Learning To Go Mr. Avery's Class on the Web 

What an amazing presentation was given by animal rehabilitator Jim Parks, who brought us his Wingmasters program this week. Students were highly engaged while learning more about adaptations that help local birds of prey survive. Using live specimens, Jim focused his interactive experience on nocturnal owls, as well as our school mascot: the peregrine falcon! Thanks to our PTO for helping to sponsor this informative and exciting event.

 

 

 

Following up in the classroom, we conducted a scientific investigation to test the effect of oil on feathers as one adaptation necessary for bird survival in rain or water, and made implications for the effect of oil on fur and hair.

This week, we will continue to explore adaptations by learning about the design of another nocturnal animal: bats. We will learn about bat anatomy and behavior, comparing it to what we know about birds. Students will then choose a nocturnal animal of their own to research and create a poster about, with a focus on adaptations. More about bats at National Geographic’s kids’ site, which is a great place to explore animals in general: http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/content/kids/en_US/animals/vampire-bat/

This week also marks the end of Trimester 1! Students will be taking end-of-term assessments in writing, reading, math, science, and social studies. To tell if papers sent home are assessments, look for a number score (e.g. 8/10) or a proficiency score (e.g. 3-Proficient) on the top.

In writing work, we will be finishing main events based on our common experience of the Harvest Hoedown in the gym. We will also write descriptive pieces all about the jack o’ lanterns we made during Fall Festival. Students will then take the district writing assessment, a personal narrative assignment where they show what they’ve learned with entertaining beginnings, main events, and description.

In math, we are beginning a very important unit. Chapter 4 focuses on bar models and using them to solve number problems and work algebraically. This way of doing math is extremely useful, and will benefit students greatly in the future when they apply it to multiplication, division,  fractions, measurement, and more!  As an example, consider the picture below as a way to model this problem: Jim is planning Thanksgiving dinner for 21 people. 15 people will be having turkey, and the rest are vegetarians. How many people will Jim plan a vegetarian meal for?

For students, setting this problem up can be tricky. We’ve learned to use parts and total boxes to model algebraic thinking: bar models are an even more explicit way to show our thinking about problems, one that helps us make sense of the numbers involved. Notice how the bars are drawn to scale in comparison to each other. This skill really requires students to understand the relative size of the numbers involved. As such, it is a smart but hard skill to master, especially with two- and three-digit numbers.

To learn more about bar models from our publisher: http://www.hmhco.com/~/media/sites/home/education/global/pdf/white-papers/mathematics/elementary/math-in-focus/mif_model_drawing_lr.pdf

And remember, you can access the student ebook to learn exactly how math is being taught and to try examples yourself or with your child at home. Just go to http://www-k6.thinkcentral.com/ePC/logout.do , select the relevant info from the dropdown menus, and enter your child’s username and password (which you can get from PowerSchool Parent Portal). Then in the “My Library” section, select the G2 Student Edition, Volume A, and use the “contents” button on the left to link to Chapter 4.

          

Also in the Library section, you’ll be able to access videos that explain the how and why of bar modeling.

 

You’re invited! Our class will be performing songs and poems with a Winter Theme in the cafeteria on Friday, December 19, at 9:30 (snow date: Monday, December 22, 9:30). We will remain in the space after, for photo opps and congratulations. <”) Please come: family and friends welcome! This is our Winter Celebration, and takes the place of a class party. Per district recommendations, please do not send in food or drink to share, though you are of course welcome to send in something special, nut free, for your child to enjoy at snack time.

Next week our blog will be taking a break for Thanksgiving. I hope you and your family have much to be thankful for this year, and I wish you the happiest of holidays!