The kids did a good job getting things moving toward the finish line.  Most were very engaged and productive today in working toward completing those Genius Hour Projects. Some still have quite a bit of work to do this week and in our next class.  You're invited to our Genius Hour Gallery Walk on March 8th and/or 15th, depending on when your child is presenting.  More details next week.

We worked hard on convergent thinking skills with logic puzzles.  Our novel study continued as we read four chapters in Ungifted.  There's big excitement to see what happens next.  All of the different storylines have converged into one gigantic catastrophe at the school dance.  Next week, we'll find out what happens to Donovan and whether Tin Man Metallica Squarepants will survive.

The kids started work on writing personal mission statements by examining several mission statements to compare and contrast important features.

HW:  Edmodo Genius Hour Project Update

Until next week,
​Dr. Kraeger

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Work on our Genius Hour projects went well this week!  The students were able to coach each other to provide feedback on the projects.  Students will have two more weeks in class to work before our Genius Hour Gallery Walks start on March 8th.  It is certainly OK, if students work on their projects at home as well to prepare for March 8th.

We worked our convergent skills through a pretty tough logic puzzle today.  Everyone tried the Grid-Type puzzles, which seemed to be more challenging than the Perplexors most have been choosing to work on.  Next, they worked through some word problems using our Hands On Equations materials and strategies.  These word problems are more challenging because they apply the algebraic thinking skills to real situations, rather than only requiring solving an equation.  It will take much more practice before the students feel comfortable with this type of problem!  Finally, the students stretched their divergent thinking skills by using creativity to transform a heart into something completely different.  If you get a chance to walk by our classroom, check out their work.  The transformations are pretty AMAZING!

We worked on our affective skills through our novel, sharing our self-paragraphs, and completing a "Torn Heart" activity.  As always, this group continues to offer insightful, significant responses to the deep issues we sometimes discuss in Target.  

HW:  Genius Hour Projects!

Enjoy your February Break!
​Dr. Kraeger

Our 5th graders were busy at work on their projects today!  We've collected some good resources for the kids, especially for those working on Claymation or Stop-Motion movies and those writing novels.  Those resources are posted on Edmodo.  Check out the photos of Geniuses at Work:

Convergent & Algebraic Thinking:
We continued to challenge both returning and new students with more difficult logic puzzles to hone those convergent thinking skills.  New students are ready to try tackling those puzzles independently next week!

Hands On Equations went well this week.  We held tight with returning students, giving them an extra week on the current lesson to really solidify learning.  New students continue to make progress as well!

Affective Skills:
We continued our Mindfulness practice with 4-7-8 Breathing.  Give it a try when you need to relax or focus your attention!  

We reviewed Stephen Covey's short video about "80th Birthday", so we could set some goals for our future selves.  It might seem a long way into the future, but it's important to begin with the end in mind! ​

We continued our reading of Ungifted. Donovan thinks he may have a solution to the problem of Summer School for his new gifted friends, which would help him hide out at the Gifted Academy a little bit longer.  Will his sister agree to help?  We followed our reading time with self-introduction paragraphs in the style of the book.  So far, they look amazing!

HW: Complete the "Future Self" goal setting page.

Uniquely yours,
​Dr. Kraeger