We had a fantastic day of learning!  It was so good to welcome a couple of classmates back into the building today!

Unit:
We continued our Cardboard Creations.  The kids will have one more class period to build their Creation.  We'll share them on May 13th.  Please make sure your child brings any materials necessary to finish their project next class.

Algebraic Thinking:
The kids did a good job with two difficult lessons today!  They are plowing through some challenging concepts.  So proud of their hard work and perseverance with this math!

Stations:  
We used our convergent thinking to solve a choice of logic puzzles.  Apparently the Perplexor wasn't perplexing enough because they all zoomed right through it.  Guess I'll have to find a more challenging puzzle for next class!  
Next, we used our divergent thinking to transform a box.  Their creations are full of clever ideas!  Finally, we finished and shared our new endings for our novel.  The kids did a good job, especially with using the character's voice in their writing!

Target Class is Tuesday next week because of Milestone Testing.
HW: Finish Logic and/or Box Transformation

Until next time,
​Dr. Kraeger

The kids were up to the Challenge, the Cardboard Challenge, that is!  

Algebraic Thinking:
We continued our work on Hands On Equations with two new lessons.  One group worked on using all of the many strategies they've learned to simply and solve complex equations.  The other group learned a new strategy to simplify equations.  

Unit Study:
The kids jumped right into our Cardboard Challenge this week!  Most remembered to bring cardboard and other recycled material as well as duct tape or craft glue to begin building their creations.  Kids who haven't brought in material should bring cardboard (boxes, cereal boxes, old file folders, etc) next week.

Stations:
The kids used their convergent thinking to solve a logic puzzle.  Then, they used their divergent thinking to create solutions for our Earth Day F2OE.  The results were incredible! 

Target Class will switch to Friday next week because of Milestones Testing.  

Homework: Bring Cardboard & finish Logic/F2OE if not done

Until next time,
​Dr. Kraeger

Another great day of learning and laughs here in Target!

Algebraic Thinking:
I may have stumped these kids with our latest Hand on Equations lesson.  They soldiered on and made it through.  We'll review those concepts next week before moving on.

Affective Skills:
We read the true story of Wilma Rudolph's early life and Olympic success.  Then we discussed how perseverance helped her and can help us reach our goals.  The kids chose an accountability partner to help them with their goals.

Unit Study:
We kicked off our Cardboard Challenge with several short inspirational videos.  The boy who inspired the Global Cardboard Challenge is quite a kid!  We planned our creations and made Materials Lists.  The kids will bring materials next week to start building their creations.  We'll be working on Cardboard Challenge for the next three classes.  

Stations:
We stretched our convergent thinking skills with a 14th Goldfish Cryptogram. The kids worked hard to solve it!  Then they used their creativity to solve the challenges on the April F2OE.  Check out their work below!

No Homework
Until next time,
Dr. Kraeger

What a wonderful day we had!  

Unit Study:
Genius Hour Project Presentations were very good today!  The kids did a good job sharing their learning.  They also evaluated their peers' projects and the unit as a whole.  I'm interested to see their feedback!

Algebraic Thinking:
We moved on to new concepts in both groups.  My group is about halfway through Level 3. They are deep into adding/subtracting positive and negative numbers.  Ms. Rhone's group is learning about using "Convenient Zeros" to add or subtract the same thing from both sides of the equation.  

Stations:
We created Epilogues for our novel.  The kids are filled with innovative ideas as to what might happen next!  The kids also used their divergent thinking to draw their favorite scene from the book.  They really captured some funny parts!

Affective:
We continued our work on Goal Setting and "protecting our dreams".  It was a very productive lesson for these kids!  I can tell they're thinking hard about how to make their big dreams come true.

Have a fantastic Spring Break!
Dr. Kraeger