Homework
4th Grade Math: Tangram puzzles. Solve the Tangram shapes puzzles and create your own. Link to Tangram pieces if needed.
5th Grade Math: packet
Wordly Wise: Finish lesson 10.
Reminder: Math Night is this Wednesday from 6:00-7:30pm.
Biography Project: The biography Home Project planner was due today.
Below is a list of project ideas inked to internet sources of examples for students to get ideas:
Biography Scrapbook
Biography Bottle Dolls
Accordion Timeline
Interview Movie
Today in Strawberry: The students are developing their thesis idea for their biographical essay. We are calling the "thesis" the main ideas they want to tell about their person. The goal is to include something that they have learned about the person's personality or experience that is part of why or how they found success. An example we discussed was about George Washington Carver who is famous for his scientific inventions as well as his generosity of spirit and action. The students have developed a thesis idea of their own, are supporting it with 4 or more pieces of evidence, and are beginning to write a paragraph about their thesis. Some students have discovered that they need more evidence, and are looking for more information before writing.
A note about our writing process for this project: Now that the students know their person, and have most of their research done, we are working from the main idea backwards. This means we are leaving the introductory and concluding paragraphs for the last stage of the writing process. At each stage of the process, after gathering evidence for the particular body paragraph we are working on, the students will write a rough draft of that particular part.
SAGE (Students Advocacy for Global Education): This afternoon we had a visit from two students from Acalanes High School who are members of SAGE (a student "club" at their school). One of them also happens to be Jeff's niece. They were on campus today to present to the Middle School as a possible service project to support for the TBS Walkathon. For Strawberry it was a chance to hear and see first hand how students can be involved in hands-on service, fundraising and community education. Hopefully it will inspire our class as we delve further into our service activities this Spring.
