The N.E.D Show!

We had a great presentation today by the N.E.D show. 

1. Never Give Up

2. Encourage others

3. Do Your Best

What a great and inspirational message! Check out some pictures from the presentation.

Hands on Science

The kids were really excited about our visit from the University of Windsor  “let’s talk science “ volunteers. It’s part of an out reach program to bring curriculum specific science to elementary schools. The students learned all about forces, simple machines and how simple machines help reduce effort when doing work. The pictures below shows them building their own playground. Each play structure is an example of a simple machine.

Part 2 & 3

Yesterday we started a 3 part math lesson with the introduction of a word problem. Today I looked over their work and chose 2 or 3 examples that highlight key features of the curriculum expectations we are trying to learn. We also make sure to include 1 or 2 examples of misconceptions  or misunderstandings that lead to incorrect responses. Below there is a short video highlighting a misconception and then a picture of the success chart we created together from the student responses.  Now, when working independently to create a graph they will have a success chart  to help guide them if they require the support.  The idea is that the chart will eventually fall away as they consolidate their understanding of the mathematical information or processes.

Success Criteria and 3-part math

We are on a journey to change the way we integrate our teaching of math concepts. It’s important that students are exposed to a variety of specific strategies to help them gain a deeper understanding of  mathematical process and thinking. In the pictures below you will see a blank page that is titled Success Criteria. Success Criteria are steps or procedures for Solving a particular type of math problem. The picture below that is of two of the students working on a problem related to graphing information. This is the start of the process for this math unit and we are trying to get an idea of where their strengths and needs lie. Why is the Success Criteria chart blank? That is where the open-ended math problem the students are working on comes in. From the work they actually produce I will pick several examples of answers that address what good graphing strategies look like and also perhaps pick out 1 or 2 samples of misconceptions that several groups may be making. We take these samples and the kids will discuss how they solved the problem, at this point I highlight key features from their work that will be included in the success criteria chart. I know that's a lot of information but just think about how important that is. The students themselves with my guidance pick out the important features right from their work that need to be included every time they graph  information. They also get to see what misconceptions they shared with other students and how to correct those misconceptions. NEXT TIME: I will have a short video of some of the students actually presenting their work and the class discussions from where we will now fill out our success chart.

Measuring Length in Centimetres

I hope everyone had a restful and joyous Christmas Holiday. I am putting up a short video to start our new math unit this week. Please watch it with your child and have them practice measuring things around the house.

Measuring Length in Centimetres

I hope everyone had a restful and joyous Christmas Holiday. I am putting up a short video to start our new math unit this week. Please watch it with your child and have them practice measuring things around the house.