Author Visit

Sigmund Brouwer was in the house today talking to us about how everyone loves stories. He also explained that writing is a vehicle to share your story. Since we are launching in story starters this upcoming month his visit was well timed!!!

He has free eBooks that can be downloaded at www.rockandrollbooks.com

Trifold Illustrations

Now that we are done reading our class novel, "I Was A Rat", we created 3D illustrations of our favorite scenes. We have learned how to copy quotes and site page numbers so we matched our illustrations to the quotes from the book. These will be available for viewing and taking home on PT conference night, Nov 5th. 

Going Further

So I feel like my last post on plastic cup towers needs a follow up post.  My class successfully completed the challenge which was to build the tallest tower they could given 30 cups and the limits with the two elastics.  It needed good conversation, collaboration, and the willingness to try and experiment as well.  Failure was suffered several times when towers were knocked over (some of them near the end when it happened) but resiliency won out when they simply started all over again.

Risk

Resiliency

Collaboration

THESE are the skills I want to foster in kids when I teach.  Knowing your times tables makes you good at multiplying but you are limited in any further results.  The ability to work together, to risk possible failure, and to know how to work in a team are the skills that carry us forward as contributing citizens of society.

What I also loved was that after the challenge was over.....the kids took it further.  The challenge I gave them wasn't enough.

Let's make one that touches the roof!

Quickly followed by, let's start it on the floor and THEN touch the roof!

Their desire to iterate the original challenge resulted in them challenging themselves, taking things a step further, and experience great levels of success.  Here's the photo evidence of that.

Design Challenge: Plastic Cup Tower

The challenge was to create the tallest tower possible. The problem to solve was that you couldnt touch the cups with your hands!  You had an elastic that a max of two people could use. One hand per person. 

Thanksgiving Challenge #4: Cooking a Turkey

Mrs. Olthof was in charge of cooking the turkey this year.  A turkey is supposed to be cooked at a rate of 12 minutes/pound.  My turkey was 18 pounds!!!  (We had lots of left overs.....)  How long was it supposed to cook for????

Thanksgiving Challenge #3

Thanksgiving is celebrated in October in Canada and November in the United States. Why is that?  Give me your answer in the comments section along with any websites you used!

Thanksgiving Challenge #2

In Social Studies we have learned about the difference between Equality and Equity. The following cartoon has a message related to that concept. Which side is which?  What do you think the message is?