Our day got off to a late start because of Milestones Testing.  Once we finally got the kids, we were able to tackle some of our novel.  They enjoyed a snack treat and listening to some of the story.  Next we worked on convergent thinking with some number pattern puzzles.  These were REALLY challenging, and the kids enjoyed them very much!  

We spent a good chunk of time finishing up Frog research and starting projects.  I'm looking forward to some FANTASTIC projects!

Before we knew it, time to go to lunch!  After that we had recess and finished up with more reading in our novel.  Wow!  What excitement in the book--the two arch-rival Robotics teams had the ultimate face-off with both getting disqualified.  If that weren't enough, the main character's sister went into labor right in the middle of the Robotics Mayhem and they all had to leave to take her to the hospital!  

Remember, 5th Grade Target is on Monday next week because of the Chattanooga Trip.

HW:  Edmodo
Until next time,
​Dr. Kraeger
  

Whew!  What a day!  We kept the kids moving ALL day long, which was good because they were pretty squirrelly with Milestones starting this week.  
We started off with Frog Activities including a Frog SCAMPER (using our divergent thinking), A Pond of Your Own (visual problem solving), and "Chattahoochee Zoo" (logic puzzle-convergent thinking).  We also spent a good chunk of time finishing up Frog research and starting projects.  I'm looking forward to some FANTASTIC projects!

We worked one last time on our Hands On Equations to stretch those skills with our various word problems.  Hopefully, a little of it sinks in!

Finally, we worked on our novel.  We created a poster with our favorite quotes from the book and then read a couple of chapters.  For the first chapter, we played a Kahoot "Ghost Game" against last year's 5th grade class.  That class led the game for the first 2 questions, but finally we had 3 kiddos break into the top 5 scores.  Way to go!

We'll pick the kids up for Target after testing next Tuesday.

HW: Edmodo
Until next week, 
Dr. Kraeger

The kids were ready to get back to work today!  We started with a Frog Logic Puzzle, followed by reviewing our Frog Project Rubric to clarify expectations for this project.  You can take a look at the details on Frog Project Rubric.  The Project is due on May 16th, with a Gallery Walk that day.  More details about that to come!  We also spent time researching our frogs with a several finishing and moving on to creating the project.

The kids continued sharpening their algebraic thinking skills by solving word problems.  Even though most won't master these word problems, the exposure and practice are valuable as the kids delve more deeply in to algebra later on.

We read a few chapters in our novel, including a "Ghost Game" of Kahoot.  The Ghost Game requires not only critical thinking, but also speed of response, since this year's class is trying to beat the scores of last year's Fifth Grade Target students.  Last year's class was in the lead for the first two questions, but this year's class finally pulled in front on the final question!  We also used our divergent thinking skills to invent a "Wake-Up Machine" in our creative problem solving task.  The kids had to create a device that would wake up the main character from our book.  Check out their clever ideas outside our classroom!

HW:  Edmodo-Frog Project Choice
Until Next Time,
Dr. Kraeger