Math:
Thank you to Ms. Jessica for subbing for me Monday and Tuesday. She taught the Marionettes how to find the volume of rectangular prisms, the Saplings independent probability, and the Vroomshrooms the quadratic formula. When I returned Wednesday and Thursday the Marionettes and Vroomshrooms worked on unit reviews while the Saplings learned how to find the probability of dependent events.
ELA:
On Monday we held our very last book clubs of the year. We discussed the endings of our books, new insights from our reading, and whether or not previous predictions held up. Students also identified the themes of their novels–the overarching messages and universal truths about human behavior. The students spent time working on the black out poetry they began last week.
For the remainder of the week, everyone worked on the very last essay of the year! Their first job was picking a prompt based on one of the novels’ themes and unpacking it to make sure they addressed every point. Next they completed a graphic organizer to organize their thoughts and pull quotes from the text to support their ideas. Everyone worked at their own pace to move through the writing process: prewriting, drafting on a shared Google doc, revising and editing, and publishing.
We paused writing from time to time to review important elements of academic writing, like no using contractions or 1st/2nd person point of view, as well as appropriate transitions for introducing text quotations. Along the way, students checked in at my “customer service counter” for one-on-one help and clarification on writing topics like how to punctuate a quote within a quote, how to double space on a Google doc, how to shift from 1st person to 3rd person, etc.
Theme:
Hard to believe that its already May; it’s been such a great and successful year in Theme! RThis week we tackled animal relationships through symbiosis. Students defined each type of symbiotic relationship and demonstrated their understanding both digitally and in their journals. We took a Symbiosis Walk outside to spot mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism up close. Students noted everything from bird’s nesting in trees, to bees visiting flowers to gather and spread. We described these relationships in our journals as well.
Our last Mini-Project of the year had student groups creating models of real symbiotic relationships using recycled materials. The depth of their thinking and their ingenuity in presentation was shown bright through these models; everything from dogs with fleas, to parasitic louse that eat and replace fish tongues was demonstrated. Students had a blast and really showcased their group work skills. Great week for theme!!
Top: Students select their prompt and draft our final essay of the year. Bottom: Marionettes take a brain/movement break during essay writing.
Theme students work on applying the ideas of Symbiosis to digital games and model building
Students used a Symbiosis walkabout to identify example of symbiotic relationships.
Documenting relationships including birds in trees and bees gathering nectar from flowers while pollinating them, students apply their understanding of Symbiotic relationships outside AHB
