Final Phase of "X"

"Don't listen to your parents"! These have been the words spoken often to your third grade PA student in my classroom this first quarter. That is, "Don't listen to your parents when it comes to them trying to help you in completing any algebra homework from my class". This "Hands-On Equation" system using blue and white pawns, ("x" and "*") and red and green face-value cubes, (positive and negative numbers) is a way to introduce the algebra concept to students. It often happens that if they are having homework problems, and a parent or an older sibling steps in to help, it only confuses the child more. Students are doing very well, and we should be wrapping up our unit at Thanksgiving Break.

Insects Living and Working Together

Second Grade PA students are researching the social interaction of certain insects. Using Bloom's Taxonomy, which is a cognitive taxonomy developed in the 1950's by a committee of educators and scholars headed by Benjamin Bloom. Students think creatively, analyzing, synthesizing, applying, and evaluating information (higher-order thinking skills) needed to achieve success. As the students complete their research, taking notes, they will in the end create a story based on their insects social behavior, as well as, produce a brochure explaining their findings. Students will be working on this project in the classroom up until Thanksgiving Break. Be sure to discuss this project with your child and see which insect they have chosen to complete their research on.

Fifth Grade Economists

Fifth Grade PA students have been learning about the economy and have begun playing a short (week long) version of a Stock Market Game. They have also begun playing a Stock Market Game sponsored in part with the Chicago Tribune that will last through December. By giving students an understanding of the stock market, we are preparing them to deal knowledgeably with an area of our society that has a vast effect on their lives. whether or not they choose in later life to trade stocks on an individual basis, they will at least have the knowledge that will enable them to understand this aspect of the economy and how their personal economic pictures are affected by the larger economic landscape.

Fourth Grade Geo-Wizards

Fourth Grade PA students have been working in cooperative groups with polydron pieces. These pieces help students to create two-, and three-dimensional geometry shapes so that students can describe, model, draw, and classify shapes; investigate and predict results of combining, subdividing, and changing shapes; develop spatial sense; relate geometric ideas to number and measurement ideas and recognize and appreciate geometry in their world.

Third Grade Mathematicians

Third Grade PA students are having fun and learning some valuable lessons in solving pre-algebra equations.
Thursdays lesson will have the students solving this equation:
2X + * + 3 = 2* = 15

Students use a hands-on approach, using blue/white pawns and red/green value cubes to assist in solving the equations.

Second Grade Goes Buggy!!

Second grade PA students have been learning about Entomology, the study of insects.
Some of the Essential Questions that we are answering are:
What is an Entomologist?
Why do we need Entomologists?
Are insects valuable to our world?
How does the scientific classification of living things apply to science?
How do the life cycles of insects differ?
We are currently looking into the different classification of insects. Students are learning that insects can be distinguished by certain characteristics, habitats, food supplies, methods of camouflage, and defense mechanisms.

OPEN HOUSE OCTOBER 14th 6:30-8:00pm

Parents,

Stop in and say hello!