We got our creative juices flowing with a Hidden Picture, requiring knowledge of ordered pairs too!

Algebraic Thinking:
We broke into small groups to begin our work on Word Problems.  We used our Hands On Equations to create equations from the word problems and solve them.  It is very important to learn and review the basics at this point, so as the problems become more challenging, the kids understand the key steps in solving these problems.

Unit Study:
The kids started the design process for their games today by creating a Game Plan.  They're working in class to create a Board Game, Card Game, or Video Game.  The Game Plan includes the Title, Theme, Objective, Characters/Materials, Rules/Directions, Ways to Level Up, Risks/Rewards, and a sketch of the scenes, board, and/or cards.  We'll be working in class for the next several weeks.

Novel Study:
The kids worked on identifying humor in the novel this week.  They also answered some critical thinking questions in our Kahoot! game as we read the next chapter.  We're learning some surprising things about Grandpa!

HW:  Edmodo-Next Steps on the Game Project

Until next time,
​Dr. Kraeger

We started our day by finishing up some work from last week.  With those few extra minutes, the kids were able to do a bang-up job on their logic puzzles and critical thinking questions about our novel.

Unit Study:
We continued our research on Games with a video, Crash Course Games #19-Game Design.  The kids learned some important principles of good game design.  Hopefully, this will be helpful for their work on creating their own games.  

Divergent Thinking:
We stretched our creative thinking with an October F2OE.  The Fluency, Flexibility, Originality, and Elaboration was TREMENDOUS!  Check out some of the amazing work in the photos and on the wall outside our classroom.

Novel Study:
We read another chapter of our novel and talked a little about things that just aren't as good as they used to be.  The example in the book was Raisinets.  While we read, the kids played Kahoot to answer critical thinking questions about the story.  They love it, so we'll have to do it again soon!

HW:  Edmodo-Share your idea for a Game you'd like to create.

Until next time,
​Dr. Kraeger

We started off strong with a warm up in our convergent thinking with a Versatiles activity.  We also finished up our reading activity, "Snapping Into Place".  

Algebraic Thinking:
We continued to hone our algebraic thinking with another lesson in Hands On Equations.  Most of us are pretty solid, so we'll be ready to use our skills with some word problems next time.

Unit Study:
We learned about adding typography and containers to our Sketchnotes today.  The kids applied these skills to a video: Crash Course #13-Card Games.  They are starting to understand how this sketchnoting will help them in Middle School and beyond.  Hopefully, this is a skill they can build on and strengthen to use for their continued achievement.

Affective Skills:
We took our "Future Me" lesson a bit farther with a focus on a particular character trait we hope to develop as we grow.  The kids chose some really powerful traits!  
We continued our Mindfulness Practice with "Calm Down your Amygdala".  The kids learned how we can turn negative (Red) thoughts into positive (Green) thoughts.  

Stations:
We worked our convergent thinking with a difficult Logic Puzzle.  Our divergent thinking skills came alive with our Sketchnoting for the "All About Me" Idea Flood.  I hope you'll check it out beside our classroom.  We also used critical thinking and made connections with our "Character Study" task from our Novel.

Novel Study:
After listening to a clip of the song, "Route 66", we read another chapter of our novel, The Fourteenth Goldfish.  The kids shared some very sweet responses to our question: "What silly thing would you do for one of your parents to show your love?"  Check that out here.

HW:  Edmodo
Until next time,
Dr. Kraeger

We started our day with a "Waker Upper", a thinking task designed to get our creative and logical thinking going.

Algebraic Thinking:
We continued our Hands On Equations with our beginners learning about Legal Moves!  This will make solving equations so easy!  Our middle group worked on using "Convenient Zeroes" in solving a variety of equations.  While our advanced group continued their work with negative numbers.

Unit Study:
We continued our study of Games with "Crash Course Games #3-The Dawn of Video Games".  The kids enjoyed the video and learned a lot about video games from the Websites listed on our Target Glog.

Affective Skills:
We watched a short video about "My 80th Birthday Party" to begin our work on exploring our "Future Selves".  The kids brainstormed ideas about how they want to be remembered on their 80th birthdays.  
We continued our Mindfulness Practice with Mindful Breathing.  

Stations:
We stretched our convergent thinking with logic puzzles and REALLY worked our divergent thinking with a Jellyfish Transformation and creation of a Visual Image of what "Snapping Into Place" means (from our Novel Study).  Take a look, outside our classroom, at the amazingly creative work the kids did on their transformations.

Novel Study:
We continued our reading with chapters 9 and 10.  Ellie's grandfather, Melvin, has hatched a plan to get back to this Science Lab and it may involve Ellie.  

HW:  NONE!  Enjoy the Break!
Until next time,
​Dr. Kraeger

With IOWA testing, our Target Day was pretty short this week.

We we had a game evaluation session with Card Games to give the kids another opportunity to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of various game elements. They enjoyed this a lot and we’re definitely glad for a hands on activity.

We we also read a couple chapters in our novel. We’ve met the complete cast of characters now and are eagerly waiting to see what kind wacky situations they’ll find themselves in.

HW: Edmodo
Until next time,
​Dr. Kraeger

Because of Testing in 1st & 3rd Grade, our Target Day was oh, so short. We managed to pack in lots of good stuff though.

Unit Study:
We continued our Game Unit with Board Game Play. After trying several games, the kids evaluated the games for elements that create fun and elements that cause boredom or frustration. It was interesting watching them formulate ideas about how they experience games and then put those ideas into words.

Novel Study:
We didn’t have time to read any of our novel today, but we did learn about idioms, while identifying and interpreting some from the novel. The trickiest one was “Hole-in-the-Wall”.

Edmodo: 12 lucky kids earned 5 minutes if extra recess because one of their parents signed up for Edmodo. We’ll offer that option again next week, just in case you’d still like to sign up.

HW: Edmodo

Until next time,
​Dr. Kraeger

We started our day with some creativity by making Word Clouds using Tagxedo.  Check it out in your child's Target Folder.  Please make sure you sign your child's Assignment Sheet each week.  

Unit Study:
Onward with our Games Unit!  The kids enjoyed another "Crash Course Games-Psychology of Games".  We also learned about the Power of Games from a Ted Talk with Jane McGonigal.  So, if you want to add more time to your life, just watch the video and follow her advice!  We'll be analyzing and evaluating board games in class next week.  Students should bring a (non-electronic) Board Game to play.

Novel Study:
We carried on with The Fourteenth Goldfish.  The kids discovered the setting of the book and also how Grandpa turned into a teenager.  Interesting science stuff tucked into this novel!
​
Algebraic Thinking:
We jumped right into Hands On Equations with several groups to get everyone started.  Our beginner group is making good progress, and we'd like them to stop in during CME next week to work on some HOE Algebra lessons to make even quicker progress. Once that happens, we'll be able to add them to our next group to learn the more advanced skills from HOE Level 2.  Our returning kids reviewed a bit from Level 2 and one group is diving right in to Level 3, which is our most challenging part of HOE.  This will be excellent preparation for Middle School algebra!

Affective Skills:
We continued our Mindfulness Practice with a breathing exercise, 4-7-8 Breathing.  Most of the kids found this pretty challenging, but did much better after the second try.  This is a good way to relax or help quiet the mind at bedtime.

We also had an lesson focused on pursuing your dreams, not wasting time with regrets.  The kids really enjoyed the video that we shared, "Seize the Day".  They even sang along on the last chorus!  Our discussion of the meaning of the song lyrics and how those ideas can impact your life was really strong.  
​
HW:  Edmodo Question & Bring a Board Game

Until Next Time,
Dr. Kraeger

​

We got our day off to a good start with a divergent thinking activity.  The kids described what school would be like without Target.  The answers were funny, creative, and definitely 100% kid!  Check them out by our classroom!

We had a blast with our Target Scavenger Hunt using a new app, called Goosechase.  The kids worked in teams to answer questions and complete missions around the school, including getting a picture of someone juggling.  Who knew Mr. Jones could juggle?
​
Unit Study:
We continued our work on Games!  The kids enjoyed another "Crash Course Games" about Board Games.  They continued their research with some notetaking from several websites about Board Games.

Novel Study:
We continued our reading of The Fourteenth Goldfish.  The kids were delighted when our main character discovered that the surly teenager, who showed up at their house, was actually her grandfather!  Stay tuned to see how THAT happened!
​
Algebraic Thinking:
We began our math work with a short review of Hands On Equations, Level 2.  After that, we took a Pre-test to assess our knowledge from Level 2, before placing kids in appropriate learning groups for our math time.  The groups are flexible, so if a child makes quick progress, he/she can move to a more challenging group.  Likewise, if the pace is too quick, we can find a group with a bit slower pace.

Divergent Thinking:
We stretched our brains in creative ways with our first F2OE of the year.  We reviewed what Fluency, Flexibility, Originality, and Elaboration are.  The kids liked the variety of tasks and rated which they found easiest and hardest.  We'll do variations of this task throughout the year to help us grow our creativity.

Affective Skills:
We continued our Mindfulness Practice with a breathing exercise, 4-7-8 Breathing.  Most of the kids found this pretty challenging, but did much better after the second try.  This is a good way to relax or help quiet the mind at bedtime.

A Quick Note about Edmodo:
I only assign one question for Homework each time.  The kids will see it at the top of their posts.  Edmodo sends out an optional Question of the Day.  The kids don't have to answer that,--it's just for fun.  I'll be sending home Parent Sign-Up forms for Edmodo next week.

HW:  Edmodo Question

Until Next Time,
Dr. Kraeger

Thank you so very much for the sweet gifts for Teacher Appreciation!  I absolutely love working with your children, and you are all so kind to spoil me with the wonderful treats, presents, and lovely notes!

We had a fabulous last day of Target with our fifth graders!

We started our day with a Game Playing Session.  Each child presented the game he/she created and played it with others.  The kids had a chance to play several games during the 3 Sessions.  We were amazed at the creativity and clever ideas in these games!  Excellent work! 

Later in the day, we challenged the kids convergent, evaluative, communication, and collaboration skills with a Mystery to solve: "Mayhem in the Math Department".  The kids used cryptography to break ciphers and solve the clues to the crime.  I've never seen the kids so engaged!  We heard comments like: "I've never been so confused!  I LOVE this!" and "I'll be back from the AR Ice Cream Party in 5 minutes, so I can get back to solving these clues!" 

It's so hard to see these kids move on to middle school.  They're totally ready, but I guess we're not quite ready to let them go!  It's been a fantastic 4 years with this group!  

Have a wonderful summer!
​Dr. Kraeger