WATER!

This week, from our Morphic Thinking all the way to our farewell our focus was on water.  Students read A River Ran Wild by Lynne Cherry and saw the effects of disrespecting water as a resource. They also saw that there is hope for restoration of polluted waterways and how they can play a part in the solution.  Research was done on watersheds and students got to participate in a simulation of pollution's downstream journey.

We also looked at different tests that can be conducted to evaluate water quality.  Some of these tests will help us identify our Gray Area culprit.  We learned about turbidity tests to check for clarity and sediments, (helpful in the investigation of the erosion caused by the clear-cutting logging company) phosphate and nitrate tests to see if fertilizers may be causing an abundance of algae growth, (helpful in the investigation of the cattle ranch and farm)  bio-assessment tests for macro-invertebrates, and pH tests.  We also were introduced to our novel study of Listening to Crickets, a story of conservationist Rachel Carson.

Listening to Crickets

Watershed demonstration.

Compiling evidence for our Gray Area suspects.

Welcome to Gray Area

We are officially embarking on our journey as environmental detectives!  Today students did a review of systems and a teamwork challenge to prepare themselves for their upcoming experiences. Students were introduced to the Gray Area and the mysterious fish kill that has been taking place there over the last five years.  They met some of the key players (suspects?!?!) in the region, looked at maps of the area to identify factors that may be at play, and studied the history of the area as they compiled a time line of events and developments over the past 100 years.  Throughout this semester they will be acting as scientists, council members, reporters, and detectives as they conduct tests and research to uncover the reason behind the declining fish population.

Systems Review...

The Human Knot Teamwork Challenge...

Gray Area Timeline Mapping...

Order in the Court!

Today we finished up our Courtroom presentations and got to participate as lawyers in an online mock trial.  The students became more familiar with terminology, saw the courtroom players in action, and got to use their own reasoning to present evidence to the jury and question witnesses.

The defense team making their case.

The counsel for the plaintiff deliberating. 

In math, 3rd graders took an assessment of skills from our first section of our data unit and second graders continued looking at collecting data and finding the typical rate from a set of numbers.  They also organized their data on a line plot and described it terms of median, mode, and range.

Courtroom Research and Math Bingo

Today third grade students focused on math as they had some choice activities to review median, mode and range.  Following some good work and discussion they took a wrap up assessment to show off their learning.

Here are just a few of their awesome products!
Ariana Median

Alyssa's Set Cards

Terrance Explains Median

Here are some online games for further practice:
http://www.kidsmathgamesonline.com/numbers/meanmedianmode.html

http://pbskids.org/cyberchase/math-games/send-trolls/

http://www.turtlediary.com/game/mean-median-mode-range.html

Bingo Winner!

Second graders kicked off math by starting our Digging for Data unit and learning about the term "typical".  They discovered the median as one way we can find what is typical for a set of numbers.  Students should be able to recognize the median as the middle number is an ordered group of data.  They found the typical number of words they could write in one minute by finding the median of their three trials.

We were also able to do some deeper research as we divided and conquered the elements of the courtroom system and shared our findings on our areas of expertise.  We also got to take a virtual tour of a courthouse at this site: virtual field trip.

The Case of the Teachernapping

I had a bit of a scare today as I was whisked off unexpectedly.  My twin sister, Mrs. Donaldson, took over for me and helped the students put their CSI knowledge, Habits of Mind, and math data skills into action to find me.  They processed the crime scene for evidence, used deductive reasoning, interviewed a witness, and found my location based on the median of the information I was able to provide.  It turns out that I was taken to a surprise party where our class was named ALERT class of 2015!  I am so proud.  I was able to make it back in time to celebrate with students.  I am looking forward to our awesomeness continuing in 2016.

Crime solving gear.

With our best detective faces.

Teachernapping Video 1

Teachernapping Video 2

Teachnapping Video 3

Teachernapping Video 4

We also managed to squeeze in some research on trials.  We have looked at crime scenes, forensics labs, and now will follow the evidence to court.  Students used Nearpod to read an article covering the basics of a trial and watched a BrainPop video sharing the difference between criminal and civil cases.  Next week we will take a virtual field trip through a courthouse and look closer at the parts of the courtroom system to prepare for our real field study there later in the semester.

Forensics Lab

This week we transformed our classroom into a forensics lab to test some evidence fresh in from a crime scene.  Our analysts learned about chromatography and matched ink band samples from different pens to find the culprit in The Case of the Dognapping.  They also compared physical properties of three different mystery powders confiscated from suspects in The Case of the Crummy Cake.  Students also looked at the chemical properties of the substances as they tested their reactions to water and vinegar.

During our grade level time, second graders worked on their creative thinking skills as we read the book Beekle and created our own imaginary friends.

Third graders worked on more median, mode, and range as they sorted data from our heart rate project.  We also used this video to jog our memories after the break: Mean, Median, and Mode Toads.

Code Breaking

Today our gumshoes were up to the task of deciphering coded messages.  They looked at several different types of ciphers and codes and picked out patterns to uncover the underlying message.  They also wrote their own codes for their friends to crack.  Use these websites at home to continue with your explorations!

Mirror Writing

Cryptology

Code Examples

More Code Examples

Cryptokids

Crack the Code

We also practiced the Habit of Mind, Persisting as we looked at more DNA codes to match suspects to their crimes.  We used a "stuck on the escalator" analogy to discuss perseverance and taking the next step in our learning to overcome challenges.

Third graders sent their solo time reviewing median, mode, and range with some friendly penguin buddies.  They grouped the penguins to create data sets for their friends to calculate the averages.

Second graders used math along with crime scene investigation and looked at foot prints as evidence. They used their own shoe measurements to predict their height.  Did you know that the average foot length is about 15% of a person's height?   They then got to compare their actual height with that of their mathematical prediction.

 

We also threw in some brain stretchers and conquered the daily set puzzle!