We started our day by completing our Weighty Word for letter R.  The kids are definitely getting more adept at choosing images to capture the meaning of the words.

Unit Study:
We learned more about Debugging with our Code.org lesson and video.  The kids got a chance to practice their programming skills with a Robot Mission.  They programmed their robots to tell a Knock-Knock Joke.  So much fun!  

Algebraic thinking:
We watched our Hands On Equations Lesson 5 video that reviews combining terms.  The kids did a good job applying this skill in their Lesson 5 Practice Page.

Affective Skills:
We investigated various definitions of Fairness.  The kids evaluated the definitions and choose one that made the most sense to them.  After they divided into these groups, each group shared why they chose that definition.  We discussed various scenarios from our class, and how each one would fit with the chosen fairness definitions.  They came to some interesting conclusions!  
We continued our mindfulness practice with "2 Minute Mindfulness".  So calming!

Stations:
We stretched our divergent thinking skills with a Robot Transformation.  The kids came up with incredibly creative ideas!  Love the way they can think of so many different, unusual ideas.  

Novel Study:
We read several more chapters in our book, finding out that E is back in action and can do tricks on his bike!  Too bad Sammy can't do those kinds of tricks!

No homework!  Enjoy your Spring Break!

Until next time,
​Dr. Kraeger

We started off strong with a few kids finishing up the Weighty Word from last week.  Most of the class had fun with chess, checkers, and other convergent thinking games.

Unit Study:
We learned to "Debug" our code by playing "Relay Programming" today.  The kids did a FANTASTIC job coding almost everything accurately and catching the few bugs that were made.  Later, we programmed our Robots to go on "Security Patrol".  So much fun!  We even have a few kids working on Scratch.com to learn more coding on their own!

Stations:
We read our new Weighty Word for the week- Raucous.  The kids found so many perfect pictures for this word!  I can't wait to see the finished products!
We also stretched our divergent thinking with a March F2OE.  The kids used creativity to solve tasks in Fluency, Flexibility, Originality, and Elaboration.  I love the ideas they come up with!  So clever and WAY out of the box!

Affective Skills:
We watched a video about Wisdom and discussed various kinds of wisdom.  We also reflected on a time when we showed wisdom.  
We continued our Mindfulness Practice with "Mindful Bell" and "2 Minute Mindfulness".  

Novel Study:
We read a few more chapters in our book and answered a couple of critical thinking questions.  One involved a prediction.  We'll see if their ideas were right next week!

HW:  Edmodo Poll

Until next time,
​Dr. Kraeger

We started our day with our Weighty Word Ostracize.  Just about everybody got it done!  Later on, we read our new Weighty Word, Paradox.  Creating these visual representations of the words helps the kids make strong connections to the meanings.  It also gives them a chance to become more fluent with their technology skills.  Today we practiced sharing a document on Office 365.  The kids all shared their Weighty Word with me.  A remarkable thing happened later.  One of the kids used a prior word, expedient, when describing why we use loops in programming.  LOVE that connection!

We shared our "I Wonder" projects today!  The kids did an excellent job!  I didn't offer a grade sheet for this project because my expectations were simple: Did your love of learning show in this project?  and Were you prepared to present on your topic?  The answer for EVERY child who presented today was a resounding YES!!!  I am always amazed at the variety of topics the kids choose to research.  They are an interesting and curious bunch of learners for sure!
​
Unit Study:
We completed the "Night Surveillance" Mission with our robots!  The kids were very excited to program the robots to survey the area, turn on the headlight, and have the robot return to the starting place.  They did a great job with this mission!  Next, we worked more on using loops in our coding.  The kids completed Stage 8 on Course 2 of Code.org.  They all really enjoy the coding and programming.  It surprises us every year how much the kids love it!  

Stations:
We used our divergent thinking to finish our "Missing Mom" posters from our House of Robots book.  The kids came up with some hilarious ideas for their posters!  Check them out by our classroom!  We also learned a new math strategy game, BACON.  Several small groups had a chance to play.  Next time, we'll play the game whole class.  It's a blast!

Novel Study:
We read a bit more of our book.  We stopped in the middle to share our favorite words, just like in the book.  We also made predictions about what the creepy black SUV is doing outside the house all the time.  

Affective:
We continued our Mindfulness Practice with "66 Second Story" to show how mindfulness can help us turn a bad start into a good day.  

HW:  Edmodo

Until next time,
Dr. Kraeger

The day started with kiddos catching up on their Weighty Word-Ostracize.  Other kids played logic games.

Our first task was to read about our Weighty Word for this week- "Paradox".  Then the kids worked on creating their visual images for their words using Brittannica Image Quest and Word Online.  

Convergent thinking:
We were very lucky to have a visit from Kids' Chess today.  They do a fantastic job of teaching kids the basics of chess.  The kids are grouped by prior experience and given the opportunity to use the new moves they just learned in mini games.  It was a HUGE hit!  

Unit Study:
The kids worked on a Code.org lesson to learn more about using Loops in programs.  They had a chance to practice this strategy in the lesson.

Novel Study:
We read a bit more of our book, and found out a bit more about some mysterious things going on in the book.

HW:  "I Wonder" Project
 
Until next time,
Dr. Kraeger