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February 2020This has been a GREAT month in GT!
1st & 2nd Grade - We traveled to the heart of the Renaissance Period, Italy! While visiting Italy, we learned about the architecture of the Leaning Tower of Pisa, then built our own versions. We learned about the four master artists, DiVinci, Michelangelo, Rafael, and Donatello. We looked at Divinci's "Mona Lisa" and "Lady with an Ermine" and used Sandra Kaplan's Depth & Complexity icons to evaluate: the details in the paintings, the rules Divinci followed, the patterns that emerged in his works, and ultimately the big idea he was trying to get across. We then picked our favorite of the two and recreated our own versions. Next we learned about Michelangelo and his works. We then emulated his artistic style by creating masterpieces of something we are passionate about that included action. We completed these works laying on our backs simulating the way he painted the Sistine Chapel. We wrapped up our tour of Italy learning about the language of the country and how mozzarella cheese is made. 3rd Grade - We have immersed ourselves in Molecules to the Max. We began this study by watching an animated video that took us through an adventure with various elements to discover the meaning of life. Next we learned about atoms and molecules and their size relative to other objects in the world. This led us into an examination of how scientist and mathematicians use scientific notation. We reviewed our Periodic Table knowledge in preparation for our next adventure, building compounds. 4th Grade - We moved on from the basics of Forensic Science, into solving cases. We have solved cases involving handwriting analysis, finger print analysis, behavior analysis/body language/deception, and animal tracking. We are also re-familiarizing ourselves with the Rubik's Cubes in preparation for an upcoming project/competition. Stay tuned for more details. 5th Grade - We are continuing our robotics, coding & programming with our Lego Mindstorm Robots. We have been modifying our build designs and exploring the functionality of the various sensors. This semester we will be weaving in some STEAM projects; our first being the study of origami. The students read an article about a particular type/style of origami, then created a poster summarizing what they learned. These posters can be viewed along the wall outside of the GT classroom. We then put what we learned to work as we were given six different origami projects to tackle with a partner. Overall this has been a fantastically HECTIC month and I can't wait to jump into March! 12/9/19 - 12/20/19We made it! With all the craziness of the approaching holidays, our pull out schedule was a bit chaotic the last two weeks!
1st & 2nd Grade - We finished up our visit to Costa Rica by exploring the rain forest, home to 70% of Earth's living creatures! We created a "Save the Rain Forest tshirt" to help spread the word about the effects of deforestation. 3rd Grade - We learned about the process of crystallization and conducted an experiment using borax, hot water and pipe cleaners to create a custom crystallized ornament. 4th Grade - We examined the intricacies of Graphology, the study of handwriting, and what it suggests about our personality characteristics. We talked about generalizations and exceptions those generalizations. 5th Grade - We watched the movie Big Hero 6 and had a great discussion using Sandra Kaplan's Depth & Complexity Icons examine topics such as trends, changes over time, patterns, multiple perspectives, ethical considerations and the big idea. This has been a wonderful semester with your children! I hope you all have a relaxing break and I will see you when we return in 2020! Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! 12/2/19 - 12/6/19The count down is on! We are winding down the Fall Semester & heading into our holiday break.
Word of the Day - brilliant 1st & 2nd Grade - We are still in Costa Rica learning all about the animals, the nature and, this week, the industry. Are you aware that every baseball used by Major League Baseball is manufactured by Rawlings in Costa Rica? 3rd Grade - We finished our partner Periodic Table webquest and explored the ins and outs of chemistry on the Adventures in Chemistry website. This webpage allows students to watch videos of experiments, play games based on the properties of the elements and build/create virtual molecules. 4th Grade - We did not meet this week due to conflict with Kinder COGAT testing. We will meet again the week of 12/9. 5th Grade - We discussed the Depth and Complexity Icons introduced by Sandra Kaplan and created a "D&C Frame" to complete as we watched the movie, "Big Hero 6". We looked at issues such as the introduction of technology like robots into traditional service industries like nursing. These kiddos always impress me with their insightful commentary and perspectives. 11/25/19 - 11/29/19 Thanksgiving break11/18/19 - 11/22/19Yep! Another great week in GT!
Word of the Day - acquaint 1st & 2nd Grade - We continued our exploration by studying the formation of volcanoes and the characteristics of the sloth, both native to Costa Rica! 3rd Grade - We worked in teams to go on a webquest to solve the riddles associated with the periodic table of elements. 4th Grade - We learned about impression evidence and created our own set of dental impressions. We worked with a partner to examine other teams dental impressions & evaluated the impressions made in various types of candy. 5th Grade - We continued on with our robotics challenges. Teams worked at their own pace to complete their build & program their units. As they programmed, they were faced with challenges to solve & overcome. 11/11/19 - 11/15/19Another fantastic week is in the books!
Word of the Day - lonesome 1st & 2nd grade - We continued our adventures in Costa Rica learning all about the Hummingbird then using our creative minds to create a multi-media picture of our vision of a hummingbird. The results were spectacular. We also starting learning about the multiple active volcanoes in Costa Rica. 3rd grade - We picked an element from the periodic table and researched it online using www.safesearchkids.com, to create an advertisement for the element. 4th grade - We learned more about the science of fingerprinting and took our own finger prints and used magnifying glasses to examine our prints and classified the patterns we observed. 5th grade - We started our first major robot programming challenge. We received our new robot build instructions, built our new robots and began our programming. Each week the new challenge will build on the previous week. 11/04/19 - 11/08/19What a great week we have had!
Word of the Day - average 1st & 2nd Grade - We left France and took off on a new adventure! Our travels have now landed us in the tropical land of Costa Rica! We learned all about the 7 provinces of the country, a few words in the native language of Spanish, and learned all about the hummingbird (CR is the hummingbird capital of the world)! 3rd Grade - We learned about the porous nature of the skin and why mineral oil (like baby oil) is not a good skin moisturizer. We conducted an experiment using saltine crackers, water and mineral oil to test our theory. We ended the class with a Periodic Table battle ship (always a good time). 4th Grade - We finished up our study of physical evidence and moved into the intriguing area of dactylography (fingerprinting). We learned about the most common patterns and how they are identified. 5th Grade - We had our last day of free exploration of the Mindstorms programming software. Students had fun building on to their robots and trying out the various sensors. Next week we will move on to more specific challenges where students will problem solve to program their robots to complete a specified task. 10/28/19 - 11/01/19Last week was crazy and fun all wrapped up into one eventful week!
Word of the Day - Echo 1st Grade - We discussed fiction vs. nonfiction and learned the Greek myth of Echo and Narcissus, then compared that to the scientific explanation for an echo. We finalized our travels in France by learning about the origins of the "French" croissant, how they are made, used our 5 senses to evaluate a croissant and took one home as a treat. Then we learned about the famous French artist Claude Monet and recreated our own version of one of his famous paintings. 2nd Grade - We did not meet this week due to COGAT testing and early release days. 3rd Grade - We continued learning about the elements of the Periodic Table and played Periodic Table Battleship to further our knowledge. 4th Grade - We learned about various forms of physical evidence and how each is used by investigators to determine how a crime was committed and by whom. 5th Grade - We worked with our partners to explore the Lego NXT Mindstorm software and its capabilities. We practiced creating programs for our robots to complete various tasks. This exploration is the foundation for our future programming challenges. 10/14/19 - 10/18/19 & 10/25/19 - 10/25/19The last 2 weeks have been a whirlwind!
Words of the Day - illustrate & sullen 1st & 2nd Grade - We have been having a wonderful time on our trip to France. We have learned about some of the famous cuisine of the area, examined the creations of Gustave Eiffel, practiced our use of some common French phrases, and much, much more! 3rd Grade - We examined the smallest particle in the universe, the atom. We learned about what an atom is made of and how it relates to the world as a whole. We studied a wonderful Russian scientist, Dmitri Mendeleev and his famous Periodic Table of Elements. 4th Grade - We spent some time working with the online sketch artist software to compose sketches of people we are familiar with. We played some observation and memory builder games and began learning about physical evidence. 5th Grade - We completed building our robots and explored the capabilities of our programming software. The kids were then given the freedom to explore and create programs to become more familiar with the programming process. 10/7/19 - 10/11/19
9/30/19 - 10/4/19It was another busy week in GT!
This week... Word of the Day - monotonous 1st & 2nd Grade - We continued to prepare for our travels by learning about cardinal directions and the compass rose. We practiced using our directions to navigate our way around a map, and guided each other through a maze using just our cardinal directions. 3rd Grade - We learned about chemical reactions and what causes them. We used the scientific method to create chemical reactions when we constructed our own lava lamps using water, vegetable oil, food coloring and Alka-Seltzer tablets. 4th Grade - We studied Eye Witness basics this week learning how eyewitnesses, although frequently used in crime scene investigations and prosecutions, are not always very reliable. We discussed some of the reasons for their unreliability and the pros and cons of using them in an investigation. 5th Grade - We finished our robotics kit inventory and began constructing our first robot. We wrapped up with a video that took us through the timeline of Lego Robotics and then discussed the ethical implication of our reliance on robotics and technology in our everyday lives. 9/23/19 - 9/26/19Happy "Fake Friday"! This is a short week due to Fort Bend County Fair day and I want wish all of our LCISD exhibitors good luck!
This week... All grade levels began the Word of the Day activity. Each time we meet, there will be a new WOD displayed on the Promethean. Students will come in, set up their journal WOD page that includes the new word, a definition in their own words, an antonym, and a sketch of what the word "looks like". We then discuss the word as a group, its meaning, part of speech and origin. The goal is for student to use the word in their everyday conversations and in their writing at school. This week the word of the day is "FRAGILE". 1st & 2nd Grade - We set up our "passports" and prepared our maps for our travel adventures. We reviewed 50 interesting fact about our own country and got our groove on the the 50 states & capitols rap. Next week we are off on our first adventure out of the country. 3rd Grade - We set up our journals and continued our discussion of the Scientific Method. We watched a couple of video clips of the Scientific Method in progress and how it can be used in our studies. We learned an acronym to help us remember the steps "ASITCIS". 4th Grade - We set up our journals and dove right into our Crime Scene Basics. We discussed lots of new vocabulary to build upon our schema so that we are better equipped to solve our upcoming cases. 5th Grade - We set up our journals and worked with a partner to complete a webquest about technology and robotics being used in the real world. Afterward, each team was issued their robotics kit and we began to take inventory of it's contents. Next week we will complete the inventory and begin our first robotics challenge. 9/16/19 - 9/20/19Finally! GT Pullout has begun! I'm so excited to get this year rolling; we have some really cool units we will be exploring!
This week... 1st & 2nd Grade - We started our Countries & Cultures unit by creating a passport for our travels. We learned that a passport is a legal document that allows us to travel to different countries around the world. We ended our time together listening to the 50 States & Capitols rap. 3rd Grade - We began our BioChemistry unit by learning what exactly a scientist is and what they do. We started talking about the Scientific Method and how scientist use it as a road map for their research. We also had an opportunity to watch some cool experiments that demonstrated how much energy is stored in sugar. 4th Grade - We began our Forensic Science unit by examining what forensics is and how it is used. We learned about early forensic science and Archimedes' Principle. We learned that Sherlock Holmes, a character created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, is actually based on a real person, Joseph Bell. 5th Grade - We began our study of Robotics. We discussed technology and the advancement of robotics in today's society. We discussed the ethical implications of technology advancement and the trends and changes over time. We ended our day by beginning a Robotics Webquest. You should have received from your student this week: - GT Events Flyer: this lists all of our district parent meetings for the year - About GT Flyer: this explains our identification process & some characteristics of GT identified students **Please note** All students will need a composition notebook for GT class. Please no spirals. |