It was fantastic to have our third graders back with us, especially because we had a few new friends join our class!


Unit Study:
We worked with our Instructional Tech Specialist, Mrs. Hazlett, to begin working on our "Digital Passport".  This will provide basic Digital Safety and Citizenship before we move on to establishing accounts on Edmodo.
We started our intro to Coding with a very basic activity using simple commands to create a shaded picture.

Novel Study:
We read the first chapter of our novel, House of Robots.  The kids love this graphic novel already!  We have quite a few copies, but the book is widely available if your child would like his/her own copy.

Affective Skills:
The kids started off strong with great collaboration to complete the "Marshmallow Challenge".  Our winning tower was 25.5 inches tall!  Wow!
We learned about S.M.A.R.T. goals and also about how our different ways of learning can help us achieve more.  The kids took a Multiple Intelligences Inventory to see their preferred learning styles and possible strengths.  They graphed their results, which helps me to see the preferences and talents in my class.  
The kids also reviewed a Mindfulness technique called "Still Quiet Place".  The kids enjoyed it very much! 

HW:  Create and describe your Breakfastinator 
Until next time,
​Dr. Kraeger

We started out strong with a CSI style Math Mystery: "Who Stole Santa's Sleigh?"  The kids used critical thinking skills to solve addition, multiplication, and fraction problems.  The answers provided clues to eliminate suspects, finally revealing the criminal. 

We continued to use our convergent thinking skills to solve a Holiday Sweets Logic Puzzle.  This was a HARD one, so after giving it a good try, we worked on it together.  With a bit of help, they were able to get it solved!  We also finished up our Hidden Pictures, using ordered pairs to reveal a picture.  Our convergent thinking skills also came in handy for our Holiday Jigsaw Puzzle.  The kids gave it a good go during most of the morning!

Later on, we gained additional information from two more Forensic Stations.  Mrs. Obenschain helped us to analyze a Mystery Stain found at the scene.  We also analyzed the pH of the water found in the ice cube tray and compared it with regular water.  The kids compared the footprints found at the scene with samples of  the suspects' footprints.  After adding this new information to their Data Sheets, the kids formulated theories about the crime.  In the end, they all agreed that it is likely the suspects worked together, so they could get Felix's money.  Great job with the evaluative and convergent thinking there kids!

We wound up our day with a Christmas Mystery to solve, with the help of the Puzzle Club.  The kids enjoyed solving another case to close out our Mystery Unit.  
Target Class will resume the week of January 13th.  I hope you'll join us for the January Target Kick-Off Open House on January 13th, 7:20-8am in the Media Center.   
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Have a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!
Dr. Kraeger

The kids were SO excited to be back together for Target!  

Stations:
We used our mathematical thinking to create "Hidden Pictures" of Holiday Bells.  The kids did a great job on these colorful, festive pictures!  Check them out in our classroom, if you get the chance!  We used our divergent thinking to create solutions for our December F2OE.  Take a look at the awesome creativity outside our room. 
 
Unit Study:
We welcomed Mrs. Lobello back for a visit to help us out with one of our Forensic Stations today.  The kids tested fibers to see what type of fibers were found at the scene of the crime.  We also had Mrs. Obenschain help with testing the pH of the Coca-Cola found at the scene.  The kids had an interesting discovery at the this station.  Finally, the kids used their convergent thinking to decode a Mystery Note found at the scene.  The note has some VERY important information to help us get closer to solving this case.  
We started a Christmas Mystery, called Santa S.O.S.  Then we watched an Encyclopedia Brown Mystery, but didn't quite get to finish it.

No Homework this week.

Until next time,
​Dr. Kraeger

We started our day by finishing up Weighty Words from last week.  

Algebraic Thinking:
We used our critical thinking skills along with our math problem solving to work on a variety of math problems.  The kids learned more about how to figure out the number of possible combinations given two variables with multiple options.

Unit Study:
We watched another Encyclopedia Brown Mystery, pausing to try to solve this one before the solution was revealed.  The kids are definitely getting better at putting the clues together to solve it!

We also used our critical thinking skills to evaluate the evidence and solve "The Backpack Mystery".  The kids enjoyed this mini mystery, which allowed them to practice their detective skills!

Stations:
We used our convergent thinking to solve a Versatiles Puzzle.  We used our divergent thinking to create ideas for our November F2OE.  The ideas were SO creative!  The kids also worked on our two new Weighty Words- Juxtapose and Kleptomaniac.  They are getting so adept at finding images, opening new Word documents, and copying and pasting to those documents.  They are really zooming along with this!  

Remember that we won't have class on December 3rd, because of Gifted Eligibility Testing that week.

No homework!  Enjoy your Thanksgiving Break!
Dr. Kraeger

Since we missed last week, we started right off working hard to make up that time!  

Algebraic Thinking:
We worked on symbolic thinking today with a "Secret Code" math mystery.  It turns out the code was actually a family tree.  The kids were able to discern the relationships between the family members, such as cousins, great-grandparents, and sisters-in-law.  

Stations:
We worked on our next two "Weighty Words"- Heresy and Ingratiate.  These are tough ones to find pictures for.  They are really getting the hang of using Microsoft Word and also how to find good images to represent the word.  We also stretched our convergent thinking with "Thanksgiving Logic".  The kids finished their SCAMPER a Magnifying Glass from last week.  The creativity is incredible!  Finally, we used our evaluative thinking to analyze some evidence from our crime scene.  

Unit Study:
We analyzed some evidence from our "Crime Scene".  The kids smelled a towel found at the scene and matched it against the body sprays/colognes of all the people involved.  They also compared the fingerprints found on the two cups found at the scene with fingerprints of all the people involved.  Finally, they analyzed the DNA Autoradiogram of hair samples from the people involved and the hair found at the scene.  
Later, we watched "Encyclopedia Brown and the Race Car Mystery".  The kids did a good job at noting the clues and trying to solve the mystery before Encyclopedia solved the case.  We started "Encyclopedia Brown and the Ghostly Rider".  The homework pertains to that video.  The kids can watch the rest at home, if they want.  

Affective Skills:
We continued our mindfulness practice with "Mindful Breathing" and "Mindful Minute".  
​We also read Too Many Tamales and discussed what character traits were shown in the story characters.

HW: E.B. Response
​Until next time,
Dr. Kraeger

Whoa!  What a day we had!  Our day started off normally, but then...

Unit Study:
We walked down the Professional Learning Room and discovered a "Crime Scene"!  It seems that poor "Felix Navidad" has died.  There were many clues at the scene, so the kids recorded their observations to discuss later.  When we got back to the room, we shared our observations and learned about the possible suspects.  The kids are SO fascinated with the elements of this mystery!  They can't wait to dive into it next time!

The kids also worked on their Mystery Stories with many recording their stories for our "Mystery Story Theater".  I hope you check it out!

Novel Study:
We finished our book, The Big Bad Detective Agency.  It appears that there may be a second in this series, so maybe your kiddo would like to read it.  

Algebraic thinking;
We combined our convergent thinking with math skills to solve some Ciphers and figure out the secret codes.  Too much fun!

Stations:
The kids used their convergent thinking skills and also knowledge of the english language to solve a coded message.  Oooh, it was hard, and they LOVED it!

HW:  Mystery Reflection

Until next time,
​Dr. Kraeger

We started our day with our Mystery Stories and catching up on unfinished work.  The kids worked during the day to record their Mystery Stories in our Mystery Story Theater on Flipgrid.  I hope you'll check it out when you're at school, just hover over the QR code on the Poster by our Classroom. Or you can look for a link in next week's Blog.  

Algebraic Thinking:
We combined our mathematical skills with critical thinking to play Qwirkle today.  The kids did a great job learning and evaluating various strategies to achieve higher scores.

Stations:
We used our convergent thinking to solve another Mystery Logic Puzzle.  The kids stretched their divergent thinking to SCAMPER a Magnifying Glass.  The results were SO creative!  

Unit Study:
We finished our Fingerprint Analysis by checking samples from a few friends in class.  Later, we researched Cryptology learning about codes and ciphers and the differences between them.  The kids used their new knowledge to solve a Mini Mystery-"Who Robbed the Safe?"  They did a good job analyzing the fingerprint samples from each of the suspects to narrow down to a final culprit!

HW:  Exit Slip

Until next time,
​Dr. Kraeger

We got off to a good start today!  

We worked on our Mystery Stories, hopefully the kids will finish writing them by next week.  We'll start recording the stories next week for our Mystery Story Theater.  

Next, we stretched our critical thinking and algebraic thinking with a mixed problem solving activity.  The kids did a good job on this today.

Stations:
We worked our convergent thinking with a VERY challenging logic puzzle about stolen money and a bank.  The kids also worked on their Fingerprint Webquest and writing their Mystery Stories.

HW:  Continue writing Mystery Story on Office 365.  

Until next time,
​Dr. Kraeger

The kids started off strong by finishing up incomplete work and warming up their thinking skills with convergent thinking activities like jigsaw puzzles, checkers, and chess.

Algebraic Thinking:
We worked on a different type of math problem today, involving logical thinking, ordinal directions, and map skills.  Some of the kids got it independently, while others were able to get it with some support.

Stations:
We used our communication and evaluative thinking skills to find solutions to our Fingerprints Webquest.  The kids also used convergent thinking to solve a mystery logic puzzle: "The Case of the Broken Window".  

Unit Study:
The kids learned about fingerprint patterns and how to analyze the patterns by taking their own fingerprints.  They had such fun with this!  We'll work more on this next week.
We spent a good chunk of time typing our mystery stories on Office 365.  The kids are getting really good at logging into their accounts and opening their stories to continue work.  They can work on their stories anyplace with internet access.  It's easy:

1. Go to Chalker's Home Page
2. Click Media Center
3. Click Office 365 Support on the left side of the screen
4. Click to Sign In to Office 365 (on the Left, under Students/Parents)
5. Your child's username is in this format:  first.last@students.cobbk12.org 
6. The password is the same password your child uses to log-in to a computer when at school.

Hope this helps!

Affective skills:
We continued our mindfulness practice with "Kick Logic Back Into Gear".  The kids thought of many really wacky "Worst Case Scenarios" which made the real potential scenarios seem pretty tame by comparison.  This is a great strategy for helping to calm anxiety about performance or competition.

HW:  Work on Mystery Story (Doesn't need to be finished by Tuesday)
Until next time,
Dr. Kraeger

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We got off to a good start this week!  Lots of wonderful learning!

Unit Study:
We had so many fantastic learning experiences with our Mystery Unit.  The kids read and reviewed a peer's story and gave feedback. They are making good progress in typing their stories on their Office 365 Word Documents.  Later, we did a really fun activity with my Echo Device- "Scooby Doo Mystery Theater".  The kids loved taking turns with this interactive "Choose Your Own Story" mystery!  Directions to try this at home. with your Echo Device.

Novel Study:
We read a bit more of our novel.  Ooh-the kids are dying to find out who ransacked the 3 Little Pigs' house!

Stations:
We challenged our Convergent thinking skills with a choice of two different types of logic puzzles.  Our divergent thinking skills were stretched by creating a picture, title, and summary of our favorite part of our novel so far.  The pictures are so funny!  You should check them out by our classroom next week!

Algebraic Thinking:
We worked on a VERY challenging Math Problem Solving activity involving calculating the combinations of socks that would result in a matching pair, given 2 different colors, then 4 colors, then 5 colors.  The biggest challenge were creating a rule that would apply no matter how many different colors of socks there are.  That was a tough one!  The final activity was to determine how many possible socks must be drawn to get a match of two green socks given 5 colors to choose from.  We created a chart to solve this one.  Not everyone got there in thinking, but it is fantastic exposure to higher level math concepts!

Affective Thinking:
​We continued our mindfulness practice with "Mindfulness Bell".  The kids really enjoyed this one! 

HW:  Reflect on "The Scooby Doo Mystery Theater"

Until next time,
​Dr. Kraeger

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