I see… I think… I wonder…

… about movement. Today, students examined sets of images depicting various aspects of life in Japan. Images were grouped to promote thoughts and wonderings about Japan and movement as a change agent. As we continue our inquiry into how the world works, we will revisit these images, making connections and exploring ideas more deeply.

         

Resources:

Patterns, perimeter, paperclips, and a property (symmetry)

Once again today, we had the opportunity to welcome our buddies into our classroom. This time, PS1 students helped us explore non-standard measurement, pattern building, symmetry, and perimeter and area were ideas explored during our time today. The base ten block structures were especially exciting!

           

                             

To learn more about these concepts, check out the following videos.

Homework for Nov. 26-30 (Week 15)

  1. Read for at least 30 minutes each night. Complete the online reading log OR one on paper. (Copies are available in class).
  2. Explore some lessons on IXL.com and / or Khan Academy in the following areas:
    • *Fractions*
    • *Decimals*
    • Logical Reasoning
    • **A Scholar has a goal: This past week, we answered 2,176 questions during just over 19 hours on IXL!**
  3. Log on and “Launch” into some learning with Everyday Math. (Note: Log on information is in your planner.)
  4. Make sure you are practicing your songs for the musical.
  5. Reflect back on Week 14, and complete the “Reflection: Learning Habits” form.

Note: Homework is due on Fridays.

**Check back later in the week for additional homework related to in-class discussions and activities.

Announcements

  1. Library is scheduled weekly on Mondays from 9:30 – 10:10 a.m.
    • Bring your book bag and books.
  2. P.E. is scheduled weekly on Mondays and Fridays. Come dressed to exercise – sneakers, hat, sunscreen.
    • ALERT: The swim unit continues this week, so bring your swim suit and a towel!
  3. Trimester 2 ASAs began last Monday. See the updated list for YOUR activity day and location.
  4. We will be able to share some time with our buddies on Wednesday, November 28.
  5. Join us for a festive PTC Movie Event on Wednesday, November 28 from 1:45 – 4:00 p.m.
  6. The elementary Celebration of the Arts will be held on Friday, November 30 at 8:15 a.m.

 

PYP Parent Workshop

TASOK is pleased to announce an exciting learning opportunity!  We will be hosting our first IB PYP (Primary Years Programme) Workshop for TASOK elementary parents offered by PYP Coordinator Leslee Rupp.  You are cordially invited to attend this parent workshop on Monday, December 3rd from 8:15 a.m. to approximately 9:45 a.m. in the TASOK CAC.  This workshop will focus on curricular changes in the elementary school, components of the PYP, and our candidacy as a PYP school.  If you are interested, please email Dustin Collins at dcollins@tasok.net with the number of chairs you are requesting.  For more information about the International Baccalaureate (IB) and the Primary Years Programme (PYP), please visit https://www.ibo.org/programmes/primary-years-programme/. We hope to see you next Monday!

Sincerely,

Dustin Collins

Elementary and Middle School Principal

International Day = Culture, Clothing Cuisine,… Coming Together

Today began with a Flag Ceremony. First thing this morning, staff, students, and some parents, many wearing traditional clothing or clothing that represented their home country, lined the central sidewalk running from the parking lot to the high school soccer field. Students hailing from the United States gathered closest to the parking lot, where Mr. Collins, in full patriotic costume, was enthusiastically encouraging students and generously sharing flags. From there, somewhat more subdued students from the United Kingdom, Turkey, and Thailand gathered by their respective flags, which continued in reverse alphabetical order all the way to Albania. Students from our host country, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, gathered at the front of the line, waiting to lead the Flag Ceremony onto the field.

   

In Olympic-like fashion, each nation was announced by Dr. Gillespie, followed by some cheering and marching to the beat of some marvelous music. While last year’s list noted 50 countries, this year’s parade celebrated 60 nations. It’s amazing to see how we can celebrate and be unified by such diversity.

         

After the parade, we gathered to spell out C-O-N-D-O-R-S for our all-school photo, which was taken by… a drone!!  One funny moment was when a bird decided to make friends with the drone.

The photo has not yet been released, but we will post it here when it’s ready.

Much of the rest of the day was spent watching the clock as the much-anticipated International Lunch approached. At 11:15 a.m., older students made the traditional trek to the elementary school to meet their assigned elementary buddies with whom they enjoyed a fabulous feast. We were on our own this year, which allowed us to all eat together and enjoy one another’s company and conversation. Tables decorated with patterned pagne cloth and set with napkin-wrapped utensils welcomed the students to the covered basketball court. With patience and politeness, students and staff perused the beautiful and bountiful buffet and selected samples to savor. Congolese beignets, Lebanese tabouleh, Turkish mercimek koftesi, Malagasy mofo laisoa, and… American mac and cheese were only a few of the featured foods. For almost 90 minutes, our TASOK family lingered over this mouthwatering meal. And, when it was all over, students even stuck around to serve by cleaning up.

   

Thank you to those who helped coordinate the lunch and prepared delicious dishes for us to sample. Know we are grateful.

We are also grateful for Mr. Jimmy and his willingness to share his love for music with us and for the opportunity to share our love for music with the TASOK community.

If you enjoyed our performance, join us for more on Friday for the Elementary Celebration of the Arts at 8:15 a.m.

 

Homework for Nov. 19-23 (Week 14)

  1. Read for at least 30 minutes each night. Complete the online reading log OR one on paper. (Copies are available in class).
  2. Explore some lessons on IXL.com and / or Khan Academy in the following areas:
    • *Fractions*
    • *Decimals*
    • Logical Reasoning
    • **A Scholar has a goal: This past week, we answered 3,934 questions during just over 25 hours on IXL!**
  3. Log on and “Launch” into some learning with Everyday Math. (Note: Log on information is in your planner.)
  4. Make sure you are practicing your songs for the musical.
  5. Reflect back on Week 13, and complete the “Reflection: Learning Habits” form.

Note: Homework is due on Fridays.

**Check back later in the week for additional homework related to in-class discussions and activities.

Announcements

  1. Library is scheduled weekly on Mondays from 9:30 – 10:10 a.m.
    • Bring your book bag and books.
  2. P.E. is scheduled weekly on Mondays and Fridays. Come dressed to exercise – sneakers, hat, sunscreen.
    • ALERT: The swim unit continues this week, so bring your swim suit and a towel!
  3. Trimester 2 ASAs begin on Monday. See the list below for YOUR activity day and location.
  4. International Day is on Wednesday, November 21.
    • Come prepared to celebrate TASOK’s diversity and to share in some delicious dishes from around the world.
      • Flag Ceremony – 8:15 a.m.
      • International Lunch – 11:15 a.m.
      • Early Dismissal – 12:45 a.m.
  5. No School on Thursday, November 22 – Friday, November 23.
    • Take time to reflect on and share that for which you are thankful.

Made with Padlet

 

Challenge:

  • What are the benefits of gratitude?

  • What evidence can you find that gratitude affects your brain?

Homework for Nov. 12-16 (Week 13)

  1. Read for at least 30 minutes each night. Complete the online reading log OR one on paper. (Copies are available in class).
  2. Explore some lessons on IXL.com and / or Khan Academy in the following areas:
    • *Multiplication*
    • *Geometry*
    • Logical Reasoning
    • **A Scholar has a goal: This past week, we answered 3,989 questions during about 26 hours on IXL!**
  3. Log on and “Launch” into some learning with Everyday Math. (Note: Log on information is in your planner.)
  4. Make sure you are practicing your songs for the musical.
  5. Reflect back on Week 12, and complete the “Reflection: Learning Habits” form.

Note: Homework is due on Fridays.

**Check back later in the week for additional homework related to in-class discussions and activities.

Announcements

  1. Library is scheduled weekly on Mondays from 9:30 – 10:10 a.m.
    • Bring your book bag and books.
  2. P.E. is scheduled weekly on Mondays and Fridays. Come dressed to exercise – sneakers, hat, sunscreen.
    • ALERT: The swim unit begins this week, so bring your swim suit and a towel!
  3. Math Assessment
    • On Wednesday, we will have an opportunity to show what we know from our second math unit, which focused mostly on:
      • making arrays
      • finding factors and multiples
      • finding the area of rectangles
      • changing from hours to minutes
      • knowing whether to add or multiple when comparing two things
      • explaining mathematical thinking clearly and precisely
      • identifying the properties of quadrilaterals
      • lines of symmetry
      • finding rules for input-output relationships

      The assessment will also include questions from our first unit, so hopefully you saved those scholarly ideas.

      If you have time, review some of these topics on Everyday Math, IXL ,or Math is Fun (Math is Fun is a very informative multiple source.).

  4. The Night Run is scheduled for Friday, November 16, 2018
    • Cost: $5 per person OR $15 for family of 4
    • Registration:
      • Pay at the business office, OR
      • Pay at the event between 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
      • Neon bracelets & necklaces are included.
    • 2K Fun Run: Begins at 6:00 p.m.
    • 5K Competition: Begins at 6:30 p.m.

Supporting Smiles. Encouraging Endurance.

Today, TASOK welcomed hundreds of students from schools across the city to join in on a journey through the jungle. The cross-country meet provided opportunities for some students to run a rigorous race and for others to stand by and support. As a bunch of bystanders, fourth graders were able to witness the power of words to strengthen and spur others on.  With outreached hands, we heartened competitors and community-members alike, participating in each person’s pursuit of perseverance.  With simple words of encouragement, we saw smiles shine on fatigued and frustrated faces. With the clapping of hands and the chanting of cheers, we saw slow, struggling steps transform into speedy, strong strides.

We were grateful for the chance to serve with smiles and support and to see how easy and essential encouragement is.

     

The perseverance of the runners reminded me of this baby bear. NEVER give up!

Tackling Triangles

Today, we tackled triangles. After discussing the properties or attributes of triangles, Miss Kaun challenged us to make an obtuse isosceles triangle. Some scholars used their multiple sources as a reference and subsequently adjusted angles and switched out sides. By manipulating straws and twist ties, many more triangles were made. In addition, a number of thoughtful math conversations occurred as we challenged one another to consider different points of view.

   

Check out the following multiple sources to help you inquire further into the ideas investigated today.

Flocabulary: Types of Triangles

Here are a couple other videos from Math Antics on some related topics – polygons and quadrilaterals

Math is Fun

In addition to reading and ruminating on some rigorous ideas, you can use Math is Fun’s online tools to play with polygons and their angles.

As we continue to become more powerful math-magicians, we will be able to use polygons and our understanding of them as multiple sources. We will use polygons as tools to explore concepts related to angles and fractions, as well as, problem solving and algebra.

Symmetry, Structures, Sets, and Not-so-Standard Tools

Today, we shared time with our buddies. Some of us went to Mr. Matthew’s class, while others remained in our room to host a host (Bonus: homonyms- see video below) of math activities. In our classroom, we helped our buddies explore some of our math manipulatives, while reinforcing some of the key ideas we have been learning in math, as well.

At one station, we used non-standard measuring tools like markers, dominoes, and paperclips to measure our buddies and ourselves. This task tapped into our experience solving a problem in which we had to find equivalent measures by comparing dog treats and paperclips. Eventually, we will convert our non-standard measurements of height and length into metric units.

                                 

We also helped out buddies build patterns using pattern blocks. Recognizing and building patterns s something students work on in preschool. We also explore patterns in fourth grade, but we apply our understanding to things like multiples and function (input-output) tables.

          

Symmetry was the focus of another station. Our buddies used pattern blocks to create a design. It was our challenge to create a reflected symmetrical representation of that design.

                     

Our fourth station required us to collaboratively build a structure using base ten blocks. We then had to calculate the perimeter and area of our structure. A bonus measurement was volume, which we will learn about more later in the year.

              

With the bit of extra time some groups had, they got creative with the dominoes. How many do you think they were able to stack before they toppled over. Patience and persistence were tested here.

             

Nonstandard Measurement

Do you think these would be good videos to share with our buddies to help them better understand the process of measuring?

 Bonus: Homonyms

Because we were able to host a host of math activities, let’s explore the idea of homonyms and a whole host of other words. (*I learned a lot from this video. And, I am curious about the links mentioned.)

Homework for November 5-9 (Week 12)

  1. Read for at least 30 minutes each night. Complete the online reading log OR one on paper. (Copies are available in class).
  2. Explore some lessons on IXL.com and / or Khan Academy in the following areas:
    • *Multiplication*
    • *Geometry*
    • Logical Reasoning
    • **A Scholar has a goal: This past week, we answered 3,679 questions during about 24 hours on IXL!**
  3. Log on and “Launch” into some learning with Everyday Math. (Note: Log on information is in your planner.)
  4. Make sure you are practicing your songs for the musical.
  5. Reflect back on Week 11, and complete the “Reflection: Learning Habits” form.

Note: Homework is due on Fridays.

**Check back later in the week for additional homework related to in-class discussions and activities.

Announcements

  1. Library is scheduled weekly on Mondays from 9:30 – 10:10 a.m.
    • Bring your book bag and books.
  2. P.E. is scheduled weekly on Mondays and Fridays. Come dressed to exercise – sneakers, hat, sunscreen.
  3. Buddies are preparing some fun activities for us to enjoy on Wednesday, November 7.
  4. The Invitational Cross Country Meet is scheduled for Friday, November 9, 2018
    • Be prepared to cheer on our Condors AND fill up our guests’ buckets as they run.
  5. The Invitational Volleyball Tournament is scheduled for Saturday, November 10, 2018
    • Come cheer on our Condors AND share TASOK hospitality!
  6. ALERT: SCHEDULE CHANGE Night Run is scheduled for Friday, November 16, 2018
    • Cost: $5 per person OR $15 for family of 4
    • Registration:
      • Pay at the business office, OR
      • Pay at the event between 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
      • Neon bracelets & necklaces are included.
    • 2K Fun Run: Begins at 6:00 p.m.
    • 5K Competition: Begins at 6:30 p.m.
  7. Thank you to Ms. Yoko, Ms. DeHolton, the ateliers, and the 7th grade art students for the beautiful recycling barrels featuring plastic-eating monster and bird! Creative and caring!

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