#GRA14, Science Soil Inquiry, Math Tubs & GRIT!

 We have had a busy week!  The students have been busy learning all about the Power of Mindset.  We are learning that it takes a lot of work to learn new things and that sometimes when things get tough, it is actually a good thing!  It means we are learning.

We watched a short video clip about what it means to have GRIT.  Perseverance + Resilience = GRIT.  We came up with a fantastic anchor chart to remind us to never give up.  If we really want something we need to keep working at it.  We need to keep reaching for our dreams.  Very powerful!

Here is the video that we watched which explains all about GRIT.

We also watched a short video clip called "Austin's Butterfly".  The students really loved seeing how Austin was able to work at his learning task and improve his work so substantially by using specific feedback from his peers.  The students have been providing feedback to their classmates using 'Tickled Pink" and "Green for Growth" so they were really able to connect to this video.  Another important message in this video is that it is ok not to have a perfect finished product the first time around.  If we work at something and improve a little each time, that means we are learning!

Austin's Butterfly: Critique and Feedback

Today was the final day for our St. Cecilia, 'We Scare Hunger' campaign and it was a HUGE success! Thank you so much to everyone who participated.  The final count was over 3000 non-perishable food items that will be donated to the Barrhaven Food Bank.  Wow, wow!!!

This week's GRA was the story 'ish'.  The students really loved this story about creativity and had a great time creating their own 'ish' drawings.  They illustrated some things such as House'ish', Afternoon'ish', and really seemed to enjoy letting go and knowing that no matter what they created, it was art!  On Friday afternoon, we connected via Google Hangout with Mrs. Ciampa's Grade 3 class from Assumption School.  It was great getting to know her students and sharing our 'ish' connections and 'ish' drawings with each other!  We look forward to more Hangouts in the future:).

Our Science Inquiry is well underway.  We grouped our soil wonderings into three Big Ideas from the Grade 3 Curriculum.  Each of the students chose a Big Idea they were interested in to explore further.  Once they chose the inquiry of choice, they found a partner who was also interested in the same wonderings.  The students are using QR Codes, Library Books, Classroom Books and Chromebooks to research their questions and record their findings.

In Math, we have been working on math problems that include 2 digit by 2 digit addition and subtraction.  We are practicing getting our math thinking on paper so it is clear to the reader.  The students also created their own math games (listed materials needed, steps to follow, rules, etc.).  I laminated all of the games and we set up our Math Tubs.  In each Tub, there are a couple of student created games, math manipulatives and other resources to help students practice their addition and subtraction skills.  The Math Tubs have completed our Math Stations and the children have been fully engaged while learning.  It has been a lot of fun learning this past week in 3D!  Looking forward to another terrific week.


Your Partner in Education,

Mrs. Caluori