creative color schemes!

Novel Study:
We read biographies of each main character noting obstacles that each encountered. We also read a bit more of our novel.

Unit Study:
We learned about orbits and the impact of gravity on orbits.  We tried different combinations of mass to see how the orbits changed. We also learned about the Mars Orbital Mission and discussed the similarities with the missions in Hidden Figures. The kids chose two planets or asteroids to create orbits for.  It was fun experimenting with these ideas.

Stations:
We used convergent thinking to solve a Fallen Phrase Quote puzzle from Mary Jackson.  Then the kids used their divergent thinking to create different ideas for SCAMPER a Computer.  The results were SO creative!  Love it!

Have a restful and relaxing Spring Break!
Dr. Kraeger

What wonderful learning these fourth grade kiddos are doing!

Algebraic Thinking:
We continued our Word Problems with some more practice translating the story problem into equations we solved.  Then, we moved back into our regular Hands On Equations with Lesson 11.  This was a good refresher before we move into new concepts next week.

Unit Study:
The kids did a great job researching Forces and Motion and then used their knowledge to create 3 different experiments to demonstrate these concepts.  We had a great time doing the experiments today!  

Novel Study:
The kids continued their deep dive into the characters from our novel.  We created a Body Biography of each of the characters, listing all their important character traits. Then, we added an overlay of the obstacles each overcame using these character traits.

Stations:
We worked on some St. Patrick's Day logic puzzles. They were certainly a challenge for our convergent thinking.  Then we used divergent thinking to create Math Mosaics and solutions for a Spring F2OE.  Their creativity is amazing!  Check it out in the photos!

HW: Finish logic or F2OE
Until next time,
​Dr. Kraeger

We had a jam-packed day to get lots of learning done!

Affective Skills:  
The kids worked on "The Nitty Gritty on GRIT"-learning about the successes, challenges, and ways that famous people used Grit to succeed. We followed that with a Grit Reflection on our own lives.

Algebraic Thinking:
We tackled Word Problems, which required us to apply our algebra skills from Hands On Equations to create and solve equations.  It was a bit of a challenge, but the kids stepped up and did well!

Stations:
We stretched our divergent thinking by creating Seussical Space Creations.  Check out their amazing work!  The kids also worked their convergent thinking with a St. Patrick's Day logic puzzle.  Hopefully they had to luck of the Irish to get it solved!

Novel Study:
We read another couple of chapters in our book, discussing important points.

HW:  Finish Grit Seesaw Task, Logic, & Seussical Creation
Until next time,
​Dr. Kraeger

We had a short Target Day because I was proctoring the GR3 IOWA test this morning.  The kids made the most of their time in Target!

Novel Study:
We read Chapter 16 in our book, "What a Difference a Day Makes" to find out about the results of the Sputnik launch and the end of West Computing.  

Unit Study:
We read a few articles about NASA in the news.  One was about the launch of a rocket called the "SS Katherine Johnson".  Another was about one of the first African American astronauts.  The final article was about the youngest ever astronaut, a 29 year old physician's assistant that will act as the Mission Medic. 

Stations:
We used our convergent thinking skills to solve a Fallen Phrase puzzle with a quote from Katherine Johnson.  The kids did a fantastic job, especially in collaborating to get it solved!  They used their divergent thinking to create solutions to various tasks in "Star Bright".  I love their creativity!

HW: Finish Starbright and Fallen Phrase puzzle if not already done.

Until next time,
​Dr. Kraeger 

It was a wild ride on Target Day!

Unit Study:
We viewed the Sways created by our collaborative groups to learn more about the Cold War, the Space Race, and the Civil Rights Movement.  The kids thought that each group did a great job including valuable information to share understanding.  Nice work!  Then, we discussed connections between the three events.  

Novel Study:
We read a Hidden Figures picture book focusing on the Space Race.  Then we read another chapter of our Hidden Figures novel.

Algebraic Thinking:
We used our critical thinking skills and our creativity to solve problems which helped us make our Valentine Glyph.  They turned out beautiful!

We ended our day with an opportunity for kids who had finished all their work to play Kahoot games.  Those who had work to complete had the opportunity to catch up on missing assignments.

No homework-Enjoy your February Break!

Until next time,
​Dr. Kraeger

What a wonderful day to end our week!  The kids were geared up and ready to learn all day in Target!

Affective Skills:
We discussed criticism and the difference between Constructive Feedback and hurtful Criticism.  The kids really noticed the difference after watching some Simon Cowell criticism moments from American Idol.  Ouch!  So rough!

Unit Study:
We spent time completing our research on Space Race, Cold War and Civil Rights Movement.  The kids are collaborating on shared Sway presentations.  I love the way they're helping each other and using constructive feedback to make their presentations better.

Stations:
We used our divergent thinking skills to transform a heart.  Oh my, these kids are incredibly creative!!!  Take a look at their wonderful work!
They also stretched their convergent thinking with a choice of logic puzzles to complete, either a grid style or a Perplexor.  They did a great job!

Novel Study:
We read a few more chapters in Hidden Figures.  The kids learned about a new "Hidden Figure" today and how she helped in the Space Race!

HW:  Seesaw Novel Study Question

Until next time,
​Dr. Kraeger

It's been fabulous learning in Target!  These kids amaze me at how they can easily transition between All Virtual and F2F/Virtual learning without missing anything!

Algebraic Thinking:
We jumped back into our Hands On Equations with a new lesson.  As the equations become more challenging, it is important for the kids to use their Hand On Equations kits to solve the equations as they write their answers and show their work on their Lesson Pages.  The concepts build upon themselves and this practice manipulating the pieces will be crucial to their success as the equations become very challenging in a few weeks.

Unit Study:
We continued our research on the background events of Hidden Figures: The Cold War, The Space Race, and the Civil Rights Movement.  The kids are learning so many interesting things about wind tunnels, supersonic and hypersonic speeds, and sonic booms.

Novel Study:
We continued our reading of Hidden Figures.  The kids are seeing how small actions can have big impact in the face of racism through the stories of these intelligent and brave women.  

Stations:
We used our convergent thinking skills to solve several logic puzzles, some even about spacecraft!  
The kids stretched their divergent thinking by creating and sharing a New Planet and by using creativity to change a rocket in several ways.  

Affective Skills:
We finished our Perfect Square lessons by making new creations from our torn and crumpled squares.  The results are marvelous!  Check them out below:

HW:  Seesaw-Novel Study Question

Until next time,
​Dr. Kraeger

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