AIG Update

Hello, all! I guess the big news for this update (other than consistently inclement weather) is the addition of third grade AIG services. Regrettably, the snow days have not helped our efforts to have everything in place. However, in meeting with third grade teachers today, we will move forward.

I do appreciate the return of permission to serve forms and include these folks in updates for fourth and fifth. Look for third-specific notes soon!

Here’s what the first of 2015 has been looking like!

Advanced Subject Group in Reading

4:  Mrs. Page in the library has been so helpful not only in allowing us space to work (lots of programming in room 13!) but also opening her library resources for our use. Our latest common reading effort has been Each Little Bird that Sings. This title was part of ACS Battle of the Books in past years, and the multi-copies have been useful to our second, formal literature study. It is a great novel, and kids seem to have enjoyed it. We will wrap up our work with it in the coming weeks. We’ll probably, at that point, move into Junior Great Books activities – allowing these kids to again work on their sharing skills in small group discussions.

5:  Fifth grade have worked collaboratively on the simulation Great Ocean Rescue. This work has students adopting the roles of scientists (geology, environmental science, oceanography, and marine biology) to collaboratively solve environmental problems around the world. There’s a strong component of collaboration here, and I must say these students have done an excellent job working together. The expenses they incur are the source of some competition, as well. There will be another team working through the same activity, and the team spending the least will win. “Should they win what will they win?” That will be yet another collaborative decision.

Advance Subject Group in Math

4:  These students have completed most of a unit introducing algebra. Hands On Equations, as it is called, provides concrete and physical models leading students to a deeper understanding of the concept of algebra – including expressions, equations, and the solving thereof. Math tools are a big part of this work, so there will be some photos accompanying their final work.

5:  Fifth graders worked through a math simulation entitled Adrift. In this work, students worked with partners and the whole-group team to review work with coordinate pairs. The simulation has students locating a lost sailor. Fifth grade ASGR students are making their own challenges around the information presented. Upon their completion, students will work through the new problems.

Comprehensive Study Group

4:  Fourth graders have completed their personal profiles, presented them for recording, and reflected on their work with a rubric for self-assessment. These presentations have been available via the blog for your perusal.

5:  These students worked through the simulation Adrift. If we are fortunate enough to meet this week, they will complete the simulation and move on to:

4/5:  Both CSG groups will work with ThinkFun games to shore up perseverance and reasoning skills. These grant-funded sets of six different games allow students to use a variety of mental skills for problem solving and reasoning. Students will have logs to record their time and effort in an attempt to also shore up perseverance.

Enrichment Study Group

4:  Our simulation work with The Great Solar System Rescue continues.  To solve the problems before them they have had to understand a specific science through reading, process a ton of information from video transmissions and more reading, and, most importantly, share and work with each other to form consensus decisions. There are three teams overall, so we’ll see how they rate at the end of our work!

5:  These students completed an interest inventory to help drive independent projects. Everyone is engaged in this work which varies from computer and sports research to original works of fiction. Although drafts are certainly in the process, we won’t be sharing out until the spring.

Thanks for taking the time to consider our work. I use this blog for updates, as well. There are over 50 posts this year. Please check it out from time to time!

I look forward to a warmer spring!

John Pruett