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Fun in the SBLC May 4-8

Math
This week fourth grade analyzed expenses, discussed advantages and disadvantages of different methods of saving money, and made a budget for a weekly allowance. They also worked on a project that involved planning movie meals for $5.00 or less using a price chart of snacks. The second task was to develop a movie schedule so six movies show three times a day in four theaters. Third grader, Sydney said she "learned about planned and unplanned spending", making financial decisions, and saving money. They had to look at each decision  nd decide if the situation was an income, spending, saving, credit, or giving.  Second graders learned about a.m. and p.m. and telling time to the minute. After an assessment on telling time we starting measuring in centimeters. Maryn,"learned how to use diagrams to solve problems" when adding and subtraction lengths.

Reading and Language Arts
Reading Partnerships are getting started! It's awesome to see them taking so much responsibility for their reading! They have set meeting times, how much they are going to read, and are actively creating discussion questions in their selected books.
We learned how to create discussion questions -- "Thin and Thick Questions" which have us looking at our reading in a literal and inferential way. Ask us to explain the difference!
We wrote some amazing poems this week, delving into crafting pieces where EVERY WORD means something and we want our reader to understand it's impact and importance. :) Logan was "grateful to be shown how to write a good poem!"
Our novel studies are progressing nicely - Second is seeing a change in Mike as he discovers something he really enjoys (and finds that reading is more fun as well when it's about that topic!), Shayaan enjoys, "learning how the magic trick works!" Third is watching as Billie Jo adjusts to a new life with dad and an injury, and Alfie is putting pieces together, hoping to help his father. Sarthak is curious about "how the Prime Minister knows that Alfie's last name is Summerfield (Alfie never mentioned it to him)." Great discussion, wonderful questions...it's exciting to invest in our characters!!




Science
We've continued our study of the environment and some of the organisms that inhabit it. Second graders spent the week observing their Painted Lady Butterflies, identifying their body parts, and discussing how each feature contributes to the butterfly's survival. Sam learned, "Butterflies taste with their feet, smell with their antennae, and eat with their proboscis." After getting to see our butterflies go through each stage of metamorphosis, it was time to release them to their natural habitat. We cheered them on as they took their first official flight!

We chose a location on our campus that would provide them with the nourishment they need and even spotted a butterfly using its proboscis to take a little sip of nectar!


Some of our butterflies were a bit reluctant to leave...a few lingered with us for a few extra butterfly snuggles!

We returned to the classroom and enjoyed some nectar of our own, ending our Proboscis Party on a sweet note!



Third graders are creating a "drought kit" to inform others about the effects of drought and how we can mitigate them. After applying our note-taking skills and conducting some initial research, Oscar discovered, "Drought is a time with little or no water." Our ecologists have synthesized their findings and will be presenting their kits in a format of their choice. Some chose to create a poster...


...while others decided to perform a skit.


Some decided to develop their technology skills with a PowerPoint or a brochure. Sanjana learned "how to add a picture onto the desktop then load it into a brochure."


Fourth grade expanded their understanding of food webs with an interactive game. They played various roles as producers and consumers to visualize the interconnectedness and the effects of an increase or decrease in an organism's population. 



Today, they began a forest fire ecosystem project. Their focus question: what can be done to revitalize the forest after a forest fire? They are utilizing their technology, research, and note-taking skills to gather information for their project. More super ideas to come!

Thank you again for all the Teacher Appreciation love...we definitely feel valued! We appreciate all the support and love you've given this week and throughout the year. 

Enjoy the weekend!
SBLC Team

Comments

  1. Proboscis Party !!! I love it , how much fun was that lesson.
    I love the reading partnership lesson , Noah stated he Had to read yesterday because someone else was depending on him , it really made him want to do it more.

    ReplyDelete
  2. It was cool that two butterflies landed on my leg!

    ReplyDelete

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