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Week of May 5th 2nd and 3rd

Third graders learned their last lesson in Hands-On-Equations for this year.  They finally got to use the white pawns (ask them about it). Second graders worked on Number Corners. All students worked on a grid perplexer about colors and races, and some students had time to use their imaginations to transform clouds into unusual and varied objects.

Students shared their news stories on Amelia Earhart.  They learned about the parts of an airplane while building a plane on the avkids website.  They then completed a diagram and crossword puzzle on airplane parts.

We reviewed the forces involved in flight and completed a study guide in preparation for the unit test next week. Students should review the guide for homework.

Next week will be our last Target class for the year. Our time with our second graders will be cut short next week because of their visit with the Australian Bakery.  We are asking our second graders to make at least 1 paper airplane at home to bring to school next week.  They were given sheets with instructions. Third graders will make theirs in class.

Week of April 28 2nd and 3rd

Because of CRCT testing, our time with our third graders was considerably shortened this week.

Second graders started the day with Triangle Math Circuits, a challenging math puzzle.  They then worked on a Logic-in-the-Round brainteaser, Skydivers. All students worked on Logic Links, an activity that combines logic with the ability to follow written directions.

Second graders watched a video on the life of Amelia Earhart. All students reviewed the last days of her life, drew their own conclusions about her disappearance, and began a newspaper article that would provide proof of their choice.

The year is quickly come to an end.  Our last meeting with the third graders will be May 12, and our last meeting with the second graders will be May 16.  If you would like to help with the year end celebrations, send a note with your student and we will pass them on to our Room Moms.

Week of April 22nd 2nd and 3rd

Our third grade students began the day with the next lesson in Hands-On-Equations.  They then sharpened their deductive reasoning skills to work on a Logic in the Round activity called "Skydivers". Some students completed "Flying Solo" , a visual thinking activity, and some finished The Brainy Rotations from last week.

All students watched a video "The Sky's the Limit" about early female aviators.  They got to see some actual footage of barnstormers. Students listened to a story about Amelia Earhart and watched a video about her career as a pilot. The possible reasons for her disappearance were discussed.  Students performed some activities with their parachutes.

Because of CRCT testing this week, our time with our 2nd graders was considerably shortened. We wish all of our students success this week.

Week of April 22nd 2nd and 3rd

Our third grade students began the day with the next lesson in Hands-On-Equations.  They then sharpened their deductive reasoning skills to work on a Logic in the Round activity called "Skydivers". Some students completed "Flying Solo" , a visual thinking activity, and some finished The Brainy Rotations from last week.

All students watched a video "The Sky's the Limit" about early female aviators.  They got to see some actual footage of barnstormers. Students listened to a story about Amelia Earhart and watched a video about her career as a pilot. The possible reasons for her disappearance were discussed.  Students performed some activities with their parachutes.

Because of CRCT testing this week, our time with our 2nd graders was considerably shortened. We wish all of our students success this week.

Week of Aril 14th 2nd and 3rd

WELCOME BACK     We're so glad to have everyone back, refreshed and ready to "fly" to the end of the year.

All of the third grade students have now completed Level I in Hands-On-Equations. They will spend the next 5 weeks on Level II.  It's amazing what they have learned about Algebra.  Our second graders worked on Math Circuits. These puzzles require math skills and logical reasoning.  All students worked on "Brainy Rotations", a word puzzle, and completed some visual intelligence activities called "Noodlers".

Students continued our Journey on flight by discussing the advancements made in the 1910s and 20s.  Students learned about barnstormers and about one famous barnstormer, Charles Lindbergh.  They then completed a Venn diagram comparing Lindbergh and Bleriot. Students continue to work on their Milestones in Flight time line.

Students observed and discussed the effects of drag on a parachute.

http://www.avkids.com/hangar/smartparts/ - See the parts of an airplane!

The Week of March 31st 2nd and 3rd grades

It was so nice to have our third grade back on Monday again.  It's a nice way to begin the week.

The third graders continued to work on Hands-On-Equations while the second graders worked on math Venn Perplexors. The Venn Perplexers are quite challenging for our second graders. but many are showing improvement.  Try one yourself.

Both groups worked on Word Pictures and both groups completed a challenging matrix logic puzzle (Barnstormer's Dilemma) that required an atlas to solve.

In unit work, students complete a matching activity that required them to review some early fliers and introduced them to some new ones.  They completed a time line in conjunction with this activity.

Finally the students watched the video, Wings of Madness, the story of Alberto Santos Dumont, and early French aeronaut.

We wish everyone a safe and restful Spring Break and look forward to the final stretch of the year with our students.

Liz Goldstein, Valerie Verduci, Lee Lindsley, and Judy Bullard

Week of March 24th 2nd and 3rd

Our second graders worked on math patterns while our third graders sharpened their algebraic skills with the next lesson in Hands-On-Equations.  Both groups worked on a Logic Matrix Puzzle, "Spring Bulbs" and used their vocabulary and thinking skills to complete a word chain.

Students reviewed the Wright Brothers before completing a writing assignment based on the work of the brothers.  Students listened to "The Glorious Flight" about the French aeronaut Bleriot and his historic flight across the English Channel.  Students stepped into the past and used their creative talents to design a poster such as Bleriot might have seen, announcing a challenge to be the first to fly across the English Channel.

Week of March 17th 2nd and 3rd Grade

Third grade students worked on the next lesson in Hands-On-Equations, while the second graders used their math vocabulary skills to solve a math vocabulary puzzle entitled "I've Got Your Number". All students worked on a new picture puzzle, and completed "Dyeing to Lay Eggs", a logic puzzle.

Students continued to learn about the Wright Brothers and the gallant fliers that came before them. They used their knowledge to complete a Cloze activity.

We introduced the concept of "thrust".  Students completed two experiments on thrust and predicted the final resting place of our "rocket balloon".

HOMEWORK: Some third graders will finish  "I've Got Your Number" for homework.

Thank you to the many who volunteered to run copies for the second and third grade.  We had so many volunteers that you may only be asked to run copies once. Our masters are ready by Thursday and copies usually run Thursday or Friday. You'll receive a call when your turn is up. 

Thank you,

Valerie Verduci, Liz Goldstein, Lee Lindsley, and Judy Bullard.

Week of March 10 2nd and 3rd Grade

Third graders continued to build  on their math skills as they completed the next lesson in Hands-On-Equations.  Second graders worked on math Venn Perplexors. Both grades worked on a logic matrix puzzle called "Favorite Bicycles" and a word picture puzzle.

Students read about the Montgolfier brothers and the birth of the Hot Air Balloon.  They watched an activity demonstrating how hot air causes things to rise. 

Students learned about some of the early pioneers in flight like Otto Lilienthal and  Clement Ader.  They studied glider flight movement and directional vocabulary and practiced "flying" out side. Students were introduced to the Wright Brothers and watched a short video on the flight at Kitty Hawk.

Thank you,

Mrs. Verduci, Mrs. Bullard, Mrs. Lindsley, and Mrs. Goldstein

If you would like to try the balloon activity at home, check out instructions on the following site: http://pbskids.org/zoom/activities/sci/hotairballoon.html#result.

Week of March 3rd 2th and 3rd Grades

The students are so excited about all the things they do in Target.  Please take some time each week to go over the activities they bring home and talk to them about what they are learning.

Our third graders continue to gain expertise in Hands-On-Equations this week. Students are on lessons 4, 5, or 6. Second grade students used their thinking skills to solve some challenging math puzzles.

All of our students worked on a graphing activity that required spatial intelligence and the ability to follow written directions. Students completed a logic matrix Perplexor called "Birdwatching" and used their verbal thinking skills to solve word pictures.

We discussed gravity and Galileo's findings and them completed some activities to see if he was right.  We talked about the connection between lift and gravity in relation to the helicopter activities we completed last week.

We ended our day watching a well-made documentary comparing bird flight to modern aircraft.

Thank you,

The Target Team