Embedded Files
October 2019
Ms. Towell's class show off their Frame of Reference- each student comes in with different likes, dislikes, experience, culture and it all affects who we are and how we react
Students in grades 2-5 have been working on their frames and recognizing their strengths and who they are!
2nd graders were playing a math game working on being flexible with their thinking while adding and subtracting!
5th graders were making molecules and compounds
September 2019
**Lots more going on than this, but I need to be better about taking pictures! Come back every month for more pictures!
5th Graders were working on order of operations!
During the air show a group of 5th graders learned how to roll up a parachute!
5th graders learned about the Revolutionary War and even got to dress up in clothes from the time period!
4th graders are stuck on Mars and have to solve math problems to escape!
March 13th, 2017
Shared Inquiry- What is it and why do we do it?
Anytime I read a story to our fourth and fifth graders they always ask, "Are we going to do that sit in a circle thing?" I laugh and remind them (again) that it is called Shared Inquiry. They are always super excited when I tell them yes! So, what exactly is shared inquiry and why are they excited about it? According to the Junior Great Book teacher's guide, Shared Inquiry is a chance for the students to "discover meaning in the story by discussing an interpretive question." This means the students have a chance to look at a big question, with lots of possible answers, and discuss it. They agree and disagree respectfully with their classmates, they provide evidence from the story for their opinions, and they ask questions to help clarify their understanding of the story and their classmates thinking. During our shared inquiry times they don't have a to raise their hands before they speak, because in a real conversation we don't raise our hands. This helps teach the kids how to wait their turn in a conversation, how to jump in and add their opinion, and for some, how to wait and actually give others a chance to be part of the conversation.
I asked a couple kids why they liked our shared inquiry times so much and they said:
"I just like to interact with other students and hear what they have to say about the book or story."- 5th grader
"It's fun to hear what others have to say. It's kinda funny when they against each other and people kindof argue."- 5th grader
"We get to share our ideas!"- 4th grader
"We all get to talk and hear others ideas." - 4th grader
Sometimes it's the little things we do, that end up having a big impact. By reading a story (normally 2 times), the kids have a good understanding of the story and are ready to discuss, and even debate, a big idea from the story. They get to share their opinions and they learn how to disagree with their classmates in an appropriate way. These are skills they will need long after they leave school!
January 23rd, 2017
Interested in summer and weekend enrichment activities to encourage leadership skills, problem solving, creative thinking, and just give your child a chance to stretch their brain? Follow this link to the Center for Gifted Education at the College of William and Mary. This is a great opportunity!
Interested in summer and weekend enrichment activities to encourage leadership skills, problem solving, creative thinking, and just give your child a chance to stretch their brain? Follow this link to the Center for Gifted Education at the College of William and Mary. This is a great opportunity!
January 11th, 2018
Want to know a simple way to make your child think a little more? Here is a basic question you can ask your son or daughter after they have read something......or watched something.....or any time they have learned or experienced something! Watch this video to learn a little more.
So, "What's the important thing about _____________?"
So, "What's the important thing about _____________?"
October 4th, 2017
Sometimes pictures speak louder than words! Here is some of what is going on around Holland!
In 5th grade we learned about using our voice to make a difference.
In 4th grade we worked on place value using the chromebooks and Nearpod!
In 3rd grade we tried to solve a real life problem. What could be created to help prevent or help the destruction caused by hurricanes?
In 5th grade we read many different Cinderella books. We summarized, gave advice, drew maps of settings, and looked at how the different cultures were incorporated into the books!
September 18, 2017
I have had the privilege of going into almost every class in the school and helping students create their own vision boards. We explained that a vision board is a board of some sort that is put where you will see it every day. This board has what they want to do in life, be in life, and have in life. We discussed what jobs we want to have when we grow up, fun things we want to do or places we want to go, what type of person we want to be, and what our strengths are. The students then used google slides to create a page with words and pictures that showed their goals for their life. We then made these vision boards the wallpaper for their chrome book. This means that every time they open their chrome books they are being reminded about what their goals are for their life!
My favorite part of the time I had with each class was hearing what type of person they wanted to be. I asked them, "If people were going to use one word to describe you when you were older, what word would you want them to use?" Some answers were....
- creative
- funny
- generous
- kind
- helpful
- foward-thinker
- peace maker
- brave and courageous
- intelligent
Let's continue to encourage and support these young minds to grow up to be courageous, forward-thinking, generous, peace-makers. Pretty sure the world could use more people like that!
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