ALERT students at Conder worked hard on math puzzles, algebraic equations, and shape venn diagrams. After successfully solving an "expert" level problem a few weeks ago, 5th grade stalled out on one that was a level below that this week. We are going back to the strategy drawing board so we can identify patterns and strategies to help us solve all types of problems. I introduced them to Pablo Picasso and Cubism art, which became popular right around the same time as the new styles of architecture we learned about. They had a few minutes to create a cubism face sketch, which turned out very creatively. At the end of the day we introduced area and volume using a Minecraft assignment, they had to analyze 3D shapes, mostly rectangular prisms, but they also had to figure out the volume of a pool full of water. Some of them counted blocks and used the forumlas for area and volume, others went in and cleared the water from the pool and refilled it with blocks.
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ALERT students at Conder spent a lot of time working on strategies to solve a variety of math problems/puzzles. Even though all of our puzzles were based in addition and subtraction, several students were able to verbalize that even though the operations were simple there was a lot of thinking that had to go on because of the structure of the assignment. Often times adults (parents/teachers) think that making things "harder" or giving students topics from higher grade levels is the only way to challenge kids. Sometimes the best way to challenge them is to create a "depth" of thinking that involves some skill they already know. We also spent a good deal of time working on our architecture sketches. Art and drawing are sometimes under appreciated skills in terms of school and mathematics. However, students who can visualize a 3D shape well enough to create a good drawing are going to be able to use that visualization when they have to analyze the shape for faces, edges, and vertices later in geometry. Students also learned about Frank Lloyd Wright and some of his famous works. They were really impressed with Falling Water, since there is literally a stream/waterfall running under the house. |
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May 2022
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