Irving 5/1

Today 3rd Grade math students chose how to best use their time in working on their Geometry Art PBL Unit. They could continue with research and notes, begin their biographical product (essay, poster, slideshow, video, etc), begin or continue their 1st sketch of their art piece, or if completed, get feedback from a peer.

We began our session talking about the value of feedback, drafting, and revising. To illustrate the importance of this cycle, we watched the video, "Austin's Butterfly". I love this video and think it illustrates perfectly how students can be such valuable resources to one another. It also how it is ok to work through multiple drafts and that this is how we get our best work. Check out the video we watched below!

After we watched the video, students moved onto the tasks they chose to complete today. Majerle and Grant continued research on Piet Mondrian, focusing on the biography sub-topics we brainstormed last week. Autumn plans to create a series of posters to develop an informative gallery walk about Victor Vasarely to share. Today she asked to print out the first couple of facts to take home so she can work on learning them in order to speak knowledgeably about her artist. Jason also continued research. He took notes and utilized a timeline about Victor Vasarely. Lilith decided to begin her first draft that will guide her canvas creation. Instead of sketching she opted to use keynote. She used a stencil on her screen at first then decided to use Keynote shapes to map out her piece.

https://vimeo.com/38247060

3rd Grade Reading Group discussed the events of Chapter 4 in the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. Konigsburg. In this Chapter we are introduced to the mystery of the story, the statue called Angel. The Met acquired the statue in an auction but there is speculation that it could have been created by Michelangelo. Claudia and Jamie make it their purpose to help solve the mystery.

During our session we watched a biographical video on Michelangelo. Students then conducted independent research and shared their findings with the group. Students were asked to answer the following questions using evidence from the text to support their thinking:

1. Describe the two occasions that Jamie forgot the "inconspicuous" rule. (We reviewed the meaning of inconspicuous that we discussed last week)

2. Explain why the statue of the angel drew such large crowds. Why did the museum suggest that the statue had been such a great bargain?

Lastly students were given this challenge: Pretend that you were allowed to spend three nights in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Look at a map and choose which part of the Museum you'd like to spend each night in. You may have to research the different sections of the museum for more information to make your choice. Explain the reasoning for making each choice. Students looked at maps of the Met to help and did some additional research as suggested.

Have a great rest of your week everyone!