We started our day by finishing up some Hands On Equations and playing some learning games.

Algebraic Thinking:
We used our mathematical and critical thinking to solve a variety of challenging word problems.  They were more difficult than the kids first thought and required a second look for many.

Convergent Thinking:
We learned a new puzzle using convergent thinking-"Drop Quotes".  The kids loved trying to figure out the quotes from our book!
We also used our convergent thinking to solve jigsaw puzzles, play Qwirkle, and play chess.  The kids are also developing their communication and collaboration skills during these game sessions.

Novel Study:
We read a bit more of our novel, finishing up by using our evaluative thinking to answer some questions about the chapters.

​Divergent Thinking:
The kids were super creative using their divergent thinking to make some marvelous Egg Transformations!  Check them out on the Bulletin Board, if you head down our way! 

Affective Skills:
We continued our work on character traits with a short video and discussion of friendship, including the qualities that make a good friend.  The kids did a good job on the reflections following our discussion.

No HW!

Have a wonderful Spring Break!
​Dr. Kraeger

It was fantastic to be back with these wonderful kiddos today!  I have missed them terribly!

We started our day with a Versatiles activity to warm up our convergent thinking skills.  It was pretty challenging for some of the kids!

Unit Study:
We moved on to our lessons with Code.org to learn about Conditional Statements.  We started off with a fun activity called "Conditional Card Games".  The kids made up their own conditional statements, including the actions to take if the statement was true or false.  It was a riot seeing them play!  We had kids doing jumping jacks, sit-ups, clapping, flapping like chickens, saying their names 3 times, and lots of other fun stuff!  They followed this game with some practice activities using conditional statements on Code.org.  There was a glitch with a few of the later activities, so they can be finished up at home or at school if the kids want to do that.

We got our robots into action with more convergent thinking to program them for an Alien Encounter.  The kids enjoyed programming the robots to deliver a snack, pretend or real!  

Algebraic Thinking:
We reviewed the important concepts from Hands On Equations Lesson 6-Using Parentheses.  This lesson sets the kids up for using this concept throughout the following 2 years in our Hands On Equations program.  They did very well with it today!

Novel Study:
We read a few more chapter of our book, finding out that Sammy is braver and better at dodgeball than he ever thought!  The kids enjoyed the reading and ended with some thoughts about what it means to be perfect and whether it's all it's cracked up to be.

Affective Skills:
We continued our mindfulness practice with 66 Second Story and Cloud Breathing.  Then we checked out more about Self-Discipline with a Book of Virtues episode featuring King Midas.

HW:  Wisdom Exit Slip

Until Next Time,
Dr. Kraeger