Kiker's Strength-Based Learning Cohort

This week was full of exciting things, but our culminating event was Track and Field! Thanks to the PE department for planning such a fabulous event, and thanks to all who came out to help. In reading and language arts, we continued our novel studies, spelling and grammar centers, and poetry. We developed our envisioning skills by reading and writing descriptively. In social studies, we channeled our inner cartographers and applied our knowledge of map features to create our own maps. Second graders loved making maps of their desks. Third graders used a digital tool to create maps of the Kiker playground, and then used an interactive map to create their own map quiz for a classmate. Fourth graders put together an intricate overlay map denoting Texas regions, rivers, and major cities. In math, fourth graders continued talking about multiplication and ways to represent this concept with multidigit factors.  We are becoming more confident with area models, parti

SBLC Cartographers, use this interactive tool to create your quiz: http://nationalgeographic.org/education/mapping/interactive-map/ Create your own map here: http://pbskids.org/catinthehat/games/mappingtool.html If you finish, practice your map skills here: http://nationalgeographic.org/education/multimedia/interactive/maps-tools-find-sunken-treasure/ http://justkidsgames.com/play.php?TreasureHunt

In class, Forrest project block will access the Google Slides: Why do Keyhole Gardens Matter?

We had a visit by a neuroscientist this week and learned so much!  Here are a few quotes from SBLC teammates about what they learned from our own fabulous Dr. Fiete: "Some animals keep their heads still to keep their vision sharp because their neurons don't work as quickly to focus if they move their eyes," Julian said. "Elephants have the most neurons, but their most of those neurons are more motor oriented," Evan reported. We celebrated our learning by donning our brain hats! SBLC mathematicians have all been buzzing about strategies this week.  Our second graders have multiple strategies for addition and subtraction word problems.  These include a traditional algorithm, several fabulous invented strategies for addition with regrouping, number lines, and tape diagrams.  We also used part of the week to review all of our place value learning from the first 9 weeks.  We reminded ourselves about many ways to decom

Use the link below to choose two symbols to include *symbol name *2 facts *quick sketch http://www.enchantedlearning.com/history/us/symbols/ image courtesy of Wikipedia

Thanks so much to all for taking the time to meet with us this week. We are sharing conference notes and are working to get back to you each about any specific concerns or needs that you expressed. If we haven't made contact yet, we will -- it's been a busy week! Thinking about the goals we've shared, the kids have been actively goal setting and thinking about how to make changes that will help us continue the growth trajectory we're on. We've been talking specifically about small changes (like where we sit, our body placement, and moving distractions aside) to ensure that we have optimal focus and attention. We have talked about what we practice (rehearse) becomes habit, and that makes all the difference in our learning (performance). In project, we are discovering information about Keyhole Gardens in preparation for building and planting our very own right here on Kiker campus. Where were they started? Why? What is a Keyhole Garden? How is it different?

Hello, SBLC Citizens! Use the links below to uncover information about the Austin and Texas. Record your findings in complete sentences in your Social Studies Notebook. Some answers may be on the surface and some may be a bit deeper...good luck! Answer questions 1-2 with this link: http://www.austinlibrary.com/ahc/faq1.htm 1. What was the original name of the city of Austin? 2. On what date did Austin officially become the capital of Texas? Answer questions 3-5 with this link: http://www.senate.state.tx.us/kids/matching.htm 3. What is the State Fruit? 4. Draw a picture of the State Flower and label with its name. 5. What is the State Insect? Answer questions 6-8 with this link: http://www.enchantedlearning.com/usa/states/texas/ 6. Name two of the major industries/businesses in Texas. 7. Which Presidents were born in Texas? 8. What are the State Mammals of Texas? Answer questions 9-11 with this link: http://www.senate.state.tx.us/Kids/Trivia.htm 9. What

Observe the images below. Compare and describe what is similar or the same and contrast to describe what is different. Now, use the Double Bubble strategy we practiced for the images below.      

It's been a MIND FULL week of learning and growing our brains! In project, we put the final touches on our draft/critique/feedback presentations for display. We also had the chance to create a product of our choosing to show what we now know about our brain structure and function. Coloring and cutting... Mentors older... and mentors younger... All put on their thinking hats!! Second Grade readers and writers have been hard at work on summarizing narrative text via a new mnemonic, CSERT. We have found that using this system (character, setting, experience/struggle, resolution, and theme/lesson) helps us differentiate between the main idea and details when we are summarizing. We are also starting analyzing our characters. We've been developing seed ideas and creating narratives, as well as keeping up with our building words and spelling centers! Third Grade has jumped in to analyzing poetry in duo with our book, Long Walk to Water. We've been