Monday, December 15, 2014
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
Our Road to Personalized Learning in Math
We are gearing up to launch personalized learning in our classroom with math as our first focus. We have been preparing and practicing the components of what a day in math will look like once everyone is working at the lesson and pace they need. To do this we have all been working on the same lesson each day. Once we "launch" personalized math next unit, students may be working on different lessons entirely from the rest of their classmates, or they may be working at the same speed as multiple students in our class. Ultimately the learning path they take will be formed around the pace they learn best. For some that may mean they are able to rapidly master material independently, for others it may mean they work well in a partnership or small group, and for some guided instruction by a teacher may be the best option. As we dive into this new endeavor, we will be able to better articulate the best way for us to learn.
Take a look at the steps we are taking!
Step 1: Lessons are given over video by Mrs. Becker. Students understand which materials they will need for the lesson, and can choose the location at which they want to learn at for the day. If they are on a similar lessons, peers can choose to work in partnerships or groups to complete tasks.
Step 2: Students use manipulatives, white boards, or their math journals to actively participate in the video lesson targeting a specific learning goal. They are asked to pause the video multiple times to work through questions. At any time a student can find a teacher for clarification on a video topic.
Step 3: Students demonstrate their understanding of the learning through their math journals, and understand where check points are to check with a teacher to make sure they are understanding the learning goal and objectives.
Step 4: Mrs. Becker circulates to check in on students and answers questions and gives mini tutorials as the need arises. She pulls small groups of students to work on specific instruction or works one on one with students to fine tune skills.
Step 5 (to come): Students will follow a learning plan to determine the course at which they complete lessons. This will be determined by pre tests (to determine learning gaps and needs) as well as previous completion of activities and lessons.
Step 6 (to come): Students will be able to work through their paths at a pace which allows them to gain understanding of the learning targets, they will also have the opportunity to participate in math projects and challenges which will target real world problem solving skills as well.
Take a look at the steps we are taking!
Step 1: Lessons are given over video by Mrs. Becker. Students understand which materials they will need for the lesson, and can choose the location at which they want to learn at for the day. If they are on a similar lessons, peers can choose to work in partnerships or groups to complete tasks.
Step 2: Students use manipulatives, white boards, or their math journals to actively participate in the video lesson targeting a specific learning goal. They are asked to pause the video multiple times to work through questions. At any time a student can find a teacher for clarification on a video topic.
Step 3: Students demonstrate their understanding of the learning through their math journals, and understand where check points are to check with a teacher to make sure they are understanding the learning goal and objectives.
Step 4: Mrs. Becker circulates to check in on students and answers questions and gives mini tutorials as the need arises. She pulls small groups of students to work on specific instruction or works one on one with students to fine tune skills.
Step 5 (to come): Students will follow a learning plan to determine the course at which they complete lessons. This will be determined by pre tests (to determine learning gaps and needs) as well as previous completion of activities and lessons.
Step 6 (to come): Students will be able to work through their paths at a pace which allows them to gain understanding of the learning targets, they will also have the opportunity to participate in math projects and challenges which will target real world problem solving skills as well.
Team Building: Cup Stacking Challenge
Cup Stacking Challenge!
Students were tasked with making a 6 cup pyramid without being able to actually touch the cup. They were given a rubber band with strings attached. Each student could only touch one string, and they had to work together to pull the rubber band wide enough to be able to grab the cup securely. Take a look at how we worked together!
Students were tasked with making a 6 cup pyramid without being able to actually touch the cup. They were given a rubber band with strings attached. Each student could only touch one string, and they had to work together to pull the rubber band wide enough to be able to grab the cup securely. Take a look at how we worked together!
Friday, November 14, 2014
Take a look at our Blogs!
Head to the student websites tab on this blog to take a look at all of our personal blogs! Each week we are given a blogging challenge. We work on different learning targets that we have been introduced to each week within our blog post. You will notice our latest post practiced writing an essay with a thesis statement, reasons, and a conclusion. We also practice commenting on others posts with questions, feedback, or appreciations.
We would love to hear your questions, feedback, and appreciations as well! Log on and let us know what you think about our writing!
Thursday, November 13, 2014
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
OSMO for Ipad
Our class has the exciting opportunity to pilot a new add on for Ipads! OSMO is a learning tool that attaches to our ipad, and comes with different learning activities. It allows us to manipulate activity pieces on a surface outside of the ipad, and recognizes what we are moving/manipulating on the ipad. Today we checked out the Tangram learning experience. The app on the ipad showed us an outline of a picture, and we were able to manipulate the tangram pieces on the table to put the picture together. The app then recognizes which pieces we have put in the correct location and fills them in within the picture. How Cool! Soon, we will also try out a word activity and an engineering activity!
Take a look at us in action!
Monday, November 10, 2014
WI Map skills
Today we practiced finding cities in Wisconsin using the legend of a map and the coordinates the legend gives for each city! We found some popular tourist destinations as well as some tiny towns and cities!
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
Check out our new Reading Incentive! Reading Super Stars!!
Each student has a goal this year to read at least 20 chapter books. This goal can be accomplished by reading at both home and school! Each chapter book that a 4th grader reads will earn them a Reading Superstar charm to be placed on their lanyard on our reading superstar bulletin board! Look at all the charms we've already earned this year!!
Friday, October 31, 2014
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
Realistic Fiction Writing Celebration
Yesterday we held our first writing celebration over cookies and juice! We read each others published realistic fiction stories and wrote compliments and questions on our paper table cloths. Take a look at our celebration in action.
Monday, October 20, 2014
Monday, October 13, 2014
Room Math Review
Starting the day off right with a little room math review! A scavenger hunt to find the questions, gets us up moving and collaborating while we review for our unit test!
Thursday, October 9, 2014
What's My Number
Recently we played a number guessing game. Student's had numbers between 100 and 10,000 taped to their backs. Their job was to ask another player if their number was ****. The other player's response was either higher/ lower/ or correct. We had a lot of fun narrowing our number down by those clues until we were able to guess the correct number!
Kahoot, Flubaroo, and Canva
Recently I presented a few different sites that we use in 4th grade (either as sites I use to aid in planning, assessing or creating activities, or as sites I use with students) to Marshall Elementary teachers during Professional Development time.
If you are interested in the step by step instructions for using these sites please click the icons below.
A site to create documents, posters, invitations etc. using mostly free text editors, backgrounds, graphics and layouts.
A site that grades assessments made on google forms
A quiz/survey/discussion site allowing students to answer questions projected on a smartboard from their own device (chrome book, ipad, phone, tablet etc)
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Thursday, September 25, 2014
BUZZ about books!
We sure can buzz about books! We tried our hand recently at buzzing in "real time" on Todaysmeet.com. We were able to see what each other had to say and respond, all while we listened to the story Miss Smith's Incredible Story Book.
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
SCIENCE! Electrical Circuits in action!
Today we used Brain Pop to watch a short video on Electrical Circuits, learned all about circuit diagrams and the symbols that are used, and built our very own circuits! We did awesome job trying out different prototypes until we got a circuit that lit our lightbulb up! Many groups were even successful adding an on/off switch to their circuit! Take a look at our exploration in action!
Friday, September 19, 2014
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
Science: Which Popcorn Pops the Best? A scientific method inquiry!
This week, to continue learning about the scientific method, we performed an experiment to determine which popcorn pops the best (leaving the least amount of popcorn kernels un-popped).
We broke into groups and used our new web forum, Google Classroom, to work through the steps of the scientific method. The cool thing about Google Classroom, is it allows students to work from their google drive and "Turn In" their lab reports to me, with minimal steps. More on google classroom later!
Ask your child if their popcorn popped well, and if they were correct in their hypothesis!
Take a look at our learning in action!
Sunday, September 14, 2014
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
Unit 1 Math Study Link and Parent Letter
Below is the Study Link and Parent letter. If you would like to print an extra copy please click on the picture(s) below.
Snack Calendar
The Snack Calendar for the year went home last week. Please let me know if you have any questions! You can print an extra copy, or simply look up your child's date from the link below (just click on the picture)
Saturday, August 23, 2014
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
Camp Read Alot
On Friday of this week, the 4th graders have earned a reading campout! We will spend the day engaging ourselves in different reading activities! Your student may bring a blanket to use throughout the day (inside and outside) if they would like to.
Congrats kiddos on a job well done!
Congrats kiddos on a job well done!
Monday, April 28, 2014
Field Trips and Ellis Island Day
Hey All,
Just wanted to let you know that our field trip to Old World will be rescheduled from June 2nd to June 5th, due to scheduling issues on Old World's end. I will send home a note with the 4th graders today explaining the change so you can change it on your calendars.
Also, next week, May 9th, the 4th graders will be participating in Ellis Island day. It is a half day simulation which takes them through an experience similar to what it may have been like at Ellis Island (or as similar as we can make it :) ) We are looking for volunteers to help us make this experience great. If you or anyone you know (grandparents, aunts, uncles, neighbors) would be willing to come spend the afternoon of Friday the 9th of May with us, we would greatly appreciate it!
This Friday is our trip to the Waterloo Trailhead. The weather looks iffy, but I think the plan is to go rain or shine. Please remind your child to dress appropriately for the weather :)
Hope all is well with anyone, please let me know if there is anything you need from me!
Monday, April 7, 2014
Field Trip Pictures
Sorry for the delay but I wanted to share with you some pictures from our field trip last month! We had a blast :)
After a fantastic performance at MATC by the WI Symphony Orchestra we went to the Kohl Center. We got a full backstage tour!
Afterwards, we took a walk around the Capitol!
Finally, we ended our day at the Veteran's Museum
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