Exploring BIG Numbers

Students are pictured using 10,000s charts in order to practice working with large numbers. 

BIG NUMBERS

Our first math unit tackles BIG NUMBERS. Kids are challenged to understand place value and be able to explain the patterns that exist when moving to the left and right in a number. Today we worked on reading big numbers and learning how the value of a digit can change depending on where it stands in the number. Using the kids as numbers helps them see how their values can change depending on their order in the number. 

Energizers!

Let's face it, the school day is a long day and kids get tired of sitting around. In an effort to help kids have chances to move around, I use "Energizers." Some energizers are designed to calm kids when they are a little squirrelly. Others aim to wake them up when they seem a little low energy. No matter the purpose, kids love them. They take just a few minutes to accomplish and I find the rewards are well worth the time spent.

The pictures below show students taking a break from a reading lesson. They were tasked with acting out some phrases, such as "run as if a bear was chasing you" and "swim like you are in a pool full of jello."

Float Your Boat

Last Friday, our class completed a teamwork challenge called "Float Your Boat." The goal of the activity was to work together effectively with a team to build a boat that floats from the materials provided. The materials were: 4 sheets of tin foil, 4 straws, 4 tongue depressors, 2 paper clips, 1 balloon, and 2 disco lengths of masking tape.

This project is designed to help students define the word success. In the end, the definition students came up with was a great one. SUCCESS MEANS ACHIEVING YOUR GOALS. Many students had previously thought success had much more to do with winning. It was cool for the kids to realize that no one team was any more successful than another if each one accomplished the goal.

See our SUCCESS:

 

 

 

 

Welcome Class of 2024!

Transportation Matters to Fifth Graders

Our fifth graders are part of a pilot program to learn about Geography in a real-world context. Students will take a field trip to the International Marine Terminal in Portland to learn how goods make their way around the world. This trip will help students see how living in a port city impacts how we live, work, and play. Check out some recent press coverage to learn more about the program:

Channel 6 Piece

Portland Press Herald Piece

Experimenting with Air Resistance

Check out these fun slow motion videos of the kids experimenting with air resistance. They were challenged with designing something that would slow down one of the binder clips.


Victor and Henry

Jack

Elvis

Emma

Anna