Sometimes you just need a fresh breeze and a ray of sunshine...  Come on in!
 Kraeger's
 Kids
  • HOME
  • Target Glog
  • Genius Hour Project Ideas
  • First Grade Friends
  • Third Grade Thrills
  • Fourth Grade Findings
  • The Fifth Grade Files
  • Cool Web Resources
  • Interactive Museum Websites
  • Science Websites & Fun
  • Math Websites
  • About Me

Moving Along!

8/31/2018

0 Comments

 
We started our day with some creativity by making Word Clouds using Tagxedo.  Check it out in your child's Target Folder.  Please make sure you sign your child's Assignment Sheet each week.  

Unit Study:
Onward with our Games Unit!  The kids enjoyed another "Crash Course Games-Psychology of Games".  We also learned about the Power of Games from a Ted Talk with Jane McGonigal.  So, if you want to add more time to your life, just watch the video and follow her advice!  We'll be analyzing and evaluating board games in class next week.  Students should bring a (non-electronic) Board Game to play.

Novel Study:
We carried on with The Fourteenth Goldfish.  The kids discovered the setting of the book and also how Grandpa turned into a teenager.  Interesting science stuff tucked into this novel!
​
Algebraic Thinking:
We jumped right into Hands On Equations with several groups to get everyone started.  Our beginner group is making good progress, and we'd like them to stop in during CME next week to work on some HOE Algebra lessons to make even quicker progress. Once that happens, we'll be able to add them to our next group to learn the more advanced skills from HOE Level 2.  Our returning kids reviewed a bit from Level 2 and one group is diving right in to Level 3, which is our most challenging part of HOE.  This will be excellent preparation for Middle School algebra!

Affective Skills:
We continued our Mindfulness Practice with a breathing exercise, 4-7-8 Breathing.  Most of the kids found this pretty challenging, but did much better after the second try.  This is a good way to relax or help quiet the mind at bedtime.

We also had an lesson focused on pursuing your dreams, not wasting time with regrets.  The kids really enjoyed the video that we shared, "Seize the Day".  They even sang along on the last chorus!  Our discussion of the meaning of the song lyrics and how those ideas can impact your life was really strong.  
​
HW:  Edmodo Question & Bring a Board Game

Until Next Time,
Dr. Kraeger

​
0 Comments

On the Path To Learning!

8/23/2018

0 Comments

 
We got our day off to a good start with a divergent thinking activity.  The kids described what school would be like without Target.  The answers were funny, creative, and definitely 100% kid!  Check them out by our classroom!

We had a blast with our Target Scavenger Hunt using a new app, called Goosechase.  The kids worked in teams to answer questions and complete missions around the school, including getting a picture of someone juggling.  Who knew Mr. Jones could juggle?
​
Unit Study:
We continued our work on Games!  The kids enjoyed another "Crash Course Games" about Board Games.  They continued their research with some notetaking from several websites about Board Games.

Novel Study:
We continued our reading of The Fourteenth Goldfish.  The kids were delighted when our main character discovered that the surly teenager, who showed up at their house, was actually her grandfather!  Stay tuned to see how THAT happened!
​
Algebraic Thinking:
We began our math work with a short review of Hands On Equations, Level 2.  After that, we took a Pre-test to assess our knowledge from Level 2, before placing kids in appropriate learning groups for our math time.  The groups are flexible, so if a child makes quick progress, he/she can move to a more challenging group.  Likewise, if the pace is too quick, we can find a group with a bit slower pace.

Divergent Thinking:
We stretched our brains in creative ways with our first F2OE of the year.  We reviewed what Fluency, Flexibility, Originality, and Elaboration are.  The kids liked the variety of tasks and rated which they found easiest and hardest.  We'll do variations of this task throughout the year to help us grow our creativity.

Affective Skills:
We continued our Mindfulness Practice with a breathing exercise, 4-7-8 Breathing.  Most of the kids found this pretty challenging, but did much better after the second try.  This is a good way to relax or help quiet the mind at bedtime.

A Quick Note about Edmodo:
I only assign one question for Homework each time.  The kids will see it at the top of their posts.  Edmodo sends out an optional Question of the Day.  The kids don't have to answer that,--it's just for fun.  I'll be sending home Parent Sign-Up forms for Edmodo next week.

HW:  Edmodo Question

Until Next Time,
Dr. Kraeger
0 Comments

Kicking off a New Target Year!

8/16/2018

0 Comments

 
We had a blast getting our day started filling a bulletin board of our Target Wishes.  We created our own Name Cards and had a few minutes to play Chess or Checkers.

Next, we worked on our evaluative thinking, Creative Problem Solving, and collaboration with the Move the Pasta Challenge. The kids learned a lot about what works and what doesn't.  It was interesting to see how they did with new constraints added, since they tried this activity last August.

We learned about a new strategy called "Sketchnoting".  Here's a video for your information about what's behind this method and why I think it may helpful for the kids to learn.  Their preview video was a short clip showing the how/why of sketchnoting.  We learned how to draw different types of people today: i people, h people, bean people, and star people.  And YES, I drew too--even though I am NOT an artist!  We practiced our sketchnoting skills by creating a Rules & Procedures for the Target Classroom page in our Notebooks.  The kids are enjoying getting started with this idea.

After lunch, we focused our attention with some Mindfulness Practice.  We'll do this each week to find ways to relax our minds.

We also watched an introduction to our Games Unit.  "Crash Course Games #1" was a perfect kick-off to our unit.  Stay tuned for more news of Types of Games, Purpose of Games, Ancient Games,  and all things Game related!!

Finally, we signed up for Edmodo accounts.  The kids have written their username and passwords on a card to take home.  If they try to type it as written and they still have trouble, please have them stop by the Target room for me to reset the password.  

HW:  Edmodo-Watch "Crash Course Games-Ancient Games" and take notes

Until next time,
​Dr. Kraeger
0 Comments

    Author

     Fifth grade was the year I learned all about dolphins, read EVERY Beverly Cleary book, and made brownies from scratch. YUM!

    Archives

    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.