2018 #BestYearYet

Today starts the first blog post for 2018-2019 class!
We are off to a great start this year and I am so excited about the great thinking being shared in our room.

Here students are building their "locker label" with the app Pic Collage. Students will utilize the iPad throughout the school year to assist with research, writing, building background knowledge, and to practice basic skills.

Let's make this the best year yet!

Game Day!

On the countdown to Middle School, one of our daily activities was "Game Day". Students could play any game they wanted as long as it was not electronic!

Lots of fun to be had!

Thank You!

The Columbia Public Schools Foundation treated our class to a bagel party today! We are so thankful. What a great way to end our week of MAP testing.

Good Day Sunshine!

Finally! A warm day to play outside is greatly appreciated!

Comet Culture Parade 2018

Comet culture parade #2018 https://t.co/ThclLi9qIe

— Ms.Thelen (@thelensthinkers) March 20, 2018

Exploring the WWI trunk

Students are introduced to some basic ideas about WWI. Students are discovering which countries were involved and how warfare has changed since the Civil War. It was considered the Great War since so many countries were involved worldwide. Students explored the role of the trenches, submarines, and airplanes. A war that was touted to be a "quick" effort that should be over by Christmas, dragged on for years. 

Below, you can see students exploring the WWI trunk from the Missouri State Museum.

Measuring Length and Volume

Students collect a data set to create a line plot graph. Students measured their height in inches.  Our range of height was 54 inches- 64 inches.

 Students found the volume of the Willis Tower in Chicago.  Using a "model" of the towers. We discovered that there were nine towers.  Then, using some data provided, students were challenged with finding the approximate volume of the towers. A great challenging problem!

Our first round of computation. Back to the drawing board!