We had a fantastic first day back at Target!  It was marvelous to have some new friends join us in Target!  It makes for a large group, but they are highly motivated and enthusiastic about learning!

Algebraic thinking:
We worked on a Math Stars today, which is a mixed problem solving activity.  One of the kids told me, "This is the hardest Math Star you've ever given us!"  Yet, most of them managed to work almost all the problems correctly with a little bit of collaboration.  I'd say, job well done!

Unit Study:
We launched our Genius Hour Unit.  This Genius Hour video is a good overview, so you understand what we'll be working on.  The kids will be asking you a question to gain some ideas, and will have a project topic for your approval next week. 

Affective Skills:
We began our work on the "Extreme Dream" with a fascinating video of Diana Nyad describing her first attempt to swim nonstop from Cuba to Key West.  The kids were riveted and had some insightful reflections afterward.

We continued our Mindfulness Practice with a little review of a basic technique called, 4-7-8 Breathing.  

Novel Study:
We started our new novel, Operation Yes.  It's a good one!  While we have enough books for the kids to share, if you'd like to purchase a book, here's the link: Operation Yes book. 

 HW:  Edmodo Question

Until next time,
​Dr. Kraeger

There was a flurry of activity to put finishing touches on the games before our Game Playing sessions.  

Stations:
We blew the kids' minds today with a Mystery Picture using ordered pairs on the Coordinate Grid to create a holiday Picture.  We didn't finish yet, but they have pretty good guesses on what the picture will be.  This knowledge of ordered pairs will come in handy later to graph and solve equations.  

Novel Study:
We read a couple of chapters of our novel, revealing some VERY exciting news!  The kids followed this by choosing and illustrating their favorite scene from the novel.  The results will be fantastic, based on what I've seen so far!

Unit Study:
The Games were a big hit all around!  We saw so much creativity in the designs and themes!  The kids had a ton of fun playing different games!  The Project Evaluations and Rubrics will be coming home next week.  Although the Project is an important grade in several Gifted Standards, we have also evaluated the kids on the work they've done in the research, evaluation, and creation part of their games.  

No Homework! 

Until next time,
Dr. Kraeger

Algebraic Thinking:
We started off strong with a Hands On Equations lesson.  Our groups are learning about Convenient Zero with Cubes and Pawns/Stars.  These are challenging concepts, which are essential to understanding the foundations of solving algebraic equations.  Our beginner group is exploring using white pawns/stars in equations.

Unit Study:
Today was our last class to work on our Game Projects.  Whew!  They put in a TON of hard work!  Can't wait to see the finished products on our Game Day-December 12th!  If you need to look at the Rubrics for the Game Project, they are available on the Target Glog-5th Grade page.  

Stations:
We used our divergent thinking skills to create wonderful solutions to our November F2OE!  The kids also combined their divergent thinking and communication skills to select favorite quotes from our novel, Ungifted.  

Novel Study:
We shared a few more of our advice letters to characters in our book.  Then we read a couple of chapters to see what unfolds for our characters.

Remember that we will not have Target on December 5th because of Gifted Eligibility testing.  We'll see the kids on Thursday, December 12th for their Projects!

No homework!  Enjoy your Thanksgiving Break!
​Dr. Kraeger

We started our day using our convergent thinking skills to solve a Versatiles.  

Unit Study:
We conducted another Peer Coaching Session for more feedback.  The kids took this pretty seriously, offering really constructive feedback to help their partner improve game play.

Algebraic Thinking:
We continued our work with Hands On Equations today.  All groups are moving ahead nicely, mastering the current level and ready for more challenge next week.

​Novel Study:
We wrote advice letters to a character from our novel.  They were so creative, with excellent voice!  Then we challenged our critical thinking skills while reading a chapter and playing Kahoot!

Affective Skills:
We created Mission Statements today.  Check them out on our Mission Statement Padlet!  Great job kiddos!  
Then, we continued our Mindfulness Practice with 2 Minute Breathing.

HW:  Edmodo-Game Project Update

Until next time,
​Dr. Kraeger

We started off with a "Waker Upper" to get those convergent thinking skills moving!  

Algebraic Thinking:
We finally jumped back into Hands On Equations to work on our algebraic thinking skills.  The kids did really well, even though it's been a while!  They're ready to move along now!

Unit Study:
The kids worked on creating their games, while conferencing with Ms. Rhone and I to determine progress, next steps, and resolve any difficulties.  We have two class periods left to work before the Game Projects are due, the week of December 9th.

Affective Skills:
We continued our work with Mission Statements by watching a Jason Mraz video, "Have It All," to inspire us.  Next, we reflected on personality and character traits, skills, talents, and goals--also steps to reach those goals!

We continued our Mindfulness Practice with a reminder about how to handle stress or frustration with "Calm Down the Amygdala".  We had a great conversation about real life situations where this strategy might be helpful!

Novel Study:
We used our convergent thinking skills to solve a "Drop Quote" about our book.  Oh, you should have heard the grumbling when we started this puzzle!  They picked up steam and solved that puzzle!  
Later, we independently read a couple of chapters in the book. to prepare for creating our own "Cheating Investigation-Interview".  The results were so funny and very clever!

HW:  Edmodo-Game Project Update

Until next time,
Dr. Kraeger

Our 5th graders enjoyed spending their Halloween day in Target!  This is the third year in a row they have had Target on Halloween!  In honor of that, we started off with a Trick or Treat Logic and a Pumpkin themed Waker Upper.  They rose to the challenge and conquered the morning!

Algebraic Thinking:
We used various strategies to solve a mixture of math word problems.   The kids sometimes get stumped on the fraction problems, but headed to the correct solution after a helpful hint.

Unit Study:
The kids worked on creating their games, using iPads, laptops, colored paper, poster board, and pretty much all of our art supplies!  They are having a blast letting their creativity loose with this project!  Some of the kids are using Gamestar Mechanic to make their video games.  This game requires the kids to play the beginner levels to earn characters and pieces for the game they are creating.  There is no cost for this website, only an email for the free account.

Stations:
We worked our divergent thinking by SCAMPERING a Robot.  The results were incredibly creative!  Check them out by our classroom!

Novel Study:
We read more of our book and challenged our critical thinking with Kahoot questions.  The kids did very well with this!

Affective Skills:
We explored our future goals with a look at Mission Statements.  We watched "I Was Here" to get the kids thinking about the bigger things they might want to be remembered for.  Then the kids analyzed sample mission statements to see similarities and differences.  Finally, they deconstructed a mission statement to what it must contain and what it would not contain.  
We continued our Mindfulness Practice with "2 Minute Relaxation".  ​

HW:  Edmodo
Until next time,
​Dr. Kraeger

The kids started out with a "Waker Upper" to get their creative juices going!

Algebraic Thinking:
We worked on a mixed problem solving page using various math strategies.

Unit Study:
The kids had a Peer Coaching session for feedback on their Game Plan.  They learned some valuable things about their games and got right to work beginning creation.  Please make sure the kids bring any special materials/supplies they need to make their game.  We have plenty of paper (all colors and sizes), but not extras like Game Pieces for players.  

We worked on an October F2OE to stretch their divergent thinking skills. There ideas were INCREDIBLE!  

Affective Skills:
We continued our Mindfulness Practice with Easy 2 Minute Mindfulness.  We also continued our "Future Me" work by choosing a specific "Future Trait" that we wanted to work on with a definition, an example, associated rewards, and an Action Plan to make it happen.  ​

HW:  Edmodo & bring special supplies for Game Creation Project

Until next time,
​Dr. Kraeger

With a short day for Target Class, we got right down to business!  

The kids started by reading the last few pages of the most recent chapter in our book.  They followed that with a critical thinking question.

Next, the kids used their evaluative, divergent, and convergent thinking skills to create and play their own Mancala games.  Thank you for sending in the dried beans and egg cartons.  The games were a hit, although many of the kids devised rule modifications to make the games more exciting.  

The kids also worked to finish their Game Design Plans.  Some were able to get started creating components of their games.  This is great progress for so early in the Unit!  Others forgot to get their Game Project Rubric signed, so look for that this week!  We will be working on these Game Projects about an hour or so each week, until the Due Date of Monday, December 9th.  

Finally, we read another chapter of our novel, stopping during the reading for more evaluative and critical thinking questions.  One memorable question, "What do we mean by someone can be so smart, but can't find their way out of a wet paper bag?"  They got it and the connection to our book!

HW:  Edmodo question
Until next time,
​Dr. Kraeger

We squeezed every last drop out of our learning time today!

The kids started off with an intro to our Game Design Project.  We discussed both the Video Game and Board/Card Game rubrics.  The kids will choose one format and discuss with a parent.  After this, the parent will sign the rubric for the kids to return next week.  The Project Due Date is December 9th.  We will be working on it in class for at least an hour each week.  Outside work may be necessary as the project winds down, if there is too much to finish in class.  Please check out the Project Glog for more information.

We stretched our divergent thinking skills by creating a drawing, title, and description of an imaginary YouTube video we would make.  This goes along with a character in our novel, Ungifted, who discovered YouTube.  The ideas were very interesting!

Novel Study: 
We read  a bit more of our novel and challenged our critical thinking skills with a rousing game of Kahoot.  The kids had a blast, thinking hard to discern the correct answers!  

​Affective skills:
We continued our mindfulness practice with "Kick Logic Back Into Gear".  The kids thought of many really wacky "Worst Case Scenarios" which made the real potential scenarios seem pretty tame by comparison.  This is a great strategy for helping to calm anxiety about performance or competition.

HW:  Bring an Egg Carton or dried beans (if you haven't already).  Learn the rules of Mancala, so we can make and play our own games next week!

Until next time,
​Dr. Kraeger

Our day was off to a great start with a fun "Waker Upper" that got our creative and logical juices flowing!  Some of the kids also finished up their Hidden Picture using ordered pairs to create a picture.

We were VERY lucky to have a group of German Exchange students come from Kell High School to talk with us about Germany.  The kids were fascinated with all the details of German life, asking many insightful questions!  Their curiosity was incredible!  Many of the kids were still talking about the experience later in the day.  Some of them even mentioned wanting to study in Germany during high school.  This was such an amazing opportunity to connect with students from across the ocean!

Unit Study:
We continued our research about games with a video "Crash Course: Game Design" and digging deeper in the computer lab.  We will be discussing our Game Project Rubrics next week.  Those will come home, along with the project due date, to be signed by a parent next week.

Divergent Thinking:
The kids really enjoyed flexing their divergent thinking muscles in creating solutions to Fluency, Flexibility, Originality, and Elaboration tasks related to our Ungifted novel.

Affective Thinking:
​We continued our mindfulness practice with "Mindfulness Bell".  The kids really enjoyed this one! 

Novel Study:
We read a bit more of our book and reviewed the three types of irony.  Then, the kids read another chapter, and identified an example of irony.

HW:  Bring an empty egg carton and/or dried beans within the next couple of weeks.

Until next time!
​Dr. Kraeger