Jefferson 3/7-3/8 Highlights

Ms. Semrad's class is wrapping up our Ramp Race unit. After constructing their ramps, recording time and distance, then calculating speed, they moved on to presentations. Most groups chose to create an iMovie trailer about their ramp design and the project. These students did an amazing job of collaborating and innovating while developing their math skills in the area of Numbers and Operations in Base Ten.

On Thursday I worked with a few groups during math workshop on using their knowledge of whole number long division (4th Grade Standard) to introduce dividing with decimals. We practiced strategies for when there is a decimal in the dividend, the divisor, or both. Students were a bit anxious when they heard "decimal division" but realized quickly that they had the skills already to complete these tasks. We'll continue practicing to work towards mastery.

Thanks Ms. Semrad for the pictures! I wish I could be in 3 schools at once to see everything going on, I hate missing any of the incredible work students are doing!

Kayla, Andrew, Jeremy, and Levi worked on both their fictional writing pieces as well as their 20% Projects. Yesterday Kayla and Jeremy realized that they had received limited responses to their Google survey requesting healthy recipes from select teachers and students for their cookbook. We decided to send their Google Form to all Jefferson teachers and they received many more recipes today! They were excited to read through those and start adding them to the cookbook, which they are creating on Google Slides.

Andrew decided that in addition to his research, timeline, and predictions about future sports equipment he would make a goalie diagram to label equipment for those not familiar with hockey.

Seeing this collaboration today was incredible. When we started planning 20% Projects Shaylin decided to design a Dog Rescue facility. Jace planned to rethink what we know as Veteran's Centers to create a holistic model that would offer visitors medical and mental health support, lodging and food if needed, a sense of community and recreation. As the two listened to each other's plans they quickly realized that they could combine their projects to create a facility where animals in need were cared for by veterans and the veterans had a furry companion. Today they started merging their blueprint designs. They got down to the logistics, creating separate walkways so that animals would not be near kitchens or food areas. I love hearing these two throw ideas off one another, modify their thinking, and work to create the best facility they can. Very impressive.

Theatre set designs are really coming along for these designers. Next week we should be ready to start assembling and creating displays that share how students arrived at their set decisions. They will be articulating the textual evidence that led to their creative decisions.

Thanks for reading! It was a great productive week here at Jefferson. I was bummed to miss out meeting with my 4th Grade Reading group this afternoon.

I attended the 4th of 5 annual PAGE (Partners for the Advancement of Gifted Education) meetings. We had a great discussion and were brainstorming new events for next year. In the past we've held events such as the Trivia Night, Game Night, College Panel, guest speakers, Parent-Parent forums, Comedy Sportz improv, Urban Ecology visits, and many more. My breakout group discussed a UWM Planetarium visit. We also began thinking about how we can engage in the Veteran's History Project through the Library of Congress. Students would have the opportunity to interview a Veteran, create an essay, presentation, video, podcast, or other product of their choosing, and submit to the Library of Congress to be stored and accessed by all. We discussed having their products displayed at the War Memorial in Milwaukee. We have a new member to PAGE, Scott, who is a member of the Navy and is very enthusiastic about developing this event. Nothing is set in stone but I am really excited about the prospect of these events coming to fruition.

Parents and Teachers...If you have ideas for events let me know! These events are typically offered to the identified GCT/Enrichment students from the member districts of PAGE at no cost to families. We have a budget and a group of educators and parents ready and willing to bring opportunities for our students to life. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Had to share this Video-Reading aloud isn't just for kids :)

Here is my favorite capture at our house this week of Aubrey (3rd Grade) reading to Leo (1 yr). His foot is just fine, but glad she's looking' out :)

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/693f34_1cf0119f07ab48ae8dda595c2f376f7d/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

Have a great weekend, enjoy the heat wave! ;)