Focus Study: RBQ
First on that list was setting up our notebooks for our RBQs-Research Based Questions. We made title pages and created a Steps to the Research Process organizer. This is safe in our notebooks, so we'll know what to do when we're working on this research project. To learn the process, we'll be working on a mini-research unit about bats. We started by brainstorming "THICK" questions about bats to investigate. These are questions that require research to answer, not simple yes or no questions. Samples of their questions: How are bats similar to humans? Why do bats come out at night? What do bats have in common with birds and mammals? Wow! The kids knocked me out with their high quality, interesting questions today! Yippee! So, we'll pick one to work on as a whole class. That will let us practice the research process. Next, the kids will work in their small groups and research the question they chose together. Later in the semester, each child will choose a question from our RBQ Interest Inventory to research independently.
Convergent Thinking:
Today was our first day working on logic puzzles. The kids did a great job and are ready to move onto a bigger challenge next time. Can't wait to see what they do!
Divergent Thinking:
The drawings & stories from their homework, "What in the World Is It?" were a good start on creativity. Some are learning that the story should be just as creative as the drawing. I can't wait to see this week's assignments about the broccoli dreams!
EDMODO:
Whew....we got all signed up for Edmodo! Today in the lab, the kids created their own student accounts on our class Edmodo group. You should have received an email about how to sign up for the parent Edmodo account. I hope you'll join because it's a great way to stay plugged into what's going on in your child's Target class!
Algebraic Thinking:
Today we tried a VERY challenging math activity called an Exemplar. Our task was about continuing a pattern of different shaped blocks. Not only did the kids have to figure out the number of each shape in the extension of the pattern, they also had to explain how they figured it out. Pretty tough stuff! Not all of them got all the way there, but they worked hard and learned a lot about how to communicate their math learning. Great work!
HW: Broccoli Transformation
Your never perfect, but always doing my best teacher,
Mrs. Kraeger