Every Wednesday we 'wonder' about a specific topic or theme. This past Wednesday, instead of selecting a topic, we simply shared what we were personally wondering about. After brainstorming as a class, each student wrote down two things they wonder about. We gathered together again and shared the one wonder that we liked the best. We compiled these favourite wonders in a digital book using Book Creator.
We have focused a great deal on how to be respectful, collaborative, and contributing partners so that when we work in groups everyone can be successful. We talk about the "group plan", which is the goal or task each member is focused on. To be successful, each member needs to focus on the group plan and communicate with other members so that everyone is included and on task.
Today was Wonder Wednesday, which usually means we formulate questions on a specific topic, then learn a bit about the topic. Today we mixed things up a bit and explored one, pre-selected, question "does an object move differently on different types of surfaces". The first activity was to try sliding a beanbag on various surfaces, each with different textures. Once this was done we gathered together to share our observations. Next we explored the effects of wind resistance on a light scarf. We noticed the different paths a scarf may travel as it drifts down to the ground and we tried to slow the scarf's fall by increasing the wind resistance. Lastly we discussed different types of forces that can be applied to move an object such as pull, push, shove, drop, kick, throw, etc. It was a wonderful afternoon of wondering, answering and learning! Our adventures with measuring, science and using iPads continues! Working in Partners this week, the kids tested the distance a toy car travelled when released on a flat surface compared with the help of different height ramps. Partners had to decide on what car to use, who would record the raw info, how to build the first and second ramps, and who would capture the evidence with the iPad. Partner work takes a great deal of communicating and collaborating but as the pictures above illustrate, the kids are getting the hang of it. During the car tests, the students took pictures of how far the car had travelled and recorded the distance in centimetres. They combined their data into one picture using Pic Collage and created the images below. We have had a fun week immersed in pirate writing. We spent three days developing ideas about what kind of pirate each student would be, then they wrote. The writing was completed independently - that is to say, they didn't receive help from an adult for sentence structure, ideas or spelling. The writing is truly impressive! To celebrate, and share the results, the kids recorded themselves reading their work. Of course a regular movie just wouldn't do so we used the Green Screen App to make it look as though each student was on a Pirate Ship. Students worked in pairs to complete the movies. They first had to select a backdrop, record each other and save the results. For our next project the students will need to work on projecting their voices and holding the iPad steady. To see the finished movies click here. |
Ms. Shawna WoodPassionate about teaching, learning, inclusion and kindness. Archives
August 2019
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