Patterning Challenge

We spent some time discussing "mathematical thinking" and watched Jo Boaler's short video on the importance of making mistakes (for more details on mistakes, click here).

We started our investigation of patterns by thinking about how each of us sees the shapes growing (in the image opposite) What was fascinating is that in our class discussion, there were at least 8 different ways that students shared how they saw the pattern growing! It was an important reminder that there are multiple ways to solve problems.

Effective Communication and Collaboration Skills

Collaboration and communication are 2 of the most important skills we all need to master in order to work efficiently with partners.

We created criteria for effective collaboration in class. All students have a copy of this checklist in their binders for reference whenever they work in groups.

Procedural Writing Task

Students are working independently to write instructions for their food separator. This is an in-class writing task. We will continue this next week.

It would be wonderful if parents have time to test instructions and share some feedback. If you want to borrow materials from class, just ask!

Criteria for Excellent Procedural Instructions

I know I have had my share of experience trying to decipher bad instructions. After our class discussion, I realize I'm not the only one.

We spent time today creating criteria for excellent procedural instructions and added them to our reflection journals for future reference. We are using these to write instructions to build our food separator devices. Throughout the year, we will use these criteria to write experiment methods and other procedures.

Because photos would be very helpful, I suggested that they may bring their tech to school tomorrow to take pictures. This is NOT necessary. There are devices here that students can also use to take photos.

Food Separator Challenge

One of the most important skills we need to master is how to collaborate effectively. We discussed what happens in groups that work well and what happens when groups don't work well. We developed some strategies to show leadership when working in groups:

• when people get off task, we can ask them to help, make sure everyone has a role and gently remind them to stay on task

• we can make sure everyone is encouraged to share their ideas

• we need to listen attentively to each other

• when we disagree, we need to try to compromise and treat all group members with respect

The learning goals of the Food Separator Challenge are to:

• practice collaboration skills

• develop our questioning skills

• write excellent procedural instructions

The design challenge is to use only 4 index cards and some masking tape to design a device that will separate a mixture of dried rice and chick peas into 2 separate cups WITHOUT damaging the cups or handling the food mixture.

We will continue to perfect the devices before writing procedural instructions to make each device.