Jun Hyeok: Volume 36: May 18, 2015

The weather has been perfect and so has our learning environment! With two new units started, we are having a blast. How Do We Organize Ourselves? is the theme for our new inquiry unit. The aspect of our society that we've chosen to focus on is Money and how in its different forms allows economies to function (our new central idea). We've had rich discussions based on the simple question: What is money? and our introductory activity trading/bartering for "Hobnail Cookie" ingredients. Ask your child about bartering and trading and how it sometimes doesn't work - a problem with an idea called the "coincidence of wants".

Jun Hyeok and Hassaan looking at landscapes to find multiple silhouettes from one point of view.

In our new math unit, students are exploring visual space, 2D and 3D, using wooden Geometric Blocks. We've been identifying these blocks (shapes) through the silhouettes they create. Did you know some shapes, like a cone have more than one silhouette? A circle and a triangle; it's all about perspective. Way cool! Next week, we will dive deeper into silhouettes and create a city of our own using cubes. I look forward to some creative city silhouettes!

In reading and writing, students have been working for a week on an original piece of their own. Some are independent pieces, while others are working with partners. Also, we have a book club with a fantastic mystery called The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin. I strongly encourage you to check it out at home - order it on a Kindle or Nook. It is a great read at home.

Elementary camp out is Friday. I will be there with hands covered in soot from the fire, sticky fingers from the s'mores, and a huge smile because of all the fun and running around outside. Be there! As always, enjoy your week!

Owler: Jun Hyeok

Homework:
Monday: Parts of the Whole activity
Tuesday: Decimals to Fractions activity
Wednesday: Typing Ace
Thursday: Decimal Place Value activity
Friday: Have fun and dance, while reading a book.

 Decimals rock my tenths and hundredths! How about you?

 Would you barter (trade) sugar for flour if both people needed to? (Coincidence of wants in action)

 It's all about perspective with silhouettes. We play and learning.

Mr. Mike, why are we still working with fractions, decimals, and percents? I thought we finished that unit?
They never go away, do they?

Discussing landscapes and silhouettes from different points of view.