Target

Week of September 26, 2011

Our day began constructing balancing equations with our balance scales. We then stretched our inductive and deductive thinking skills with a very challenging logic puzzle. After a review of our vocabulary, we read two engaging chapters of Chasing Vermeer. Our mystery is pulling us in and becoming very elusive as we listed many unusual coincidences and hypothesized about their significance and predictions. Homework is to complete our vocabulary 4-square with: anonymous, simile, precision,symmetry. **Please note: That we will be having Target during the testing weeks. Students will meet for a half day of Target after testing. Please come prepared with Target bag, tally, and homework.

Week of September 26, 2011

Students start the day testing their inductive and deductive thinking skills with a lesson in Hands on Equations, a logic puzzle, and continuing to work on Medieval Math problems. Some classes continued working on the history of names, and some students may need to complete the Name Game for homework.

Students have fun with their research and investigation of the structure and function of a medieval manor and begin to explore the uniqueness of medieval castles. Some students need to complete the design of their successful medieval manor, while others are creating a real estate advertisement for their castle for homework.

Week of September 26, 2011

We received some major news today. Mr. Van Feisty notified us that all the great recipes that we sent him were stolen Sunday night from his locked safe drawer in his office. He has asked us to test our deductive thinking skills and help him and the police investigate and solve this mystery. We brainstormed a lists of "what, when, where, how, who and why" questions that we need to answer in order to solve this mystery. Mr. Van Feisty faxed us the first evidence that was left at the scene. We realized we needed more accurate information to make valid assumptions. Parents, we will keep you posted as our investigation proceeds.

Due to a county Target meeting students returned back to their homerooms early.

 

FOURTH AND FIFTH GRADE PARENTS PLEASE TAKE NOTICE

Dear Parents,

            The week of September 19, we will be studying the role of the church in the middle ages.  On the morning of your child’s Target day, he/she will participate in a simulation activity involving the day in the life of a monk.

            The children will participate in activities such as doing illuminations, eating sparse food, spending time in silence, and doing research.  We want to assure you that this is in no way a religion lesson.  We are totally focusing on the importance of the church in medieval society in providing health care, solace for the poor, education, agriculture and architectural advancement, and knowledge-keeping from the ancient civilizations.  This is a history lesson and we are learning about the church’s influence in the middle ages, not advocating or criticizing any particular religion.

            However, if you do not feel comfortable having your child participate in this lesson, please let your Target teacher know by email or by note.  Arrangements will be made for your child to remain in his/her homeroom class and participate in their daily activities.  They will rejoin the Target class in the afternoon.

            Thank you for your wonderful and continued support of our Target program.

 

The Target Team

I do NOT wish (child’s name)________________to participate in this activity.

Parent  Signature   _____________________________________   

Week of September 19, 2011

Today we spend our morning in the "Sope Creek Abbey" with our simulation activity.  Students learn about the role of the church in society of the Middle Ages and find out that monasteries and churches were the repository for knowledge.  Students research and discover the importance of the role of the monks in sustaining Medieval Society.  The culminating activity is becoming a "scribe" and practicing the Medieval art of illumination.

In the afternoon, we will return to our modern-day selves and watch a video about the Middle Ages and reflect on our experiences.

HOMEWORK:  COMPLETE THE ILLUMINATION IF NOT COMPLETED IN CLASS.

 

Week of September 19, 2011 Third Grade

Our day starts with a math activity with our balance scales and a logic problem "The Basketball Tournament."   We focus our forensic studies today on what DNA is and how it helps forensic scientists solve mysteries. 

We reflect on our homework, "What makes an object art?"  Students need to carefully listen and put together clues in order to guess what a fellow student's art object is. Our novel study Chasing Vermeer  pulls us more into the adventure of Calder and Petra as we read Chapter 5 and 6.   Students work on cracking the code of Tommy's and Calder's letter. We continue our vocabulary study and add the words: disoriented, deliberate, exhilarating, and resembled. 

Homework:  Complete 4 square with vocabulary words if not completed in class.

 

Week of September 19, 2011 Second Grade

This week our brains get moving from a fall weekend with a "Word Boggler" and a logic problem "The Frog Jumping Contest".   With our curiosity and excitement building,  we share our wonderful recipes and some delicious samples, and use our criteria from last week for evaluation.  Mr. Van Feisty sent us a letter that he is anxiously waiting our recipes and appreciates our help. We continue the day with a number mystery puzzle and a secret code  to decode as well as the story "Mystery on the Docks."

Week of September 11, 2011 Fourth and Fifth Grades

Today we begin with Hands On Equations, leveled at the students' needs.  We follow this up with a logic puzzle in the round.  Then, we test our mettle with "Medieval Math" activities.

After creating a graphic organize to illustrate the Feudal System.  Some classes will complete the Internet search from last week while others will review it.  We continue our study of Middle Ages vocabulary by adding the words, "bailiff, fief, and manor" to our dictionary pages.

What fun we are having learning about Medieval names and occupations.  Some of us discovered the origins of our names!  Students can further research at home if they were not able to find out where their names originated.   We play the "Game is the Name" with a partner to match occupations with names.

A video at the end of the day reinforces the structure of Medieval Society.

Homework:  Finish vocabulary as needed.  BRING A HOODED SWEATSHIRT for a simulation activity next week.

Week of September 11, 2011 Third Grade

We begin our day by using our balances to help find missing numbers in equations.  We follow this with a logic puzzle, "Family Tree."

We continue with our novel study, Chasing Vermeer.  Those whose homework was to write a "letter that someone would never forget" share these letters today.  We read chapters 3 and 4 and discuss the value of art.  We follow this up with a vocabulary activity.

Homework:  Students will do Ms. Hussey's homework assignment from the book.  Each student should find something in their home they think is a "work of art." THIS SHOULD BE THEIR OWN THINKING!  In writing, describe this object without telling what it is. (If possible(and not something valuable), students may bring in the object, covered so we can't see it.)

Week of September 11, 2011 Second Grade

This week, we begin by using our new balances to find missing numbers in equations.  We'll follow this activity with a logic puzzle, "Taking Turns at the Post Office."

Today we're asked to help Mrs. DeVane's friend who owns a chocolate design a new kid-friendly chocolate bar to help make his company more successful.  To do this, we  determine what ingredients are in chocolate and then hypothesize and test three chocolate samples to see which ones are the best.  We learn where chocolate comes from, and discuss how recipes are written in preparation for writing our own recipe for the perfect chocolate bar. 

To further our study of fingerprints, we solve "The Case of the Chocolate Fingerprints."  A video about how chocolate is made is the perfect ending to a sweet day!

Homework:  Write a recipe for the perfect chocolate bar and design a unique wrapper for it.  If possible, make it and bring samples for each classmate to taste!