April 19 and 20, 2017-- Hero projects are due. Students will present their memorials/honorariums to their classmates and create their displays for next week's Hall of Heroes.
Engage Your Brain--Going UP!--Students will be challenged to match abstract representations with phrases that are associated with elevators. Additionally, they will "play" with the word, "Elevator" to create new words that make sense in a sentence. They will also do a little elevator math.
Balance Bender--Students will use algebraic reasoning as they develop deductive reasoning. They must analyze each balance to identify the clues, and then synthesize the information to find three truths.
Engage Your Brain--Going UP!--Students will be challenged to match abstract representations with phrases that are associated with elevators. Additionally, they will "play" with the word, "Elevator" to create new words that make sense in a sentence. They will also do a little elevator math.
Balance Bender--Students will use algebraic reasoning as they develop deductive reasoning. They must analyze each balance to identify the clues, and then synthesize the information to find three truths.
March 30, 2017, March has been a tumultuous month for us! Because Mrs. Nguyen and I have been involved in testing possible new Enrichment students, our meeting times have been limited. However, we did squeeze in an amazing field trip (March 16), and students have been working very hard on their Hero Project. Today, students showcased their small memorial/honorarium. Each student had the opportunity to tell the class about his or her hero and the project he or she made. It was awesome to see the thought that went into these projects. The children explained the symbols they used, the colors they selected, and all of the various touches they added to their projects. The way their brains connected colors and words to character traits and deeds was truly incredible. We can't wait until the final projects come in, and we can see the final memorials and honorariums. We hope you will be able to join us!
Dates to Remember:
April 3-7--Spring Break
April 19/20--Final Hero Projects due--on this day, we will discuss how to best display the projects and finalize plans for our "Hall of Heroes."
April 26--HALL OF HEROES--Students will showcase their heroes by displaying their memorials (honorariums) and discussing their heroes. Parents are invited to drop in any time between 10:30 and 12:00 to see and hear all about our heroes. Students are welcome to bring clothes to dress like their hero. Students choosing not to dress like their heroes are encouraged to "dress-up." We have discussed that they are unveiling their hard work, and this is a time to put forth their best in everything...their project, their knowledge of their hero, and their own presentation.
Dates to Remember:
April 3-7--Spring Break
April 19/20--Final Hero Projects due--on this day, we will discuss how to best display the projects and finalize plans for our "Hall of Heroes."
April 26--HALL OF HEROES--Students will showcase their heroes by displaying their memorials (honorariums) and discussing their heroes. Parents are invited to drop in any time between 10:30 and 12:00 to see and hear all about our heroes. Students are welcome to bring clothes to dress like their hero. Students choosing not to dress like their heroes are encouraged to "dress-up." We have discussed that they are unveiling their hard work, and this is a time to put forth their best in everything...their project, their knowledge of their hero, and their own presentation.
02/15/2017
In Enrichment today, students SCAMPERED, thought logically, and planned and began to develop their project presentations.
Engage Your Brain: Open the Boxes: Students had to think out-of-the-box to solve these problems involving boxes!
Logic Puzzle: Using deductive reasoning, students deciphered exactly where six team banners were located along the outfield wall in a stadium.
Primary Education Thinking Skills: How do you SCAMPER? The SCAMPER method is a tool used to help students (and adults) think creatively. By substituting, combining, adapting, modifying, putting to a different use, eliminating, and reversing, a product or invention can become a whole new thing. Today, students explored how to build a better school desk, chair, or bed.
Pre-Internet Research: Using the facts they discovered during their research, students began to create their visuals. Some students are creating 3-d displays while others are using poster boards. Since this is "old school" no technology is being used. The students will use these displays to enhance their oral presentations.
American Memorials/Heroes: How do we honor heroes? Everyone was given their "American Memorials and Heroes" books to keep. These books include the activities and vocabulary from our unit. They may need some of the resources in the book to help them as they work on their Hero project at home.
Research Challenge: What recent weather event has caused over 20,000 California residents to leave their homes?
In Enrichment today, students SCAMPERED, thought logically, and planned and began to develop their project presentations.
Engage Your Brain: Open the Boxes: Students had to think out-of-the-box to solve these problems involving boxes!
Logic Puzzle: Using deductive reasoning, students deciphered exactly where six team banners were located along the outfield wall in a stadium.
Primary Education Thinking Skills: How do you SCAMPER? The SCAMPER method is a tool used to help students (and adults) think creatively. By substituting, combining, adapting, modifying, putting to a different use, eliminating, and reversing, a product or invention can become a whole new thing. Today, students explored how to build a better school desk, chair, or bed.
Pre-Internet Research: Using the facts they discovered during their research, students began to create their visuals. Some students are creating 3-d displays while others are using poster boards. Since this is "old school" no technology is being used. The students will use these displays to enhance their oral presentations.
American Memorials/Heroes: How do we honor heroes? Everyone was given their "American Memorials and Heroes" books to keep. These books include the activities and vocabulary from our unit. They may need some of the resources in the book to help them as they work on their Hero project at home.
Research Challenge: What recent weather event has caused over 20,000 California residents to leave their homes?
02/08/2017
Second graders explored cats, heroes, and similes! What a great day!
Engage Your Brain: Wheel, wheels, and more wheels! Second graders used their critical and creative thinking skills to complete "catty" activities. Then, they read an informational text explaining the reason why cats have whiskers.
Logic Puzzle: Students used their logical thinking skills to match pigs with colors and favorite animals.
Primary Education Thinking Skills: The students narrative essays are complete. They wrote very descriptive paragraphs and practiced using various forms of figurative language such as similes and metaphors.
Pre-Internet Research: Using books, encyclopedias, and other printed resources, students began researching their self-selected topics. Next week, they will design their display and practice their presentation. After the break, they will share their findings with the class.
American Memorials/Heroes: How do we honor heroes? Students shared the hero's name they each intend to research and honor. They also shared their thoughts on resources.
Research Challenge: How was Alexander Graham Bell honored after his death?
Second graders explored cats, heroes, and similes! What a great day!
Engage Your Brain: Wheel, wheels, and more wheels! Second graders used their critical and creative thinking skills to complete "catty" activities. Then, they read an informational text explaining the reason why cats have whiskers.
Logic Puzzle: Students used their logical thinking skills to match pigs with colors and favorite animals.
Primary Education Thinking Skills: The students narrative essays are complete. They wrote very descriptive paragraphs and practiced using various forms of figurative language such as similes and metaphors.
Pre-Internet Research: Using books, encyclopedias, and other printed resources, students began researching their self-selected topics. Next week, they will design their display and practice their presentation. After the break, they will share their findings with the class.
American Memorials/Heroes: How do we honor heroes? Students shared the hero's name they each intend to research and honor. They also shared their thoughts on resources.
Research Challenge: How was Alexander Graham Bell honored after his death?
February 1--
Second graders explored the library, solved a logic puzzle, and discussed ways to honor heroes. Here's more information:
Engage Your Brain: Wheel, wheels, and more wheels! Second graders used their critical and creative thinking skills to match abstract pictures with words, think about directions based on picture clues, analyze the distance of a wheel turn, and make new words from the word "wheel."
Logic Puzzle: Students used their logical thinking skills to match goats with their favorite foods and greatest fears. The students have decided that the puzzles are getting easier and easier each week.
Primary Education Thinking Skills: How can I add spice to my writing? Second graders discussed similes and metaphors and brainstormed ways to add these types of figurative language into their own writing. They wrote a short fictional piece choosing a natural setting, a specific time, and one of the seasons as the setting (ex. the beach at dusk during the winter).
Pre-Internet Research: Where are the biographies located? What's a call number? Second graders explored the library as they completed a scavenger hunt to locate various reference and non-fiction works. They also narrowed down their topics for their in class research project.
American Memorials/Heroes: How do we honor heroes? Next week, the first three activities from the Hero assignment are due. Students discussed possible candidates for this project and ways the heroes could be honored. Each student was given a list of various ways heroes have been honored. This may help springboard ideas for the project.
Research Challenge: When was the first Groundhog's Day observed?
Second graders explored the library, solved a logic puzzle, and discussed ways to honor heroes. Here's more information:
Engage Your Brain: Wheel, wheels, and more wheels! Second graders used their critical and creative thinking skills to match abstract pictures with words, think about directions based on picture clues, analyze the distance of a wheel turn, and make new words from the word "wheel."
Logic Puzzle: Students used their logical thinking skills to match goats with their favorite foods and greatest fears. The students have decided that the puzzles are getting easier and easier each week.
Primary Education Thinking Skills: How can I add spice to my writing? Second graders discussed similes and metaphors and brainstormed ways to add these types of figurative language into their own writing. They wrote a short fictional piece choosing a natural setting, a specific time, and one of the seasons as the setting (ex. the beach at dusk during the winter).
Pre-Internet Research: Where are the biographies located? What's a call number? Second graders explored the library as they completed a scavenger hunt to locate various reference and non-fiction works. They also narrowed down their topics for their in class research project.
American Memorials/Heroes: How do we honor heroes? Next week, the first three activities from the Hero assignment are due. Students discussed possible candidates for this project and ways the heroes could be honored. Each student was given a list of various ways heroes have been honored. This may help springboard ideas for the project.
Research Challenge: When was the first Groundhog's Day observed?
January 25th
What a great day we had today! The students worked together to create a graphic organizer with the facts they collected last week about bald eagles. Then, using these facts, they wrote an informational piece about the appearance, diet, and young of our nation's bird. After writing a rough draft and a peer review, the students typed their essays using AlphaSmarts, Chromebooks, or desktop PCs. The finished copies are hanging proudly in the hall along with a torn paper picture of a Bald Eagle that was a combined effort with contributions from both second grade classes. Stop by and see it if you get a chance!
The students practiced logical and critical thinking while they engaged their brain in various activities around a pointy theme. Plus, they solved an elimination-style logic puzzle using clues to discover the one right answer.
There is no research challenge this week. However, the students have been charged with the responsibility of thinking of a subject they would like to research themselves. They will be doing in-class research on a topic of their choosing in the manner of the whole-class research we conducted on the bald eagle. The students will create a visual, as well. This entire project will be completed in class. However, the students may bring books for research or supplies for their visual if they want. This project is still in the infant stage, but they will have a better grasp after class next week.
What a great day we had today! The students worked together to create a graphic organizer with the facts they collected last week about bald eagles. Then, using these facts, they wrote an informational piece about the appearance, diet, and young of our nation's bird. After writing a rough draft and a peer review, the students typed their essays using AlphaSmarts, Chromebooks, or desktop PCs. The finished copies are hanging proudly in the hall along with a torn paper picture of a Bald Eagle that was a combined effort with contributions from both second grade classes. Stop by and see it if you get a chance!
The students practiced logical and critical thinking while they engaged their brain in various activities around a pointy theme. Plus, they solved an elimination-style logic puzzle using clues to discover the one right answer.
There is no research challenge this week. However, the students have been charged with the responsibility of thinking of a subject they would like to research themselves. They will be doing in-class research on a topic of their choosing in the manner of the whole-class research we conducted on the bald eagle. The students will create a visual, as well. This entire project will be completed in class. However, the students may bring books for research or supplies for their visual if they want. This project is still in the infant stage, but they will have a better grasp after class next week.
January 18th and 19th --After a long, relaxing weekend, second graders' Enrichment Day will be just what they need to jumpstart their critical, creative, and logical thinking skills!
Logical Thinking Skills--"Chicken Dancing and Fear" Five chickens named Bea, Cindi, Daphne, Elsie, and Frannie loved to get together and dance. However, the dances were always wild affairs because each of the chickens moved to a different dance. When they grew tired of dancing, they would sit around and talk. One day, the chickens revealed their greatest fears.
Before solving the puzzle, the students will watch short clips demonstrating each of the different dance styles. Then, they will evaluate the "chicken fears" and discuss why these would be feared items to a chicken. Then, based on the clues, the students will match chicken names with favorite dances and biggest fears.
Logical Thinking and Critical Thinking--Second graders will be challenged by today's Balance Bender.
The two truths are as follows:
Two stars are equal to one circle.
Six rectangles are equal to two circles.
Using this information, the students will determine three facts that will always be true.
Critical and Creative Thinking: "Smell the Flowers" Students will engage their brains as they analyze flowers in various ways such as number of petals lost, decoding pictures to create flower names, and playing with the word, "flower."
Pre-Internet Research: What is an encyclopedia? Students will explore the "ancient" printed encyclopedias to find information about eagles. They will compare the printed encyclopedias with internet sites to determine the various ways researching has changed. They will evaluate which method is "best."
Primary Education Thinking Skills: What can it be? Students will continue to think and think again. They began brainstorming last week to discover a list of ways a picture could be interpreted. This week, they will continue that activity and share their thoughts with the class. Then, they will practice their divergent thinking skills as writers who use words creatively to add richness to their writing. They will choose one of the items from their list and write a story about that item.
American Memorials: Students will continue to examine American currency and search for symbols. We will discuss the importance of each person honored and various symbols used. The students will complete a graphic organizer showing various ways people have historically been memorialized in the United States. The students will receive their "Hero" project workbook.
Research Challenge: Are there any monuments or memorials in Peachtree City? Where? Who do they honor?
Logical Thinking Skills--"Chicken Dancing and Fear" Five chickens named Bea, Cindi, Daphne, Elsie, and Frannie loved to get together and dance. However, the dances were always wild affairs because each of the chickens moved to a different dance. When they grew tired of dancing, they would sit around and talk. One day, the chickens revealed their greatest fears.
Before solving the puzzle, the students will watch short clips demonstrating each of the different dance styles. Then, they will evaluate the "chicken fears" and discuss why these would be feared items to a chicken. Then, based on the clues, the students will match chicken names with favorite dances and biggest fears.
Logical Thinking and Critical Thinking--Second graders will be challenged by today's Balance Bender.
The two truths are as follows:
Two stars are equal to one circle.
Six rectangles are equal to two circles.
Using this information, the students will determine three facts that will always be true.
Critical and Creative Thinking: "Smell the Flowers" Students will engage their brains as they analyze flowers in various ways such as number of petals lost, decoding pictures to create flower names, and playing with the word, "flower."
Pre-Internet Research: What is an encyclopedia? Students will explore the "ancient" printed encyclopedias to find information about eagles. They will compare the printed encyclopedias with internet sites to determine the various ways researching has changed. They will evaluate which method is "best."
Primary Education Thinking Skills: What can it be? Students will continue to think and think again. They began brainstorming last week to discover a list of ways a picture could be interpreted. This week, they will continue that activity and share their thoughts with the class. Then, they will practice their divergent thinking skills as writers who use words creatively to add richness to their writing. They will choose one of the items from their list and write a story about that item.
American Memorials: Students will continue to examine American currency and search for symbols. We will discuss the importance of each person honored and various symbols used. The students will complete a graphic organizer showing various ways people have historically been memorialized in the United States. The students will receive their "Hero" project workbook.
Research Challenge: Are there any monuments or memorials in Peachtree City? Where? Who do they honor?
January 11 and 12, 2017--Second grade Enrichment will be filled with money, pigs, and eggs! What? Read on for details!
Logical Thinking Skills--A Pig Finish! This week's logical problem-solving puzzle will involve five pigs racing to win a race. Each pig wore a colored shirt and shorts and had an animal trainer. The students will have to think logically to run through the clues in order to determine the finishing order, tee-shirt color, shorts color, and animal trainer of each pig.
Logical Thinking and Critical Thinking--Second graders will be challenged by today's Balance Bender.
The two truths are as follows:
Two circles are equal to one star.
Two rectangles are equal to two stars and two circles.
Based on these two truths, students will have to decide which three statements are mathematically true.
Critical and Creative Thinking: Lay an Egg--For this week's brain engaging activity, students will compare eggshells to milk, paper, a banana peel, and glass. They will also have to think about items that are sold as a unit versus individual products (ex. a box of cereal or a package of chips rather than one bran flake or one Dorito). They will use their creative thinking to decide on ways to represent the word "egg" and the number "89." Finally, they will have to think scientifically to try to come up with a plan to get an egg into a bottle without breaking either the egg or the bottle. If this thought stumps you, check out this video--https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7aCWFcuKJE
Primary Education Thinking Skills: What can it be? Students will take "ordinary" pictures and look at them four different ways. They will think about what their picture could represent when it is oriented each way and make a list of their thoughts.
American Memorials: Students will examine American currency and search for symbols. They will list the men found on various bills and the men and women on various coins. Then, they will decide why the man or woman might be honored in this manner. Finally, they will look for the meaning behind the symbols also found on American money.
Research Challenge: Who was on the first United States postage stamp issued to honor a woman?
Logical Thinking Skills--A Pig Finish! This week's logical problem-solving puzzle will involve five pigs racing to win a race. Each pig wore a colored shirt and shorts and had an animal trainer. The students will have to think logically to run through the clues in order to determine the finishing order, tee-shirt color, shorts color, and animal trainer of each pig.
Logical Thinking and Critical Thinking--Second graders will be challenged by today's Balance Bender.
The two truths are as follows:
Two circles are equal to one star.
Two rectangles are equal to two stars and two circles.
Based on these two truths, students will have to decide which three statements are mathematically true.
Critical and Creative Thinking: Lay an Egg--For this week's brain engaging activity, students will compare eggshells to milk, paper, a banana peel, and glass. They will also have to think about items that are sold as a unit versus individual products (ex. a box of cereal or a package of chips rather than one bran flake or one Dorito). They will use their creative thinking to decide on ways to represent the word "egg" and the number "89." Finally, they will have to think scientifically to try to come up with a plan to get an egg into a bottle without breaking either the egg or the bottle. If this thought stumps you, check out this video--https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7aCWFcuKJE
Primary Education Thinking Skills: What can it be? Students will take "ordinary" pictures and look at them four different ways. They will think about what their picture could represent when it is oriented each way and make a list of their thoughts.
American Memorials: Students will examine American currency and search for symbols. They will list the men found on various bills and the men and women on various coins. Then, they will decide why the man or woman might be honored in this manner. Finally, they will look for the meaning behind the symbols also found on American money.
Research Challenge: Who was on the first United States postage stamp issued to honor a woman?
01/04/2017 and 01/05/2017--We are so excited to welcome new friends into our Enrichment classroom. With new friends joining us and our break just ending, this week's activities are slightly different than normal, but we will still have a day full of creative, critical, and logical thinking!
Engage Your Brain--Students will be challenged to write their names like the shape of a mountain, make a decision about the ease of climbing a mountain, play with the letters of the word "mountain," judge depth perception, draw a reflection, and evaluate the importance of items that might be located on a map.
Balance Bender-- using abstract facts to make concrete statements-- Given the fact that two circles and two rectangles are equal to two stars and one circle is equal to two rectangles, students haveto decide which other statements are absolute truths.
Logical Thinking Skills--Using "if...then..." statements, students will evaluate clues to match five geese with their bonnets based on colors and with their friends based on animal names.
Pre-Internet Research--Students will begin drawing a map based on a real or imaginary place. You can access your child's Dojo page to see his or her map. The maps will include components found on maps such as titles, a compass rose, a key or legend, and the scale.
American Memorials: Students will discuss various types of currency and increase their knowledge of the numerical system on which America's currency is based.
Research Challenge: Whose face adorned the $10,000 bill?
Engage Your Brain--Students will be challenged to write their names like the shape of a mountain, make a decision about the ease of climbing a mountain, play with the letters of the word "mountain," judge depth perception, draw a reflection, and evaluate the importance of items that might be located on a map.
Balance Bender-- using abstract facts to make concrete statements-- Given the fact that two circles and two rectangles are equal to two stars and one circle is equal to two rectangles, students haveto decide which other statements are absolute truths.
Logical Thinking Skills--Using "if...then..." statements, students will evaluate clues to match five geese with their bonnets based on colors and with their friends based on animal names.
Pre-Internet Research--Students will begin drawing a map based on a real or imaginary place. You can access your child's Dojo page to see his or her map. The maps will include components found on maps such as titles, a compass rose, a key or legend, and the scale.
American Memorials: Students will discuss various types of currency and increase their knowledge of the numerical system on which America's currency is based.
Research Challenge: Whose face adorned the $10,000 bill?
12/12/2016
Enrichment class was filled with creativity and logical thinking!
Engage Your Brain: Let's Go Boating--Students were challenged to create boat sentences, complete boat poems, look at abstract pictures and match them to boat terms, and think scientifically about how one could tell which boat was the heaviest. Students also had to think like a fish and draw a boat from a fish's perspective.
Balance Bender: Second grade students are becoming experts at using abstract facts to make concrete statements. Given the fact that one circle is equal to two pentagons, and two circles is equal to a pentagon and a rectangle, students had to decide which other statements were absolute truths.
Logical Thinking Skills: Students asked for the type of logic puzzle that they solved during first grade--the type where they use elimination based on clues to draw logical conclusions. Therefore, they may choose to complete one of these each week. This week's logical thinking puzzle was titled, "Donkey Shopping." Five donkeys were shopping and spent $1-$5, bought 1-5 items, and checked out 1st-5th. Students had to match donkeys with the amount of money each spent, the number of items each bought, and the donkey's place in line. This puzzle was even trickier because the donkeys' names were very similar.
Pre-Internet Research: Students explored atlases today. They discovered that if you want to know where something is AT, use an ATlas! They also discovered that many atlases include more than just maps such as flags and statistical information.
Creative Thinking: What else could it be? Students employed all components of creative thinking, originality, fluency, flexibility, and elaboration, in order to make a list or draw a picture of uses of a candy cane other than just for eating. Of course, they did eat candy canes while they were doing this activity!
We are Grateful: As the year draws to a close, students reflected back on their time during second grade Enrichment and why they are grateful to have each other. They made of list of what makes them grateful to know the other students. Each student is coming home today with an envelope containing slips that tell him or her why his or her classmates are grateful that they get to share Enrichment each week.
RESEARCH CHALLENGE: What is one fact that you learned over the break?
Enjoy your families and your time together during the holiday break!
12/5/2016 and 12/7/2016--
Engage Your Brain: Straws: Students will evaluate concrete and abstract pictures containing various representations of straws.They will play with the word "straw" until they make new words that fit into sentences. They will also estimate how many ants will fit into a straw and how many straws are in a pile.
Balance Bender: Given the facts that a star has the same value asa semi-circle and a whole circle has the same value as two squares and a star, students will choose equations that could always be true.
Current Events: Wildfires and Climate Change, Dolly Parton givesback, Pop-Tarts and Dunkin Donuts team up
American Memorials and Heroes: Students will discuss the heroes of the wildfires. They will determine, based on our classroom definition, (a hero is someone who takes a risk for the benefit ofothers), if the firefighters and rescue workers are heroes. Plus, they will decide if people that donate food, clothes, supplies, and money to the victims of the fires could also be called heroes.
Pre-Internet Research: Students will analyze a map of the United States in order to determine the geographic center of the continental United States. Then, they will label the regions of theUS (southeast, southwest, etc) and debate over "iffy" states-those right on the dividing lines.
Primary Education Thinking Skills: Second graders will employ the inventive side of their divergent thinking skills as they brainstorm and look at ordinary objects in new and unusual ways. They will practice originality, elaboration, and fluency.
Engage Your Brain: Straws: Students will evaluate concrete and abstract pictures containing various representations of straws.They will play with the word "straw" until they make new words that fit into sentences. They will also estimate how many ants will fit into a straw and how many straws are in a pile.
Balance Bender: Given the facts that a star has the same value asa semi-circle and a whole circle has the same value as two squares and a star, students will choose equations that could always be true.
Current Events: Wildfires and Climate Change, Dolly Parton givesback, Pop-Tarts and Dunkin Donuts team up
American Memorials and Heroes: Students will discuss the heroes of the wildfires. They will determine, based on our classroom definition, (a hero is someone who takes a risk for the benefit ofothers), if the firefighters and rescue workers are heroes. Plus, they will decide if people that donate food, clothes, supplies, and money to the victims of the fires could also be called heroes.
Pre-Internet Research: Students will analyze a map of the United States in order to determine the geographic center of the continental United States. Then, they will label the regions of theUS (southeast, southwest, etc) and debate over "iffy" states-those right on the dividing lines.
Primary Education Thinking Skills: Second graders will employ the inventive side of their divergent thinking skills as they brainstorm and look at ordinary objects in new and unusual ways. They will practice originality, elaboration, and fluency.
11/28/2016 It was great to be back after the week-long break. The students were ready to work hard both by themselves and alone using their logical thinking and critical thinking skills.
Engage Your Brain: Fireworks: Using an example, students drew firework pictures to match descriptive names. Then, they evaluated the situation in which fireworks are used to decide why fireworks aren’t used during the day or used every day. They also brainstormed some things that go with special days like Thanksgiving and Christmas in the way that fireworks go with Independence Day.
Current Events: Students shared stories about their adventures during the Thanksgiving break.
Balance Bender: One square equals two circles and a rectangle. A square plus a rectangle equals three circles. Using these facts, students determined three more true statements.
American Memorials: Students completed their research on various American heroes such as Sally Ride, Martin Luther King, Jr., and George Washington Carver. They presented their research to their classmates, and the class discussed if the risks, outcomes, and benefits of each of the people presented constituted a “hero.”
Pre-Internet Research: Students shared their “Brain Blasting Facts” from gleaned from World Book Almanacs for Kids: 2009. The class discussed how the facts may or may not have changed in the last seven years.
Research Challenge: Who was John Muir? How is he memorialized?
Engage Your Brain: Fireworks: Using an example, students drew firework pictures to match descriptive names. Then, they evaluated the situation in which fireworks are used to decide why fireworks aren’t used during the day or used every day. They also brainstormed some things that go with special days like Thanksgiving and Christmas in the way that fireworks go with Independence Day.
Current Events: Students shared stories about their adventures during the Thanksgiving break.
Balance Bender: One square equals two circles and a rectangle. A square plus a rectangle equals three circles. Using these facts, students determined three more true statements.
American Memorials: Students completed their research on various American heroes such as Sally Ride, Martin Luther King, Jr., and George Washington Carver. They presented their research to their classmates, and the class discussed if the risks, outcomes, and benefits of each of the people presented constituted a “hero.”
Pre-Internet Research: Students shared their “Brain Blasting Facts” from gleaned from World Book Almanacs for Kids: 2009. The class discussed how the facts may or may not have changed in the last seven years.
Research Challenge: Who was John Muir? How is he memorialized?
11/14 and 11/16--Second grade students will have an exciting day in Enrichment as students will challenge themselves to conduct research without the Internet and solve a difficult logic problem. They will also evaluate the risks taken by heroes in history, explore current events, and use critical thinking to classify items.
Engage Your Brain: Clowning Around--Students will abstractions that call for analytical thinking in order to match "clown pictures" with words or phrases describing the pictures. Additionally, they will dissect the letters in the word "clowns" to rebuild new words to satisfy clues. The thinking involved in these activities is no joke!
Current Events: What is a super moon? Students will use the online news site Newsela to gather information about the super moon and will discuss the superstitions behind full moons
Balance Bender: Two squares and two rectangles are equal to two ovals. One oval is equal to a star. What other truths can be discovered about these shapes? Based on factual statements and relationships, students must uncover three mathematical truths based on concrete representations.
PETS: Students will use their convergent thinking skills to analyze contents of various containers and decide the sorting criteria. Students will also brainstorm other items that would or would not fit in the container.
American Memorials After finalizing our class definition of a hero, second grade students will read about various "heroes" of the past to determine if they are truly worthy of the title. Some "heroes" include Sally Ride, George Washington Carver, and Benjamin Banneker.:
Pre-Internet Research: Brain Blasting Facts from a book? Absolutely, if it's an almanac. Second graders will explore almanacs to uncover the organization strategy involved in the placement of the information, the location strategy needed to find information in the book, and the content of various almanacs. They will search for three facts to share with the class.
Research Challenge: Who began the Poor Richard's Almanack?
Engage Your Brain: Clowning Around--Students will abstractions that call for analytical thinking in order to match "clown pictures" with words or phrases describing the pictures. Additionally, they will dissect the letters in the word "clowns" to rebuild new words to satisfy clues. The thinking involved in these activities is no joke!
Current Events: What is a super moon? Students will use the online news site Newsela to gather information about the super moon and will discuss the superstitions behind full moons
Balance Bender: Two squares and two rectangles are equal to two ovals. One oval is equal to a star. What other truths can be discovered about these shapes? Based on factual statements and relationships, students must uncover three mathematical truths based on concrete representations.
PETS: Students will use their convergent thinking skills to analyze contents of various containers and decide the sorting criteria. Students will also brainstorm other items that would or would not fit in the container.
American Memorials After finalizing our class definition of a hero, second grade students will read about various "heroes" of the past to determine if they are truly worthy of the title. Some "heroes" include Sally Ride, George Washington Carver, and Benjamin Banneker.:
Pre-Internet Research: Brain Blasting Facts from a book? Absolutely, if it's an almanac. Second graders will explore almanacs to uncover the organization strategy involved in the placement of the information, the location strategy needed to find information in the book, and the content of various almanacs. They will search for three facts to share with the class.
Research Challenge: Who began the Poor Richard's Almanack?
10/31/2016
It was so nice to meet with my second graders again today after missing last week! We had a super busy day today that was full of critical, creative, and logical thinking!
Current Events: Students discovered an Australian artist who is just nine years old. They discussed the pros and cons of becoming famous at a young age. They also learned about scientists that study the hearing abilities of spiders and arachnophobia. They talked about their own fears which led into a discussion of Halloween costumes (inevitable?). Your very politically-minded students also discussed the upcoming presidential election and when Election Day is held every year in the United States (first Tuesday after the first Monday). Then, they watched a short clip that discussed presidential facts such as the tallest, oldest, largest,and most popular presidential name-James.
Primary Education Thinking Skills: Just like Sybil the Scientist,second graders used attributes to sort and categorize information.Today, students used two and three circle Venn diagrams to sort shapes using various attributes.
Engage Your Brain: Students completed two logic puzzles today.The first, a Balance Bender required students to use their logical thinking skills to compare shapes and given information in order to decide which mathematical statements would always be true. The second logic puzzle required students to process clues deciding which information was relevant in order to formulate if/then statements, and deduce the one right answer.
American Memorials: Students added to their definition of "hero"after learning about the "Father of Our Country," George Washington. They made a list of his accomplishments, discussed his challenges, and evaluated his character traits. They are moving closer to picking their own hero to memorialize. More information about this is coming home soon!
Pre-Internet Research: Students began exploring almanacs. They learned what information could be included in an almanac and debated whether a printed almanac or online almanac would be the best resource.
Research Challenge: What is the only sovereign nation named after a woman?
It was so nice to meet with my second graders again today after missing last week! We had a super busy day today that was full of critical, creative, and logical thinking!
Current Events: Students discovered an Australian artist who is just nine years old. They discussed the pros and cons of becoming famous at a young age. They also learned about scientists that study the hearing abilities of spiders and arachnophobia. They talked about their own fears which led into a discussion of Halloween costumes (inevitable?). Your very politically-minded students also discussed the upcoming presidential election and when Election Day is held every year in the United States (first Tuesday after the first Monday). Then, they watched a short clip that discussed presidential facts such as the tallest, oldest, largest,and most popular presidential name-James.
Primary Education Thinking Skills: Just like Sybil the Scientist,second graders used attributes to sort and categorize information.Today, students used two and three circle Venn diagrams to sort shapes using various attributes.
Engage Your Brain: Students completed two logic puzzles today.The first, a Balance Bender required students to use their logical thinking skills to compare shapes and given information in order to decide which mathematical statements would always be true. The second logic puzzle required students to process clues deciding which information was relevant in order to formulate if/then statements, and deduce the one right answer.
American Memorials: Students added to their definition of "hero"after learning about the "Father of Our Country," George Washington. They made a list of his accomplishments, discussed his challenges, and evaluated his character traits. They are moving closer to picking their own hero to memorialize. More information about this is coming home soon!
Pre-Internet Research: Students began exploring almanacs. They learned what information could be included in an almanac and debated whether a printed almanac or online almanac would be the best resource.
Research Challenge: What is the only sovereign nation named after a woman?
10/24/2016 and 10/26/2016--There will be no classes this week due to testing of new Enrichment candidates. Classes will resume next week.
10/17 and 19/2016--
Engage Your Brain: At the Movies--Students practiced their analytical thinking skills as they viewed a movie theater from above and used the diagram to finish sentences. They also matched close-ups from various movies to movie titles.
Critical Thinking: Students evaluated number patterns to determine number "tricks" with multiplication.
American Memorials: Second graders listened to the story of Balto, a sled dog that helped carry serum to the city of Nome,Alaska during a diphtheria epidemic in 1925. The discussed the characteristics of a hero and decided that Balto was a hero. They viewed images of the statue of Balto in New York's Central Park.
Pre-Internet Research--What is a thesaurus? Students compared and contrasted thesauruses and dictionaries. They located information in each resource and decided which one would be the best for various purposes.
Classroom Dojo: Students viewed the newest Dojo movie about empathy. In this movie, Mojo gets very nervous and takes out his frustration on his friends.
RESEARCH CHALLENGE: When is Election Day in the United States?
Engage Your Brain: At the Movies--Students practiced their analytical thinking skills as they viewed a movie theater from above and used the diagram to finish sentences. They also matched close-ups from various movies to movie titles.
Critical Thinking: Students evaluated number patterns to determine number "tricks" with multiplication.
American Memorials: Second graders listened to the story of Balto, a sled dog that helped carry serum to the city of Nome,Alaska during a diphtheria epidemic in 1925. The discussed the characteristics of a hero and decided that Balto was a hero. They viewed images of the statue of Balto in New York's Central Park.
Pre-Internet Research--What is a thesaurus? Students compared and contrasted thesauruses and dictionaries. They located information in each resource and decided which one would be the best for various purposes.
Classroom Dojo: Students viewed the newest Dojo movie about empathy. In this movie, Mojo gets very nervous and takes out his frustration on his friends.
RESEARCH CHALLENGE: When is Election Day in the United States?
10/12/2016--All 2nd graders will meet with Mrs. Whiten on Wednesday this week due to the Columbus Day holiday.
In Enrichment this week, 2nd graders will be exploring Venn diagrams, engaging their brains, learning about character traits, and solving logic puzzles.
Critical Thinking: They will help Sybil the Scientist organize her collection of shapes. They will analyze the shapes to determine common attributes. They will use those attributes to label the circles.
American Memorials: Second graders will name heroes and identify character traits in those heroes. They will continue to listen and discuss the book Balto and the Great Race. They will evaluate the character traits of Balto and discuss why there might be a statue dedicated to him. They will research the statue to discover where it is located and why it was decided to create the statue. Using the "superhero" sketches they made last week, students will identify character traits of the heroes they created.
Pre-Internet Research--What is a thesaurus? Students will use a thesaurus to find common words such as "say," and "good." Students will replace common words in sentences with colorful words found in the thesaurus.
Creative Thinking: Students will continue to explore the idea of "fluency," creating more and more ideas to solve the same problem. 2nd graders will look at two situations and think of as many solutions to the two problems as possible.. One situation they will solve is, "I left my lunch at home. What should I do?"
RESEARCH CHALLENGE: In what city is the statue of Balto located?
In Enrichment this week, 2nd graders will be exploring Venn diagrams, engaging their brains, learning about character traits, and solving logic puzzles.
Critical Thinking: They will help Sybil the Scientist organize her collection of shapes. They will analyze the shapes to determine common attributes. They will use those attributes to label the circles.
American Memorials: Second graders will name heroes and identify character traits in those heroes. They will continue to listen and discuss the book Balto and the Great Race. They will evaluate the character traits of Balto and discuss why there might be a statue dedicated to him. They will research the statue to discover where it is located and why it was decided to create the statue. Using the "superhero" sketches they made last week, students will identify character traits of the heroes they created.
Pre-Internet Research--What is a thesaurus? Students will use a thesaurus to find common words such as "say," and "good." Students will replace common words in sentences with colorful words found in the thesaurus.
Creative Thinking: Students will continue to explore the idea of "fluency," creating more and more ideas to solve the same problem. 2nd graders will look at two situations and think of as many solutions to the two problems as possible.. One situation they will solve is, "I left my lunch at home. What should I do?"
RESEARCH CHALLENGE: In what city is the statue of Balto located?
10/3/2016--Today was an awesome Enrichment Day! Second grade students arrived with their thinking caps firmly in place! Students discussed dictionaries: how they are organized, terms like entry words, guide words, and pronunciation keys. They selected a random page in a dictionary and went on a "dictionary dig." Students also used attributes to sort Smurfs, attribute blocks, and pattern blocks. The students also flexed their logical thinking brains to solve a Balance Bender and their critical thinking brains to analyze the word, "Surprise." Additionally, students discussed current events such as the Presidential Debate, attributes of a park ranger, and "smart" tattoos. Finally, they participated in a creative thinking activity in which they were asked to draw a superhero being as original as possible. The results showed these second graders are well-versed in creativity!
Research Challenge: Where is Reagan National Library located?
Research Challenge: Where is Reagan National Library located?
9/21/2016 and 9/26/2016--Exciting, Enriching Activites!!
Engage Your Brain:The students will begin by engaging their brains in a pickling puzzler. They will participate in several different activities that call for creative and critical thinking such as how many slices could be made from a pickle, which pickle jar matched the description, and squeezing in their names into the letters, "PICKLE."
Balance Bender: This logic puzzle requires them to take pictorial facts and apply them to different statements to determine the three true statements. Second grade students are becoming pros at their "If.., then..." statements when explaining their logical thinking processes.
Creative Thinking: Second graders will race to think of as many ways as possible to eat apples. This game will practice the creative thinking component of "fluency," or the ability to generate a quantity of ideas.
American Memorials: This week, we launch into discovering who and what we memorialize. Students will brainstorm memorials and monuments and then analyze their lists for commonalities and develop a “memorial criteria.” They will look at pictures of memorials and monuments around Fayette County to evaluate the people memorialized based on their newly created criteria. Then, they will develop definitions for the following words: hero, memorial, monument, and memorialize.
Finally, we will end our day with a discussion of current events. The current events power point is posted in the "classroom research resources" tab.
RESEARCH CHALLENGE: Which presidents are shown on Mount Rushmore?
Engage Your Brain:The students will begin by engaging their brains in a pickling puzzler. They will participate in several different activities that call for creative and critical thinking such as how many slices could be made from a pickle, which pickle jar matched the description, and squeezing in their names into the letters, "PICKLE."
Balance Bender: This logic puzzle requires them to take pictorial facts and apply them to different statements to determine the three true statements. Second grade students are becoming pros at their "If.., then..." statements when explaining their logical thinking processes.
Creative Thinking: Second graders will race to think of as many ways as possible to eat apples. This game will practice the creative thinking component of "fluency," or the ability to generate a quantity of ideas.
American Memorials: This week, we launch into discovering who and what we memorialize. Students will brainstorm memorials and monuments and then analyze their lists for commonalities and develop a “memorial criteria.” They will look at pictures of memorials and monuments around Fayette County to evaluate the people memorialized based on their newly created criteria. Then, they will develop definitions for the following words: hero, memorial, monument, and memorialize.
Finally, we will end our day with a discussion of current events. The current events power point is posted in the "classroom research resources" tab.
RESEARCH CHALLENGE: Which presidents are shown on Mount Rushmore?
Wednesday, 9/14 and Monday, 9/19--This week in Enrichment, second graders will be brainstorming, analyzing, and practicing the creative thinking skill of flexibility.
American Memorials--The students will brainstorm the develop a working definition of the words memorial and monument. After deciding on definitions, students will work as a group to generate a list of what kind of people or things have monuments or memorials. The students will evaluate the lists to find commonalities. Then, they will examine several American monuments and Fayette County memorials to determine if who or what is being memorialized meets their generated criteria. Second graders will also share their homework, the history and location of two counties in Georgia. They will discuss why they think this person (if the county is named after a person) was honored in this manner. The students will research to discover if there are more memorials to those people.
Pre-Internet Research--What is a dictionary? Students will analyze the parts of a dictionary to break it down into parts in order to discover the function and relationship of each part of the dictionary and to discover the uses of the dictionary based on its parts. Students will also search the dictionary for information and compare and contrast the ease of discovering information in a bound dictionary to an online dictionary.
Engage Your Brain--Students will think of other uses for ordinary objects and practice the creative thinking skill of flexibility. Also, students will engage their critical thinking skills in order to complete "body talk" analogies.
Logic Puzzle: Students will decide three facts about various shapes based on the relationship expressed on a balance scale.
Dojo--Students will watch episode 5 of a video series about how students can develop a growth mindset. The students will discuss the following questions:
1. What does it feel like when something is too challenging? Is it wrong to feel this way?
2. What kind of attitude should we take on when facing a challenge and why is that important?
3. When we ask for help or take a break to reflect on a challenge, does that mean we aren't growing our brain anymore?
RESEARCH CHALLENGE: Who was Neil Armstrong?
American Memorials--The students will brainstorm the develop a working definition of the words memorial and monument. After deciding on definitions, students will work as a group to generate a list of what kind of people or things have monuments or memorials. The students will evaluate the lists to find commonalities. Then, they will examine several American monuments and Fayette County memorials to determine if who or what is being memorialized meets their generated criteria. Second graders will also share their homework, the history and location of two counties in Georgia. They will discuss why they think this person (if the county is named after a person) was honored in this manner. The students will research to discover if there are more memorials to those people.
Pre-Internet Research--What is a dictionary? Students will analyze the parts of a dictionary to break it down into parts in order to discover the function and relationship of each part of the dictionary and to discover the uses of the dictionary based on its parts. Students will also search the dictionary for information and compare and contrast the ease of discovering information in a bound dictionary to an online dictionary.
Engage Your Brain--Students will think of other uses for ordinary objects and practice the creative thinking skill of flexibility. Also, students will engage their critical thinking skills in order to complete "body talk" analogies.
Logic Puzzle: Students will decide three facts about various shapes based on the relationship expressed on a balance scale.
Dojo--Students will watch episode 5 of a video series about how students can develop a growth mindset. The students will discuss the following questions:
1. What does it feel like when something is too challenging? Is it wrong to feel this way?
2. What kind of attitude should we take on when facing a challenge and why is that important?
3. When we ask for help or take a break to reflect on a challenge, does that mean we aren't growing our brain anymore?
RESEARCH CHALLENGE: Who was Neil Armstrong?
9/7 and 9/12/2016-- Second graders will be extending their critical and creative thinking skills by defining heroes, identifying and gathering information from text features, balancing equations, and completing analogies.
Engage Your Brain: Students will think of other uses for ordinary objects and practice the creative thinking skill of flexibility. Also, students will engage their critical thinking skills in order to complete "body talk" analogies.
Research Before the Internet: Students will examine several newspaper articles to locate common text features. Students will then use those features to discover information about tracking sea turtles.
American Memorials: Students will brainstorm ideas about how we remember famous people. The students will give possible explanations as to where the name for the state of Washington originated. They will also name other places and things also named after George Washington. They will discuss reasons why Washington might be remembered and what kind of person he was. Students will predict if any other people are remembered with on coins, buildings, states,or other memorials. Students will draw names for homework assignment. For homework, the students will learn the history and location of two counties in Georgia. They will be prepared to share their knowledge next week.
Logic Puzzle: Students will decide three facts about various shapes based on the relationship expressed on a balance scale.
Dojo: Students will discuss neurons after watching a video clip in which Katie leads Mojo on a journey to learn from the secrets of the brain from a mysterious guru. Students will discuss the following questions:
1) What are neurons and how do we make connections between our neurons?2) Think of an example where you made some new connections in your brain. What were you doing?
3) What can you do this week to make some new connections? Set one specific goal.
RESEARCH CHALLENGE: Who was George Washington Carver?
Engage Your Brain: Students will think of other uses for ordinary objects and practice the creative thinking skill of flexibility. Also, students will engage their critical thinking skills in order to complete "body talk" analogies.
Research Before the Internet: Students will examine several newspaper articles to locate common text features. Students will then use those features to discover information about tracking sea turtles.
American Memorials: Students will brainstorm ideas about how we remember famous people. The students will give possible explanations as to where the name for the state of Washington originated. They will also name other places and things also named after George Washington. They will discuss reasons why Washington might be remembered and what kind of person he was. Students will predict if any other people are remembered with on coins, buildings, states,or other memorials. Students will draw names for homework assignment. For homework, the students will learn the history and location of two counties in Georgia. They will be prepared to share their knowledge next week.
Logic Puzzle: Students will decide three facts about various shapes based on the relationship expressed on a balance scale.
Dojo: Students will discuss neurons after watching a video clip in which Katie leads Mojo on a journey to learn from the secrets of the brain from a mysterious guru. Students will discuss the following questions:
1) What are neurons and how do we make connections between our neurons?2) Think of an example where you made some new connections in your brain. What were you doing?
3) What can you do this week to make some new connections? Set one specific goal.
RESEARCH CHALLENGE: Who was George Washington Carver?
8/29 and 8/31/2016- This week, second grade students will be extending their ability to think both critically and creatively as they begin discussing research before the Internet, patterns, analogies, a logic puzzle, the power of "yet," and current events.
Research before the Internet: Students will discuss facts about the changing face of information by comparing their daily lives with that of a person with a computer-free life. They will evaluate the changes that have been made as a result of inventions and discoveries since 2008.
Engage Your Brain: Second graders will complete a number pattern and discussed how to find a pattern's rule. They will also evaluate several analogies. Additionally, students will read a short paragraph and deduce facts from given information. This activity prepares students to think logically and critically when presented with a problem or a challenge in addition to understanding how to explain their reasoning.
Logic Puzzle: Students will analyze a balance filled with shapes in order to identify the clues, and then synthesize the information to solve the puzzle. Students will decide three relationships that will always be true based on the information presented on the balances.
Dojo: After watching a short video clip, the students will discuss the power of "yet." The big idea of this growth mindset concept is that everyone can learn new things and might need to ask for help. Rather than thinking or saying, "I can't do it," we need to realize that we can't do it YET!
Current Events: Students are learning to think critically and discuss events happening in the state, nation, and world. This week’s current events power point may be accessed here. You may want to discuss the issues with your child at home.
RESEARCH CHALLENGE: How many names are inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington DC?
***Next week, due to the Labor Day holiday, Monday’s students will not have Enrichment. Their next Enrichment day is 9/12.
If you have not yet returned your child's Student Information Sheet, please do so as soon as possible. It provides us with important information that we need to serve your child and communicate with you.
Research before the Internet: Students will discuss facts about the changing face of information by comparing their daily lives with that of a person with a computer-free life. They will evaluate the changes that have been made as a result of inventions and discoveries since 2008.
Engage Your Brain: Second graders will complete a number pattern and discussed how to find a pattern's rule. They will also evaluate several analogies. Additionally, students will read a short paragraph and deduce facts from given information. This activity prepares students to think logically and critically when presented with a problem or a challenge in addition to understanding how to explain their reasoning.
Logic Puzzle: Students will analyze a balance filled with shapes in order to identify the clues, and then synthesize the information to solve the puzzle. Students will decide three relationships that will always be true based on the information presented on the balances.
Dojo: After watching a short video clip, the students will discuss the power of "yet." The big idea of this growth mindset concept is that everyone can learn new things and might need to ask for help. Rather than thinking or saying, "I can't do it," we need to realize that we can't do it YET!
Current Events: Students are learning to think critically and discuss events happening in the state, nation, and world. This week’s current events power point may be accessed here. You may want to discuss the issues with your child at home.
RESEARCH CHALLENGE: How many names are inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington DC?
***Next week, due to the Labor Day holiday, Monday’s students will not have Enrichment. Their next Enrichment day is 9/12.
If you have not yet returned your child's Student Information Sheet, please do so as soon as possible. It provides us with important information that we need to serve your child and communicate with you.
8/15/2016 and 8/17/2016--Second grade students will meet for a half-day class this week. We will continue to discuss how we can make this a great year for learning and begin to explore how the Universal Theme relates to their lives. Students will be introduced to the second grade logic puzzles, Brain Busters. Additionally, they will be given a research challenge to complete for next week.
ClassDojo: Students will discuss positive behaviors and model those behaviors. They will also began to learn about having a "growth mindset." People can think about intelligence as something that is stable (a fixed mindset) or as something that can be grown (a growth mindset). Dozens of studies show that students with a growth mindset embrace challenges and perform better over time. Research also shows that students' mindsets can change through targeted interventions and interactions with adults.
They will watch this short clip to illustrate growth mindset.
Universal Theme: : Second grade students will discuss the meaning of the word, "change." Students will brainstorm different types of changes and discuss truths about change: Changes can be temporary. Changes can be permanent. People can cause change. People can't always control change. The students will create sculptures with playdough to demonstrate temporary changes. They will make homemade playdough (and bring some home) to demonstrate permanent changes. The students will reflect on some changes they have made in their lives.
Logic Puzzle: Brain Buster
Research Challenge: When and by whom was Pluto discovered?
ClassDojo: Students will discuss positive behaviors and model those behaviors. They will also began to learn about having a "growth mindset." People can think about intelligence as something that is stable (a fixed mindset) or as something that can be grown (a growth mindset). Dozens of studies show that students with a growth mindset embrace challenges and perform better over time. Research also shows that students' mindsets can change through targeted interventions and interactions with adults.
They will watch this short clip to illustrate growth mindset.
Universal Theme: : Second grade students will discuss the meaning of the word, "change." Students will brainstorm different types of changes and discuss truths about change: Changes can be temporary. Changes can be permanent. People can cause change. People can't always control change. The students will create sculptures with playdough to demonstrate temporary changes. They will make homemade playdough (and bring some home) to demonstrate permanent changes. The students will reflect on some changes they have made in their lives.
Logic Puzzle: Brain Buster
Research Challenge: When and by whom was Pluto discovered?
8/11/2016--We met together today for an hour. We discussed the units we will be exploring this year, the Enrichment grading scale, and classroom expectations. The students excitedly shared some news of events from the summer. They also expressed delight over several of the activities and topics we will be doing and discussing this year.