Volume 10: October 19, 2015

We learn best from each other. Xeoden leading a discussion on what a prime and composite number is!

Hello, all! A fun week with some very cool conversations going on. We officially have launched our new Unit of Inquiry (UOI) called All Systems Go! A study into how parts work together so a system can function. We have chosen to focus one very important system, our body! As such, our central idea for this unit is "Our bodies consist of systems that work together for us to remain healthy." We began our study by asking what is a system? How do parts work together to help it function? What would happen if a part was "missing" or "taken away"? Would the system still function correctly? We used a bicycle to model a system and brainstormed other systems, like schools, trees, airports, cars, and others and identified the parts that help the system function.

Systems, like a tree all around us. Thanks, Ludwik for sharing!

Each day, or week, we will dive into a new system of the body. Our first system that we are studying in-depth is the system that keeps us together - can you guess what it is? The SKELETAL SYSTEM! We taped our thumb to our palm and made clay models of bodies with and without bones (we used toothpicks).

In other news, Xeoden did a terrific job leading a community discussion on what a prime and composite number. This discussion spawned into students making connections between many math concepts such as multiples, arrays, factors, factor pairs, repeated addition, skip counting, commutative property of addition and multiplication, fact families, and more. Wow!

Xeoden's work on "Ways to Represent 36"

Our book clubs have been conversations of consensus building turned into creating essential agreements about how to ensure everyone participates, is prepared and on-task, asking questions, and using I statements to encourage each other. The students have truly taken responsibility for their learning and the learning of others.

   Modeling how to be a book club leader is something Hurryat was born to do!

Over October break remember to relax, read, and enjoy your holiday. If you're October Book share is during the October break, no worries - you can present Monday, 19 Oct when we return. Enjoy your holiday and pictures of our learning from the week!

Homework (when we return from October break):
Monday: Math Activity p. 30
Tuesday: Math Activity p. 31
Wednesday: IXL
Thursday: Math Activity p. 59
Friday: Read, Relax, and enjoy the fall weather!

Si Yeon totally rocked her book share!

 Compost isn't as smelly as you think!

What can I say? This is Riccardo at his best:)