The Rookery

The 4/5 classess have begun our regular math routine. We spend 15 minutes in foundation math, reviewing and learning the basic skills necessary to solve problems in math. The rest of our time, about 55 minutes, is spent in exploration math. In our first exploration math unit, we are studying geometry. We have mixed the students into three groups that have kids from each class, and those groups will do three, three-day rotations among the three teachers. Gabe is teaching about polygons, Michelle is teaching angles through an online LOGO programming activity, and I am teaching a variety of geometry vocabulary (congruent, similar, symmetry, reflection, rotation, translation, and tessellation). My rotation includes a math art project in which students create a shape that tessellates and then cover a paper with their shape. Here are some photos of my first group working on their tessellation art. CTO

Writing Circles

We have done one cycle of writing circles, and so far they are a big hit. Today, I modeled what a writing circle share looks like, and then students shared their writing on their group's first topic. Groups chose their second topic and were off on their second piece.

The time spent writing on each topic is intentionally short. One of the goals of writing circles is to build writing fluency. Students are asked to write on a variety of topics–some they love, and some they are ambivalent about or don't care too much about. This will help them to develop flexibility, to get started on a new topic, to practice sharing their writing, and to get an increasing number of words and sentences on paper. After several rounds, we'll shift into publishing circles, and students will have a bank of drafts to choose from when deciding what to take to publication for a wider audience.

Please ask your child about his/her experience in writing circles so far.  CTO

postcript from Michelle:  We've now done three cycles of writing circles and I'm thrilled with the risks students are taking in their writing.  Many are trying out topics they never thought they'd write about — others are writing in genres they've never tried before.  Many kids have shared they are surprised by what they've been able to write.  I especially love the topics the kids have chosen.  The current round of topics are:  bacon, monsters, fast food, and Mall of America (somehow tied to "curses"…it's complicated). MMM