Ms. Wilson

Week of January 30

It's so nice to be back to work with my students!!  It's going to be a great semester. :)  We are restructuring our class meetings this spring to increase self-reflection, appreciation for others' perspectives, and discussion. We have a weekly agenda.  As celebrations and/or concerns arise that affect the community of our classroom, students may place them on the agenda.  We'll discuss appropriate guidelines in class.  I will always have something on the agenda for us to discuss.  On today's agenda...questions!  It's often amazing to find where one little question can lead us.  Most of the questions students are asked at school have right and wrong answers:  What are the branches of the U.S. government?  Who invented the light bulb?  How do you regroup?  The questions we'll have on the agenda each week do not have answers you can find in books...they are about us!  Knowing what we believe in and who we are is important, so students will be asked to look into themselves to find answers to these questions.  No one answer is right for everyone.  In our meetings, there are no correct answers--only honest ones.  Everyone has a right to 'pass'.  We are all different, and everyone's ideas are valued. 

New Target parents: Please remember that we will have our 'New to Target' orientation on Monday, February 6.  It will be held from 7:20-7:50 a.m. in my room--room 609 in the Annex.  A presentation will be posted on my blog by end of day on the 6th for those of you who aren't able to attend.  I look forward to meeting new students' parents then!  :)

Second Grade

As we study the heart, students will answer these essential questions:  How does your heart affect health?  Why is heart essential to life?  How does heart help one to endure difficult times? We will explore cardiology and the cardiovascular system; the anatomy of the heart and blood, diseases, prevention, and treatments for the heart, and the American Heart Association. We will focus on emotional aspects of the heart: personal heart, what it means to show heart, and how emotions are strongly connected to heart rate and overall health.  I will discuss specifics here each week so you can anticipate topics your child may discuss and/or questions he/she may ask. 

This week, I'll introduce the topic with a connection to our first grade topic of study--many thanks to Katy Oubs for this idea!  We'll take a pre-test before moving into discussion on the anatomy of the heart.  Using a selected website and video, we'llcomplete a diagram.  To reinforce the function of each part, we'll examine a 3-D model of the human heart.  We'll discuss specific study skills, as students will have a quiz over the anatomy of the heart; that quiz will be Friday, 2/17.  I know your child may not have had to do much studying as this point in school.  We'll continue to examine the anatomy of the heart at school as well as discuss study skills.  Students will enjoy playing a game of "Scratch"--a creative brainstorming game focused on our topic of study.  We'll then spend the afternoon focusing on personal heart.  I'll introduce Love that Dog, a book written in verse.  We'll then discuss and begin our own heart maps.  These heart maps will be used in future weeks as we turn prose into poetry. 

Fourth and Fifth Grade

As we study robotics, students will answer these questions:  How does robotics impact society? How can math and scientific principles be applied to robotics?  How does inquiry-based research assist in solving problems?  We'll focus on an introduction to and history of robotics. This semester, students will be engaged in the design process to solve relevant, authentic, real-world problems. Learners do not follow a single path from problem to solution, but rather weave in and out of conceptualizing, constructing and testing, and acquiring knowledge, all the while applying multiple skills and habits of mind of innovators. The focus of this unit is engineering and technology as well as research.  Teamwork will be a major emphasis. We will learn a great deal and have much fun along the way! 

Students will enjoy playing "Scratch", a creative brainstorming game, as we begin our new study.  We'll then take a pretest before being introduced to the content.  Students will construct a definition for 'robot' after viewing a video produced by Honda.  Did you know how involved Honda is in the field of robotics?!  Given one hour in cooperative groups, students will design a simple robot.  Each team’s challenge is to use the provided envelope of materials to construct a robot that will pick something up and raise it from the table while also creating a relevant scenario.

Have a great week!

 

Schedule Update

I'm so excited to have completed annual testing and to be getting back to work with students!!  All classes will start up next week--the week of January 30.  The only schedule change that affects my students is second grade's move from Wednesday to Friday.  I look forward to seeing everyone next week.  :)

Parents of new Target students:  Please look for information that will come home with your child Thursday or Friday of this week.  Two stapled pages provide upcoming dates, information on the Target teachers, communication, our schedule, and a supply list. I'm excited to get to know your children!   

Happy New Year

Happy New Year!  I hope all of you enjoyed the holidays with family and friends.  I look forward to catching up with students; they always have exciting anecdotes to share.  I enjoyed the break!  The front end was busy, but the week in January was relaxing. :)  My family is local, so I was in town the majority of the time.  My sister and I went down to Tampa for the Outback Bowl.  While the game was kind of ugly (okay...definitely ugly!), the beach was beautiful.  The temps were in the mid 70's when we arrived.  Here was one of my first sights...

The temperature dropped 42 degrees between the time I left for the game on the 2nd and the time I arrived home that night.  It was actually fun tracking the change as we drove that night. :)  Anyway, I'm glad to be back at school!  I spent some time over the break completing progress reports and making plans for the spring semester. Please look for the progress report to come home with your child's report card.  Second graders will be studying the heart (specific links to medicine and poetry), while fourth and fifth graders will study robotics.  I can't wait to dive into these topics with your children! :)  It won't be long...

We will conduct annual testing over the next three weeks.  As soon as testing is complete, we'll let you know about any changes to the schedule.  The only change I know at this point is that my 2nd grade class (Wednesday's class) will move to Friday.  We will make changes to other classes only if new students take us over class size limits. 

Until then, I'll end with some thoughts I have about this year's focus.  Teddy Roosevelt said:  "Believe you can, and you're halfway there." In August, we buried our "I can'ts".  I've enjoyed seeing students remind each other that they 'can'; some say "can't" is an illegal word.  ;)  We've had some truly memorable class meetings.  I've been amazed at the positive communication between students and consistent teamwork.  I look forward to continued growth and a great spring semester! 

Have a great week!

Week of December 19

This time of year especially leads me to reflect on my blessings.  Teaching your children is truly one of those blessings.  These kids are so supportive of each other, work hard, and consistently enjoy learning.  We started off the week with some great Morgan Falls bridge proposals.  I look forward to the events of the next several days! 

Second Grade

Students will begin class by completing their specialty license plate.  After those are completed, we'll wrap up our study of bats and enjoy some holiday activities--Target style.  Students will use their analytical thinking to uncover reindeer antics and will use their creative thinking as we piggy-back off the book Snow Music. 

Fourth and Fifth Grade

The presentations to Cobb County Commissioners and bridge strength tests take place this week! Our fifth graders were amazing this morning!  They were thorough in presenting the facts, incorporated their own recommendations, and showed other companies tremendous respect.  They were very excited to test their bridges.  I greatly enjoyed this day and was very proud of students' efforts!  I look forward to spending Tuesday with my 4th graders.  :)  Please look for a final update later this week; some companies will be recognized, and photos will be posted.

Have a great week!

Week of December 12

It's a busy time of year!  I compose this week's post after returning home from "Larry, Carols, and Mo", a fun holiday event at the Fox. The organist, Larry-Douglas Embury, was amazing, and the snow (Yes, snow!) was neat to see.

This year's gifted testing will take place in January.  We'll miss our kids and look forward to resuming with our classes once testing is complete.  Please continue to check the blog weekly for scheduling updates.  This week's plans...

Second Grade

I had planned for students to complete their flipbooks last week.  I can't complain that they're still unfinished; the effort students are putting into their work is exceptional. :) I'll work with students to put the reference page together after they complete their work.  We'll complete our discussion of bat communication before focusing on conservation of these incredible creatures.  We'll specifically examine the need for bats and the dangers they face.  Students will use their creativity as they design a bat-related specialty license plate. 

If time permits, we'll continue our work with Balance Benders. Students have now worked with single and multiple variables, inequalities, and basic systems of equations.  I know these sound like advanced terms, but the concepts are presented in such a way that they support student discovery.  We're working to apply algebraic concepts to solve a problem and then substitute numbers to check our work.  Many students are still more comfortable substituting numbers from the beginning, but they're all making progress.  I love seeing the excitement students have for these challenging problems. 

Fourth and Fifth Grade

Each company will work this week to complete their bridge model and presentation.  Students needing additional time are welcome to come in any morning between 7:20-7:50.  Considering the Holiday Sing on Thursday, 12/22, we were concerned we'd run out of time.  For that reason, all 5th graders (Monday and Thursday's classes) will come to Target on Monday; they will have an opportunity to present for each other.  We'll be sure to post some pictures on the blog next week!

Have a great week!

Week of December 5

I can't believe we're almost half-way through our year!  We'll be quite busy the next three weeks, and we promise to have a lot of fun along the way.  :)  This year's gifted testing will take place in January.  We'll miss our kids and look forward to resuming with our classes once testing is complete.  Please continue to check the blog weekly for scheduling updates.  This week's plans...

Second Grade

Last week's logic problem was challenging for students.  We worked through it together, paying attention to what we could infer from each clue.  For example, imagine this scenario:  Five kids are among those stuck in an airport during a snowstorm (creating this one as I go...:)).  Based on the clues, determine the final destination of each child and the item he/she forgot to pack.  Now, with this clue, "Brennan, the one who went to New York, Nia, and the boy who forgot his sneakers all played cards.", we see that four kids are playing cards.  Brian is one of them, and Nia is another.  Brennan cannot be the one going to New York or the one who forgot his sneakers.  Nia can not be the one going to New York, and she certainly isn't the one who forgot his sneakers. A boy forgot his sneakers, so we can eliminate any other girl from consideration.  These students have seen logic problems in first and second grade.  What was different about this one was the amount of information they could infer from a single clue.  We will continue to work on breaking down information as we tackle a similar problem this Wednesday. 

Students will complete their flip books, and we'll work together to organize their reference pages.  We'll continue our discussion of echolocation, and students will work with a partner during an interactive communication simulation.  If time permits, we'll examine a model of a nursery colony and discuss bats' care of their pups.  We'll tackle two Balance Benders this week.

Fourth and Fifth Grade

Each company is working diligently to build a model of their bridge and prepare their presentation to give before the 'Cobb Board of Commissioners'.  We will test the strength of each bridge and hear all presentations during the week of December 19.  If students feel they need additional time to work, they may work in our classrooms before school.  Our classrooms are open 7:20-7:50 a.m.  My students know that I have car duty on Tuesday mornings; on Tuesdays, they may take their materials to Ms. Neal's room.  Ms. Neal and Ms. Goss's students may work in my room on the days they have duty.  I'm seeing considerable effort, teamwork, and practical application of science concepts as students work.  It's always need to see the "final product", though!  I promise to post some pictures. 

Have a great week!

Week of November 28

I hope all of you had a blessed Thanksgiving!  I'm fortunate to be surrounded by family here in the Atlanta area.  We had a full house (30-35) on Thanksgiving day.  Of course, the Saturdays preceding and following the week were exciting--Go Dawgs!!  I enjoyed the Garden Lights at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens; I highly recommend them for families. :)  I also enjoyed a trip to the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC, and to see Lady Antebellum in concert in Huntsville, AL. It was a great week, but I'm excited to be back with students!  We have four short weeks before the winter holidays; we'll be busy!

Second Grade

Students have been asking for a logic problem.  We'll start our day with one; students will use deductive reasoning to determine which character researched which species of bat.  Speaking of research...our project is almost complete.  Students will work to complete their flip books using the information they've collected.  The tornado warnings during our last class prevented us from completing our experiments on flight; we'll wrap those up this week and discuss their relationship to bats.  Students will then be introduced to echolocation.  Students will gain understanding about the discovery of echolocation as well as about the relationship between bats' anatomy and their abilities.  Ask your child about the echolocation tune; they'll love it!  :) 

Fourth and Fifth Grade

It was such a joy meeting so many of our students at Morgan Falls before the break!  We had close to 40 students on Thursday afternoon and 30 or so on Saturday!  It meant so much to the three of us that you would take your time to support this project--some of you on both days!  :)  We had a great time on Thursday. It was neat to see the improvements Sandy Springs has made to the area.  Aesthetically, it's amazing!  Ms. Neal had nothing but great things to say about the students who attended on Saturday.  I hated to miss it but look forward to talking with students who were there.

Companies will begin or continue to build their bridges according to their architectural plans. Accountants, carpenters, CEOS and architects will complete their weekly tasks.  Students will gather research on the various viewpoints concerning this bridge.  This research will be used to assist them in preparing their presentations before the Cobb County Commissioners.  

Stay warm!  Have a great week!

Week of November 14

Go Dawgs!  It was a great Saturday in Athens.  :)  As we look toward the Thanksgiving holiday, I'd like to say that I'm grateful for the opportunity I have to work with these amazing kids.  I enjoy their enthusiasm, engagement, and effort in class.  I love getting to know each of them and seeing them grow over the years. During class meetings this week, we'll discuss things we're thankful for--the intangibles.  I hope all of you have a safe and happy Thanksgiving filled with all the intangibles you're thankful for.  :)

Second Grade

We'll start off the day with a Thanksgiving-themed brainteaser.  Students will use their creativity as they consider the holiday from various people and objects' point of view.  We will complete the experiments we began last week, focusing on the connection between the principles of flight and the body of bats.  Finally, we will begin the publication phase of our research project.  Students have located and organized their information.  This week, they'll begin creating a flip book on their species of bat.

Fourth and Fifth Grade

We would like to give students the opportunity to take a guided tour of the potential sites of the Morgan Falls bridge.  While we don't have time in our schedule to take a field trip, we are available after school.  Ms. Neal, Ms. Goss, and I will be at the site Wednesday, November 16, at 3:30.  Any students who wish to take an informal tour with us, see the three potential sites, and discuss the considerations as they relate to the surrounding features may meet us there. The opportunity promises to provide deeper understanding for students. We will be by the river at 3:30.  You may drive your child down the hill (You'll see the Georgia Power dam on the right.), drop them off with us, and drive back to the top of the hill to park.  You  are certainly welcome to join us, or there is an amazing playground at the top of the hill that siblings would enjoy.  We expect that our time with students would last about 30-45 minutes.  For directions, visit:  http://www.sandyspringsga.org/City-Departments/Recreation-and-Parks/Parks-and-Facilities/Morgan-Falls-Overlook-Park  We look forward to seeing many of our students there!

**Note:  The weather forecast currently calls for showers and possible thunderstorms on Wednesday. We will use Thursday as a rain day for our trip to Morgan Falls.  We will post a note on the 'Ultimate Connections' page of our blogs (in the right margin of the blog) with our plans by 2:00 on Wednesday. If the weather forecast is wrong, we'll still plan on Wednesday.  If there is rain, we'll move our plans to Thursday.  Please check the blog on Wednesday afternoon.  Thanks!

We are now fully involved in our Morgan Falls bridge project.  Companies will work at their pace to complete research, purchase and prepare their plot of land, design their bridge, investigate the controversy surrounding this proposal, and create their presentation for the Cobb Board of Commissioners. 

Thank you for the generous donations of flat toothpicks and bottle caps!!  If you have already purchased toothpicks and plan to send them in this week, we look forward to them.  If you have not already purchased any but planned to, please know that we're already very close to having the amount we need...if we're not there already.  No one else needs to look for or purchase additional toothpicks.  :)  We're also set with bottle caps.  Thank you to everyone who helped out!!  You're appreciated. 

Have a great week!

Week of November 7

I just came across the neatest website!  Suggested by NBC News' Education Nation, Wonderopolis offers a video to introduce the "Have you ever wondered...?", "Did you know?", "Try it out!", "Words to know and use", and a "Still wondering?" on a unique topic each day. Students (and adults :)) can explore as much as they like.  This is the sort of thing I know many of my students love.  :)  I'll bookmark the site on my "Fun Sites for Everyone" page; pages are located in the right margin of my blog. 

The holidays are just around the corner.  We'll be very busy this week and next!  :)  Please note two schedule changes.   We will not see any of our Tuesday classes this week since it is a school holiday.  On Thursday, the three of us must attend a meeting; we will see Thursday's Target classes on Friday. 

Attention all 4th and 5th grade parents:  We would like to give students the opportunity to take a guided tour of the potential sites of the Morgan Falls bridge.  While we don't have time in our schedule to take a field trip, we are available after school.  Ms. Neal and I will be at the site Wednesday, November 16, at 3:30.  Any students who wish to take an informal tour with us, see the three potential sites, and discuss the considerations as they relate to the surrounding features may meet us there. The opportunity promises to provide deeper understanding for students. Ms. Neal and I will be by the river at 3:30.  You may drive your child down the hill (You'll see the Georgia Power dam on the right.), drop them off with us, and drive back to the top of the hill to park.  You  are certainly welcome to join us, or there is an amazing playground at the top of the hill that siblings would enjoy.  We expect that our time with students would last about 30-45 minutes.  For directions, visit:  http://www.sandyspringsga.org/City-Departments/Recreation-and-Parks/Parks-and-Facilities/Morgan-Falls-Overlook-Park  We look forward to seeing many of our students there!

This week's class meeting focuses on cooperation.  We'll discuss skills that are helpful when working in a team as well as factors that can lead to a breakdown in communication.  Students will connect their understanding to books and movies that contain a theme of cooperation and/or cooperative problem solving. 

Second Grade

We've completed the note-taking phase of our research project!  This week, students will work to organize that information using the system we've already created.  Studentswill then be introduced to the four forces of flight:  lift, thrust, drag, and weight.  Using selected online resources, small groups of students will explore these forces as they relate to airplanes.  We'll conduct mini-experiments that illustrate each force.  We'll then connect our understanding to what we learned about the structure of a bat's wing and the flight of these fascinating creatures. 

Fifth Grade

We are now fully involved in our Morgan Falls bridge project.  Companies will work at their pace to complete research, purchase and prepare their plot of land, design their bridge, and begin investigation of the controversy surrounding this proposal. 

Homework:  We have enough bottle caps now--Thank You!  We are still desperately in need of flat toothpicks for students to use.  A parent said she found the flat ones at Publix.  If you are in the store and could pick up a box, it would be much appreciated!

Week of October 31

What a beautiful time of year it is!!  I enjoyed the bright reds, oranges, and yellows during my commute last week.  Then, of course, it was the annual GA/FL weekend.  Dawg and Gator fans know what I'm talking about.  Can I hear a "Go, Dawgs!"?  Yes, Tech fans, I was watching your game as well.  :)  I hope everyone enjoyed Halloween!  This week's plans...

Each grade level's class meeting will focus on goal-setting and the benefits of setting both short and long-term goals for ourselves.  As students return their progress report signature slips, we'll discuss their goals for the next quarter. 

Second Grade

We've gotten a little behind on our research project.  While I'm not concerned, I wanted to address it so you understand how my blog and our plans are related. :)  One of the nice things about Target is that we're not as tightly bound by pacing as we would be in the regular classroom.  As students show intense interest, we take an activity in an unexpected 'teachable moment' direction, or as more time is needed, we're often able to use it.  Some planned activities may then be moved back to the next week or, on occasion, eliminated if no longer needed.  If you see an activity described one week and then again the next, please know it's just because I needed to make an adjustment. This group is very focused and intent on putting forth their best effort!  :)  I've given them additional time when they've asked for it, and we've enjoyed some in-depth discussion.  This week, we'll focus on organizing the information we collected during research.

Our brainteaser, "This Won't Fly...Or Will It?", requires students to 'see' things in a different way.  After organizing the information we collected on our species of bat, students will be introduced to the four fources of flight:  lift, thrust, drag, and weight.  Using selected online resources, small groups of students will explore these forces as they relate to airplanes. As time permits, we'll conduct mini-experiments that illustrate each force.  We'll then connect our understanding to what we learned last week about the structure of a bat's wing and the flight of these fascinating creatures. 

Fourth and Fifth Grade

As we begin class, students will have an opportunity to complete their 'Top 10'.  Those who have submitted it already will begin a verbal challenge, "Word Bridges".  I enjoyed hearing students talk through some of these this morning!

Each company has been issued the challenge of creating a proposal to build a pedestrian/bicycle bridge near Morgan Falls Dam, connecting Cobb and Fulton Counties.  They will begin this problem-based project by researching the context for their work. Using the feasibility study elicited by the Sandy Springs Conservancy, each company will gather information on potential site locations, bridge dimensions, topographical factors, and key considerations such as flood plane and gas line restrictions.  Students will receive job training; Ms. Neal and I will meet with accountants, CEOs, architects, carpenters, and transportation chiefs.  Each company will determine their preferred site location using a topographical map and three designated site options.  They will discuss the type of bridge that would work best for this site, and if time permits, they will begin drawing plans for their bridge.  Thus begins the Morgan Falls Bridge Project!  (For more information, see the Ultimate Connections page in the right margin of my blog.)  Students will complete all work for this project at school, but I'm sure they'll enjoy discussing their ideas and progress with you at home. This project promises to be both exciting and challenging. :)

Homework:  We are requesting flat toothpicks and plastic bottle caps (such as from a water or soda bottle) for students' use during this project.  I asked each student in Monday's class to try to bring a box of toothpicks, but realistically, we only need 1-2 boxes per small group (3-4) of students.  If you are able to locate a box of flat ones and could send it in, we'd greatly appreciate it!  Flat ones work much better for this project but are not as easily spotted in a store.  Bottle caps are ideal containers for glue.  Thank you in advance for your help!  :)

Have a great week!