High Ability Update

Knowing we had less time together this week (Monday off) & so much to catch up on, we took turns sharing about winter break, ourselves, and our plans. As we shared, we focused on past, present, and future.

Looking at shapes that were grouped together based on their attributes, students were tasked with labeling the groups. For example, a group of triangles that didn't have right angles and a group of triangles that did have right angles. Students also had to draw additional shapes that would fit in each group. We also touched on why a square is a rectangle and a rectangle is not a square.

It was great to be back at school together! The students were eager to catch up with one another. While focusing on past, present, and future, we took turns sharing things about ourselves. After that, we moved on to growing sentences with adjectives and adverbs. We also touched on introductory clauses. I look forward to revisiting these topics. I apologize for not getting a pic of this group. They come to HA right after lunch, and it takes us a couple minutes to get focused. Once we start our lessons, I have a hard time remembering to pause for pictures. I'll keep trying:)

We began our time together by reviewing relational thinking for subtraction that would otherwise require borrowing. We also worked on multiplication. At this age, it isn't uncommon for students to have facts memorized that they don't actually understand. Understanding the basics of multiplication provides them with a solid foundation to build upon. We have begun to fill in a 12 by 12 multiplication chart. The students are loving learning the reason behind the facts. We are drawing pictures, using repeated addition, observing patterns, and learning some tricks. Again, I didn't get a pic of second grade. I apologize. We get moving on our content, and I have a hard time pausing for pics. I'll try harder:)

After a quick visit, the students took turns sharing their pictures based on the modern legend of Edmund Fitzgerald. While discussing the similarities and differences between legend and myth, the students updated their folklore posters. Differentiating between myth and legend can be tricky. The most notable difference is legends are grounded in reality and myths explain the unexplained. We only met once this week, but we certainly packed a lot into our little time together.

We warmed our brains up with some Sudoku. If the students complete the puzzle at home, they may bring it back in for 5 stickers (not homework). I explained integers to the students and showed them how positive and negative numbers are arranged on a number line. The students each drew their own number lines. Students caught on quickly and were able to compare integers as being greater than, equal, and less than.

After a quick conversation to catch up with one another, we were back to our biography activity. Before break, HA attendance varied a little by class, so students are at different points in the process. The students were shown an outline of what needs to be done thus far and were given independent work time. I did provide the students with some pocket folders to store their notes and such. If they'd like to bring in their own folder, they are welcome to.

This week, our primary focus was showing our work in algebra. It is important the students understand the value in showing their work. Being algebra is new to the students, showing their work looks much different than anything they have ever done before. There are two different approaches/styles to showing work in algebra. I have shown the students both ways. For every equation they solved this week, students showed their work in both ways. Example below.

Email: kapeterson@duneland.k12.in.us
Location: Jackson Elementary School, North 400 East, Valparaiso, IN, USA
Phone: 219-983-3680