We started our new unit, Ultimate Connections, off with a pre-test to assess background knowledge and a Bridge Simulation Activity.  The students were placed in different societies with varying resources and food items.  They needed to figure out ways to sustain life by trading.  They learned quickly the importance of bridges!  Check out the fun below:

Later on, we worked on algebraic thinking with a review of our Hands-On-Equations assessments.  Those went home today.  You may want to take a look.  They are not used for grading purposes, more to gauge understanding.  Some of the kids have some work to do in developing more mastery of the concepts.

We also worked on convergent thinking with syllogisms and word ladders.  After our review session last week, we hope there is more success with the syllogisms this week.  

We read more in our novel and used critical thinking to completing a reading activity.  We took our reading out to the Nature Trail seating area, which the kids really enjoyed!

We continued our work on affective skills with a short video about Growth Mindset and an exit slip to cement understanding of the concepts.

Enjoy your Spring Break--No homework!

Until next time,
​Dr. Kraeger

After the fast and furious pace of the last few weeks of getting ready for Genius Hour, it was good to take a slightly slower pace this week.

We worked through assessing algebraic thinking with leveled Hands-On-Equations assessments this week.  We'll have the results back next week.

We worked on logical thinking with a hands-on activity called Versatiles.  The kids enjoy this different format for convergent thinking practice.  We also continued our novel reading with some reading response activities involving inferences and other critical thinking skills.  

As a nod to one of students who is "Catastic", the kids stretched their divergent thinking skills with a creative task-"Here Kitty, Kitty!"  

We finished our mission statements and also strengthened our focus through our mindfulness practice with Cloud Breathing.

We'll be starting our new unit, Bridges, next week.

HW:  Edmodo Question about Bridges

Until next week,
Dr. Kraeger

It was a FANTASTIC start to our Genius Hour Gallery Walk!  The kids who presented did a wonderful job!  Look for a special blog about Genius Hour, complete with videos, photos, and weblinks late next week.  We are really looking forward to seeing the rest of our presentations next week.  Parents are invited to join us next Tuesday, March 15th from 8-8:45am.  
Student Presenters:
Chris M
Aly & Juliette
Alex
Emma
Jordan & Abbie
Godwin, Aryan, & Gavin
Katie
Ivery & Matthew
Trinity & Hibah
Will C
Kenneth
Louie & Christian T
William L

After Genius Hour Gallery Walk, we tackled algebraic thinking with more word problems, convergent thinking with syllogisms and word ladders, and critical thinking with a reading response activity.

We continued our work on goal setting with a mindmap.  Later, we practiced our mindfulness with a Breathing Exercise video.

​Finally, we continued our novel reading with critical thinking questions on Kahoot!  The kids did well, and really enjoy the game format for the question session!

HW:  Gallery Walk Reflection Question on Edmodo

Until Next Week,
​Dr. Kraeger
​

In class work on Genius Hour concluded today!  The kids are welcome to come to the Target rooms during Morning Enrichment, if they need to work more before Genius Hour Gallery Walks.  Here are details of the Genius Hour Gallery Walks:  March 8th & 15th, 8am-8:45 in the Target Rooms, Parents welcome!

The rest of our day was filled with word problems to test our algebraic thinking, novel reading, critical thinking questions, and self-evaluation questions preparing for our mission statement creation.

Spring is in the air, and it certainly showed in our students today!  It was hard for them to get organized and settle down to work.  Let's hope they jump back on track for class next week!

We hope to see you at our Genius Hour Gallery Walk on March 8th or 15th.

Until then,
​Dr. Kraeger