International Night

 

Don’t forget!

Thursday, November 15th is International Night.

Join us at school from 5:30 to 7:30PM for presentations, entertainment, food, and fun.

A Warm Fuzzies Celebration

 Last week the students finished filling the warm fuzzy jar for the second time. Last time they knew we were going to have 20 minutes of additional recess as the celebration of their hard work. This time, I chose to keep the celebration a surprise.

After completing a math facts quiz and a multiplication facts pre-test, the students were given several options for dinosaur activities (we had discussed dinosaurs in science). There were several dozen photographs of dinosaur exhibits, coloring sheets of dinosaurs with matching bone sheets for underneath, word searches, numerous books, a writing activity, and model building. The model was the highlight of the afternoon although all the activities were enjoyed.

The model comes with very few instructions. I will admit it is difficult to construct. At first all I heard was: this was impossible,  there had to be missing pieces, it was too hard. I got the first group of girls started, and they slowly began making progress. They were very pleased. When they left for music lessons, the next group analyzed the work that had been done. After careful analysis, they rearranged some pieces. After the large pieces were placed to their satisfaction, the real task began. How did all those tiny pieces fit together? This led to comments like: Wait, doesn’t this need to go here? How do these leg bones fit together? Do you think he will stand on his own? Look! The jaws can move!

As a teacher, it was very exciting to sit on the sidelines and listen and observe. This truly was a moment for the class. They were tackling a difficult problem together! They were not giving up. There was construction and deconstruction and reconstruction happening at a surprising rate.

The dinosaur is not finished. The class will continue to work on it tomorrow during math (critical thinking skills are definitely cross-curricular!). When they finish the t-rex, I am bringing out the pteranodon---an even more difficult model! Once they are completed, they will be on display in the classroom. Be sure to stop in for a look.

My job now is to look for the next group thinking project. Should you have any ideas, do not hesitate to share!