Pruett's AIG Blog for IBJ

Our fifth grade ESG classes have finally ALL completed the Great Ocean Rescue. In this work, the Monday team - dreadfully set back by many missed days (weather, workdays, holidays...) - finally completed their fourth and final mission today - and WON! I'll publish final results for all in the coming weeks. Until then, enjoy this impromptu celebration! Congrats to all three teams, too! 

Third graders in our advanced subject group for reading are working through introductory lessons with Junior Great Books. We've been reading interesting short stories but really focusing on working together in seminars to discuss literature! Great to get to know these excellent readers and thinkers!

For your persistence in keeping up with this blog, here's a peek at the next AIG Update, that will go out next week. Thanks for tuning in! ASGM (advanced subject group in math): 5 Math students have moved into a new simulation, Cliffbound! This math work focuses on rates and presents students with a stranded couple of hikers to be saved. Students have to work together to solve problems, and we have ‘answer rounds’ at the end of every assignment where not only answers but methods are reviewed! 4 These students have been working on a released copy of the Noetic Math Contest, an opportunity they’ll have later in the year. This work provides challenging work including multi-step problems and logic. We’ll start reviewing the more challenging problems in the coming week. 3 Students have played a couple of challenging math games. In 24, they must manipulate numbers to make an equation equalling, you guess it, 24. They also have worked on completing “It all adds up” puzz...

Thursday was a busy day for fifth grade. The Tuvan throat singers and author skyping were on the menu (see below)! And in addition, all fifth grade AIG students met with Marni Cartiff, one of Asheville Middle School's AIG specialists. Ms. Cartiff visited to share with Jones students what AIG services look like at Asheville Middle. We packed everyone in my room and had an informative time! Many thanks to her for her time in preparing Jones students for AMAZING things to come at Asheville Middle!

What a treat today to get to see this wonderful band of Tuvan throat singers! And Jones gets in on the fun!

Here are some fourth and fifth graders Skyping with writers! Thanks for the opportunity, Ms. Page!

Fifth grade ESG students have moved into a study of the Revolutionary War - specifically the role of women in the Revolutionary War. We'll be looking at three primary documents, the first of which is Milcah Martha Moore's   Patriotic Poesy. Students read the poem and worked with small groups to translate it into modern terms. Here's the poem: Here's their interpretation:

Here's another of our wonderful Math Problem of the Week winners! Keep up the good work, mathematicians!!

Here is another winner of the Math Problem of the Week! Congrats to another budding mathematician!

Ms. Crisp's class is always a hub of activity. Several of her students worked together to write and edit The Crispy News . Here's a copy for your perusal. Way to go, ladies!

Here's a look at the JGB expectations for seminars, group work, life itself. 3-5 AIG students should be familiar.

Hopefully you can read some of the myriad of questions fourth grade ESG students concocted about our universe! After a fairly intense simulation, students brainstormed ideas to learn about beyond our work. They will be working individually to discover even more - and share with you! Stay tuned for more from these "WonderWalls!"  And thanks to Eva Page for initiating work with such inquiry!

Here they are, doing what they do best! Fourth grade has really stepped up into leadership roles!

Above and below are fifth graders demonstrating their understanding of Maxine Rose Shur's story The Peddler's Gift . In this story, Leibush learns there is more to the peddler Shimon than many might think. Here is an imaginative 'further adventure' of Shimon, as he asks for a loan to build a store. AND the banker's response. Ask your kids about the story!

This week's Math Problem of the Week winner. We are proud!

For some work in ESG, students complete pre and post assessments to garner what they know and have learned. Essentially the same assignment, here is an example of what students demonstrate before and after an interactive unit based in our solar system.