It was another crazy, mixed-up day in Target because of our Author Visit.  The kids really enjoyed listening to how a published author uses many of the creative thinking skills that we work on in Target.

Convergent Thinking:
We tested our logical thinking skills against a Halloween puzzle, "Who Wore What?"  I think the kids prevailed!  That puzzle was no match for us!

Divergent thinking:
From there, we went to the exact opposite with a Pumpkin Creative Problem Solving task.  This time we used fluency, flexibility, elaboration, and originality to explore various pumpkin related tasks.  The kids amazed me, as always with their highly creative ideas!

Algebraic Thinking:
We worked on Order of Operations, since it is beginning to come up in our Hands On Equations work.  The kids mastered it easily!  The trick is to remember the steps once we get into more complicated equations!

Critical Thinking/Communication:
We dug deeper into foreshadowing with a spooky ghost story.  We'll wrap that up next week.  The kids found examples of foreshadowing from the story and then used critical thinking to explain their examples.

HW:  Edmodo-Find an example of foreshadowing from a book you've read.

Until next week,
Mrs. Kraeger

Convergent Thinking:
We stretched our brains with some old fashioned logic puzzles and some less familiar analogies.  Some of us were very quick to ask the meaning of unfamiliar words.  That's what dictionaries are for! :)

Algebraic thinking:
We are zooming right through the basics and are ready to tackle more challenging concepts.  Look out equations, here we come!

Novel Study:
We focused on setting today by reading and discussing why the author would put so much emphasis on the setting instead of the characters, action, or problem.  Interesting to hear the kids' ideas about this!

Divergent, Critical, and Evaluative thinking:
We used all of these skills to collaborate on creating a better bow tie.  It was a challenge to brainstorm ideas, rank them, justify the top choice, describe that choice, and then illustrate the final product.  Whew!

HW:  On Edmodo, choose a product to redesign and tell why.


See you next week!
Mrs. Kraeger

Logical Thinking:
We enjoyed playing a card game called SET, which challenged our convergent thinking skills.  It's sounds easy, but requires careful thought and analysis.

Critical & Evaluative Thinking:
Continuing our work with foreshadowing, we watched a video called, "Rosie's Walk" based on the book of the same name.  It is a simple story with some sophisticated examples of humor and foreshadowing.  This was a great preparation for our small group work on analyzing other picture books and our novel to find examples of foreshadowing.

Divergent & Critical Thinking and Communication:
Today we compiled all of our newspaper articles and created a GIANT newspaper in the hall, "Life in the 1880s".  The kids had to figure out catchy headlines, decide on layout of their stories, fill in empty space with comics, ads, or mini articles.  It was very challenging, but their good collaboration helped them to do a great job!  It was a fantastic way to hit all of our multiple intelligences in one activity!

Novel Study:  
We read a bit more of our book and found out how the Krakatoan's govern themselves.  Now we know why they have a "Gourmet Government"!  Ask your child about that.  

HW:  Check Edmodo or turn in on paper--Choose your first, middle, or last initial and create a restaurant whose name starts with that letter.

Happily Awaiting Next Week!
Mrs. Kraeger
 

Convergent thinking:
We tried new types of challenges for this today--figures showing relationships and word analogies.  The kids did very well!

Later, we tried a new verbal puzzle called "Link Winks".  The kids loved it so much they didn't want to quit!

Algebraic Thinking:
We worked on these skills along with our critical thinking skills to solve a variety of math problems.  Some were particularly difficult, but the kids persevered and figured them out!  Love that!

Divergent Thinking:
The kids created their own Hot Air Balloon Fact books today.  They loved designing their balloons, choosing facts to share, and some even added a bit of humor!  Fantastic way to take it up a notch!

Novel Study:
We read more of Twenty-One Balloons.  During our reading time, we discussed the literary technique of foreshadowing.  The kids made predictions about upcoming events and we learned about supply and demand in relationship to diamonds, since they were discovered on the Island of Krakatoa (in our novel).

HW:  Check Edmodo to complete the assignment--Write a letter as a citizen of Krakatoa explaining how you will prevent Professor Sherman from leaving the island.  

Yours,
Mrs. Kraeger

Novel Study:
Reading- We worked on our reading comprehension while doing some research about hot air balloons.  It was helpful for us to learn about some of the history of the balloon, as well as the names of the parts of the balloon.

We also used our critical thinking skills to make predictions about upcoming events.  Later we used analysis to create a H Chart comparing Life in the 1880s to Modern Day life.  There were some really interesting points on the chart, including Women's Rights-Go Sky!

Algebraic thinking:
Today we worked through the Level 1 Assessment for Hands On Equations.  From the brief look I took, most seemed to do very well!  That means we're ready to move on and tackle Level 2!

Divergent Thinking:
Wow!  The creativity was pretty amazing as the kids built their Parade Transportation vehicles from the designs they brainstormed.  We shared them with the class.  We also used our evaluative thinking skills to self-rate on the design and building process.  Lastly, we held a mini parade of vehicles in class.  What a hoot!

HW:  Check Edmodo for the assignment or do it on paper to bring next Wednesday.  Write a paragraph predicting what will happen next in our book, Twenty-One Balloons.