Our day got off to a good start with some fluency and flexibility to challenge our brains! 

We hit the ground running with Hands On Equations.  They kids are definitely picking up steam with their algebraic thinking, now that they're warmed-up and ready to move ahead!

Unit Study:
We opened our unit work with a fun improv game called, "Alien, Tiger, Cow".  The kids really liked it and got good at it pretty quickly.  Then we moved to learning about theme in literature and movies with a BrainPop video and game.  Following that, we worked to summarize the main points of a scene from Romeo and Juliet, both the original version and a modern version of the same scene.  The kids will work in small groups to do their own take on this scene next week.

Affective skills:  
We started some goal setting lessons with a video called "Seize the Day".  The kids even sang along a bit, pretty neat stuff!  

Novel Study:
The kids really enjoyed these two chapters, especially the discussion where we explored why the United States becomes involved with some wars that don't directly impact our country.  The kids asked some insightful questions and made some powerful connections between the war in Afghanistan and the Vietnam War, while touching a bit on the Korean War.  I love the way they really jump into these deep topics!

HW:  Edmodo-Brainstorm a topic for our R & J scene.

Until next week,
​Dr. Kraeger

We had a busy day of learning in Target!
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Algebraic Thinking Skills:
We started our Hands On Equations work for this year with a group beginning the Level3, another group reviewing basics of stars vs. pawns, and the final group starting at the beginning with Level 1.  They got off to a good start with their math work today!

Unit Study:
Later on, we picked up work on the Shakespeare Tic-Tac-Toe Menu Project. The kids choose 3 mini projects to complete (row, column, or diagonal).  We are looking forward to seeing all the finished projects next week in Target.  The project choice menu is on Edmodo, if the kids need it.

We also continued our vocal warm-ups and tableaux practice, this time with more complicated scenes.  This was perfect to prepare the kids for acting out scenes from Romeo and Juliet, after we read a summary of the play together.  Their take on these scenes was fantastic!  Check out the photos below!

Affective Skills:
We practiced our mindfulness with Still, Quiet Place and Listening Practice.

Novel Study:
We read more of our novel today, discussing how people can have different impressions of the same event.  

Until next time,
​Dr. Kraeger

We had a fabulous second Target Class!  These kids are ready for learning and new experiences!  

Unit Study:
We started our day with a Shakespeare Tic-Tac-Toe Menu Project.  The kids will choose 3 mini projects to complete (row, column, or diagonal).  They were so excited to be working that they didn't want to stop.  Can you imagine my happiness when I heard, "Do we have to stop working on this Shakespeare Timeline?  I really want to keep working!  This is fun!"  LOVE, LOVE, LOVE these kiddos!  Check out their fantastic responses to our Unit Kick Off Question on FlipGrid: Shakespeare Kick-Off.  In the afternoon, we continued our practice with vocal warm-ups and creating a tableaux.  
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Algebraic Thinking Skills:
Later we we dusted off our Algebraic Thinking Skills with a quick review of important concepts from Hands On Equations Level2, followed by a pre-test to check existing knowledge and readiness.   This will help us form groups based on readiness for learning our new concepts.

Convergent Thinking Skills:
We managed to squeeze in a little work on our convergent thinking with a logic puzzle.  Some needed a little revision to get to a successful solution.  Not to worry, though!  They're just knocking off the rust and getting those brains back in shape.  Next week, they'll do a great job! 

Affective Skills:
​We did a teamwork challenge called "5 Elbows"--a fun movement activity. Check out the photos below!
Our Mindfulness Practice continued with 4-7-8 Breathing. This gives the kids a breathing pattern to use for focusing attention, calming down, or relaxing. 

Novel Study:
We continued our reading of Operation Yes! The book is a complex text, filled with figurative language, unfamiliar vocabulary, puns, and challenging narrative structure.  The kids are loving it because it's funny!  It's a great tie-in with our Shakespeare Unit with all the references to acting, drama, and theatrical techniques.  

HW:  Work some on the Shakespeare Tic-Tac-Toe Project.  It is available on Edmodo.  We'll be working on these projects again next week in class.

Until next time,
​Dr. Kraeger

We had a fun-filled, exciting first day of Target!  

We started our day with a team-building activity called "Pasta Race".  The kids worked in groups to move spaghetti from one side to the other using only 2 foam plates--without touching the pasta! The results were interesting, to say the least!  

The kids signed up for Edmodo, and I can tell they are excited about it already!  We also finished our Tagxedos for the front of our Target notebooks.

Later we worked on starting the basics of our Interactive Target Notebooks.  The kids did a good job making their notebooks unique and getting ready for our work together.  

We got a sneak peek at our new Shakespeare Unit.  The kids are excited about what's coming next for this unit!  To begin getting ready for all the acting we'll do later, we learned some vocal warm-ups and also learned how to do a "Tableaux".  Ask your kiddo about what that is and how it went today! 

We also practiced a bit of mindfulness with Til the Thinker & Widdle the Worrier and Clouds.

We started our unit by reading a bit of our book, Operation YES!  

HW:   Edmodo

Until next week,
Dr. Kraeger