Friday, 8/23/13

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
Math I	X	X	Introduction to Math	Prime Time 1.1: Playing the Factor Game	Prime Time 1.2: Winning the Factor Game
Math II	X	X	Same as Math I	Same as Math I	Same as Math I...but didn't complete.  Will finish on Monday.
Science: Culp	X	X	Discussed making observations. Played observation game.	Took notes on Science Observations. Played more Observation Game.	Fed Ex Day Overview.  Sample Fed Ex Day presentation.
Science:Morgan	X	X	Same as Science: Culp	Same as Science: Culp	Same as Science: Culp
Writing	X	X	Quick Write: Tell me a funny story.	Finish Quick Write	None

Items typed in red denote that there is an assignment due the following day.


Fed Ex Day....
Every Friday is Fed Ex Day in Science.  Fed Ex Day has 6 parts. It starts with a brainstorming day followed by four phases of development and culminating in a presentation delivered in front of the class. The goal of Fed Ex Day is for students to collaborate, come up with, and carry out a science experiment of their choosing.  Below is an overview I went over with them today.

 

Fed Ex Day Sample Presentation....
I modeled a Fed Ex Day presentation for the kids.  We took yeast (an organism) activated it in warm water put it in a bottle,  fed it sugar, and then put a balloon over top the bottle opening.  The feeding frenzy led to the expulsion of CO2 which blew up the ballon.

Factor Rainbow.....
Math II seemed to struggle a tad with finding factors.  So, I scrapped the lesson and we went to the whiteboards.

Students, here is a link to an online version of the Factor Game we were playing.  Anyone who completes at least 3 games with a friend or family member will get 200-points for their team.  All you have to do is bring in a note from an adult that says you completed 3 games.


http://connectedmath.msu.edu/CD/Grade6/FactorGame/


Crossword Puzzles Completed.....
These students completed and turned in their crossword puzzles.  You will recieve 100 points for your team starting on Monday.

Michael, Julia, Jason, Molly, Sydney, Devon, Camryn, Adeline, Maddi, Alana, Lizzy, Hannah, Neveah, and Abby.

Way to go!!



Ken Robinson TED talk...
I put this up for any parents or teachers out there checking the blog.  It's a really great take on education by Sir Ken Robinson.

Mrs. Brace Pranked.....
I just gotta share this.  

This morning I was eating my cereal and drinking my coffee when a thought crossed my mind.

I need to get my prank magnet and take it to school. 

What is a prank magnet? A prank magnet is a magnet that you put on someone's car that says something embarassing. The idea is that the victim of the prank will drive around not noticing the embarassing-but removable- bumper sticker and will be in a state of shock once they find it.

Not sure why it crossed my mind.  It just did. So I randomly grabbed my prank magnet, stuffed it in my pocket, kissed my kids goodbye and headed to school.

I arrive at school, get out my car and notice a mini-van idling behind me.  I notice the driver of the van is Mrs. Brace.

Mrs. Brace is an old friend of mine who has been known to cause me a lot of problems.  You see, Mrs. Brace loves to prank Mr. Morgan, and has done so MANY times.  Just seeing her made my heart jump a little, as I immediately started wondering if she'd just gotten back from doing something sinister to my classroom.

I approached the van and engage Mrs. Brace.  As expected, Mrs. Brace dived in to a rant about how I need to 'watch out' for her, and how I need to get to school earlier as CLEARLY she can access my room before I can.  So, I partake in her mocking by smiling and nodding, all the while trying to wriggle the prank magnet from my pocket. I'm carrying science supplies in my arms, maintaining eye-contact with Mrs. Brace and trying to get this giant magnet bumper sticker out my pants. It was extremely frustrating.  Fortunately, karma was on my side. Our conversation ends, the magnet pops out, I slap it on her car and watch as Mrs. Brace drives off...smiling... pleased as punch.

What was on the magnet?  This--

Best. Friday. Morning. Ever.



Friday Geocache Challenge:
The Friday Geocache Challenge is something I have done every Friday for the past two years.

It is a great way to hone your Google Maps skills, and a fun, adventurous way to earn team points.  I am hiding a small canister filled a log sheet somewhere in Grove City.  The location is on the map below inside the red circle. You'll need to learn how to navigate google maps to find its location. Once found, ask your parents if they can go with you and search for it. 

Here's what the geocache looks like...

 

Here is where its located....