Junk Box Wars

I'm introducing "Junk Box Wars" to classes this year.  What are Junk Box Wars?  They are a more detailed version of our Instant Challenges.  Students participate in creative problem solving challenges using "junk" in their boxes.  It's a friendly competition where students use creativity, problem solving, and teamwork.  In this week's challenge, teams are required to create a chain that will hold weights from anchor points.  The longest chain that holds the most weight wins.  The key is not to have "The Weakest Link."

Is THIS Really OUR Classroom?

I thought I'd post a few picks of our classroom this week, because you know that it won't be this clean for long.  I've decorated the classroom in a "Wizard of Oz" theme per request of the 6th grade group.  But, no flying monkeys!

 

Obvious to You...Amazing to Others

Mystery Skype

Yay!  We completed our first Mystery Skype today!  My fifth grade students discovered the location of another 5th grade gifted class by asking them yes/no questions. 

See if you can guess their location.  Here are the questions we asked.

Are you north of the equator?

Yes

Are you in North America?

Yes

Are you in the United States?

Yes

Are you landlocked?

No

Are you in California?

No

Are you on the East Coast?

Yes

Are you in New York?

No

Are you in Flordia?

No

Are you a two word state?

No

Do you border Canada?

No, but our teacher’s Canadian.

Are you in Massachusetts?

No

Are you a southern state?

No

Are you in Virgina?

No

Are you in New Jersey

 No

Are you in Maryland?

No

Are you in Delaware?

Yes

Are you in Dover?

No

Are you south of Dover?

No

Are you in Barre?

Yes! We are in Barre!

Invention Convention

Challenge students, grades K-3, participated in an Invention Convention. Student brainstormed problems in their daily lives, then they developed solutions to their problems. They displayed their prototypes, patent applications, and posters. Family memebers questioned the students about their projects at the convention.

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My Mouth is a Volcano--Serendipity Day Movie

This story was adapted from the book written by Julia Click. The movie was created by compiling the work of 45 students in three different 40 minute sessions. The character word of the month for May is "Self-Control," so hopefully students will learn a little bit from the main character, Louis.

Science Fair

Our first, second, and third grade students recently competed in the Mastodon Science Fair. We had no first place projects, but we did have second and third places. I'm so excited to see what these students do with their knowledge of the scientific method in the future.

3, 2, 1 Blast Off:  Cassidy, Tara, and Bella

Electrofiers:  Jack and Jeremiah

Bacteria Busters:  Emma and Heidi

Rainbow Drinks:  Katie, Cecilia, and Maddy

Lights Out:  Kennedy Ta, Kennedy Tr, Madi, Alexus, and Paris