Check out these Projects!

My little friends worked soooo hard on this project. Check out their awesome work! All 40 of them are in the slideshows below ;)

Understanding Arrays

Over the past few weeks, we have been studying factors, multiples, and arrays. Friends have learned that
factor x factor = multiple (product). The first couple of times we explored with arrays, we had the dimensions facing up (like in the picture below). Given those factors, friends had to figure out the product. They used different strategies in order to help them solve the problem. We noticed many things. One thing in particular was that square numbers can easily be defined as a number that has a square array. In order to have a square array, the dimenions (factors) have to be the same number. The 6 x 6 and 7 x 7 arrays show the square numbers 36 and 49. We explored with array cards again last week, except this time we had the product facing up and had to figure out the dimensions. Not only did we have to know the factors for that product, but we had to eliminate ones that would not make sense based on the shape of the array. For example, for 42, we know that 42 definitely has the factors of 1 and itself. However, we know that 1 x 42 or 42 x 1 array would not make sense at all when looking at the rectangle in the picture below. As friends were working, I noticed a few groups who came across 49 and 42. This was definitely something to talk about in closing meeting. They said from practicing their multiplication combinations and seeing that 49 is a perfect square, they know the dimensions must be 7 x 7. When trying to figure out the dimensions for 42, They put 42 on top of and then next to 49. They realized that 42 and 49 have the same number of columns but a different number of rows. Some explanations from the kids were:

42 has one less row than 49.

49 has one more row than 42.

42 has one less group of 7 than 49.

49 has one more group of 7 than 42.

Because of what they knew about 49, friends were able to conclude that 42 was missing 1 x 7 (read as 1 'group of ' 7) and that the dimensions are 7 columns x 6 rows. Awesome job!

*Practicing your multiplication facts at home is so important. Using what you know can really help you solve problems that you are still working on ;)

The Rock Cycle!

Over the past several weeks, we have been studying rocks and minerals. Recently, we focused on the three different types of rocks: Sedimentary, Igenous, and Metamorphic. Once we learned about the different types of rocks, we focused on how they are constantly changing. We used what we know about rocks, our textbook, and an awesome website to help us create posters that illustrate the Rock Cycle. These are some of the coolest posters EVER. Friends put so much effort into them, so I decided it would only make sense to display each one on the back wall of our classroom. :) Check out the slideshow of our super scientists at work!

Social Studies Project

Here is another example of the Social Studies Project :D Be as creative as you'd like!

Lunch Duty

This year, teachers have lunch duty twice a week. This is a huge change from last year. In the past, we would drop our kids off at lunch and our amazing paraprofessionals had duty in the dining room. Due to the budget cuts, we lost those amazing paras who do more in this school then people would ever imagine.

Because of this change, teachers now have duty days for recess and lunch. I have to be honest in saying that I was a bit nervous about having lunch duty. However, it has been a very cool experience. I get to know my students on a totally different level. It is so neat to watch them socialize with friends, to learn what foods they love and those they absolutely hate, and to know that they actually do talk about what they are learning in school that day. This little collage I put together is just a clip of what my experience in the dining room was like today.

I got to see the funny image FJ and GB created with two milk cartons. I learned FC does not like the crust on her sandwich. I watched MH and EM build their friendship. I watched KB read a poem from Mrs. Constande. And finally, I learned that BL can do this crazy thing with his arm!

Good times!

How to Leave a Comment :)

We've been having some technical difficulties when it comes to the comments but I think I have figured it out! I tried this and it worked...

If you want to comment on a post, scroll down on the post and click where it has (#) comments. Leave your comment in the box and make sure you put your NAME

When it says to select your profile, choose anonymous. Click preview to see what your comment will look like. Then, just click on post comment. It may not show up right away because I have to approve them. Hope this works :)

In Class: Rock Cycle Assignment week of 9/12

Use the picture and link below to help you create a poster illustrating the Rock Cycle.


http://www.learner.org/interactives/rockcycle/diagram.html


Once you pull up the diagram from the link above, click on the images to view the animations which explain each part of the Rock Cycle.

Understanding Sedimentary Rock

Social Studies Project

For this take-home project, you will make a three dimensional map of Florida that correctly represents the land elevations, cities, waterways, and the lines of latitude and longitude on each side of Tallahassee and Jacksonville. Your project should show that Florida is a peninsula bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. It should also show that Georgia and Alabama are our neighboring states. You will need to identify our state capital, Tallahassee, and our city, Jacksonville, on your map. Your map will also need to show the St. Johns River, Lake Okeechobee, and the location of the Everglades.

The map may be made from clay, play-dough, or even cookie dough (baked!). It is up to your imagination! You may identify the cities with a toothpick prick and write the name in marker or you may write it in icing. You may choose to paint the lines of latitude and longitude with marker, paint, yarn, or whatever you can create. This project should be FUN and help you better understand the geography of our state. :)

This project is DUE SEPTEMBER 30TH!

Use the rubric below as a 'check-off' for your elements.

Element	3	2	1
Map is 3-dimensional and accurately represents the land elevations in Florida
Map correctly represents Florida as a peninsula
Map shows the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico in the correct location
The neighboring states of Georgia and Alabama are correctly identified and labeled
Tallahassee and Jacksonville are correctly identified and labeled
The St. Johns River is clearly identified from the source to the mouth and is labeled
Lake Okeechobee is correctly identified and labeled
The Florida Everglades are correctly identified and labeled.
The lines of latitude and longitude on each side of Tallahassee & Jacksonville are drawn in and labeled.
The map includes a compass rose and a key
Project demonstrates creative effort
Total Points

Explore Learning: Gizmos!

For the first two weeks of Science, we have been studying Minerals. I wasn't sure how exciting this unit was going to be. I mean, at first glance, rocks and minerals don't appear too thrilling. Thank goodness I was completely wrong. All it took was some enthusiasm and some awesome technology and my friends were hooked...

Over the past two weeks we've learned lots of cool things like:
a) All rocks are made of minerals
b) Over 3,000 minerals have been identified
c) Minerals can be identified by testing their physical properties (color, luster, streak and hardness)
d) A Diamond (Miss Donofrio's favorite) is the hardest mineral :)

We observed and collected our own data with about 7 types of minerals in class. Friends really enjoyed the hands-on experience. Because we didn't have a huge variety of minerals, we brought in some AWESOME technology to help us out.

explorelearning.com is a website that offers something called 'Gizmos.' Gizmos are online simulations that power inquiry and understanding of Science and Math. The screen shot below shows just a glimpse of our 'Mineral Identification' Gizmo. With this Gizmo, my friends were able to explore 26 different minerals and test all the physical properties with just a few clicks of a mouse! I was impressed with how REAL this virtual experience felt. We collected a ton of data and reached the conclusion that the only way to really identify a mineral is to test all the physical properties. What's really great about this website, is that each friend in my class has a username and password and can access the Gizmos in and out of school. After exploring with the Gizmo for a couple of days, minerals started flooding backpacks and friends couldn't wait to share one they just found or one that had been taking up space on their shelf for years. I feel great because I know how much they got out of the experience and how now they look at something as simple as a rock or mineral very differently than they did just two weeks ago. :)