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Hopping Through April!

This week our focus was independence. We looked for opportunities to take initiative to do and figure things ON OUR OWN. It presented us with a chance to GROW. We took risks, failed, tried again, and had the satisfaction of working hard and accomplishment.

In reading and language arts we continue to synthesize the events of our novels to find the single struggle our character is facing. We laughed together, gasped together, and even shared tears (mostly Mrs. Forrest) in specific scenes. Our written pieces have entered the critique and editing stages, and we used a new technique called "Express Check Out" to help our partners with their publications.

In math, 2nd and 3rd graders explored distance measurement with centimeters and inches.  Then they put their measurement skills to work with area and perimeter.  We used a slice of bread to help us conceptualize that area is the space inside a shape and that perimeter means the distance around.
A few pics of hungry mathematicians "peeling the perimeter" crust off their bread slices:






Fourth graders also reviewed the concept of perimeter this week, further exploring the relationships between area and perimeter.  They solved area and perimeter story problems to practice when to use these concepts in real-world settings, then moved into measurement conversion strategies.

Our second and third grade scientists began their study of plants this week. We've talked about the needs of plants and how each plant part plays a different and important role. Today, our botanists examined seeds inside and out, identifying the seed coat, embryo (there's already a tiny plant in there!), and food storage.



Fourth grade ecologists continued their study and care of their eco-columns. Earlier in the week, they collected organisms to add to their terrariums and then read to discover why those additions of isopods and decaying matter were so important.



It's been exciting to see the progress of our efforts. We've had quite a bit of growth this week!


Enjoy your long weekend!
Team SBLC

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