Whirlwind!
2/8/2019
The last few weeks in Third, Fourth and Fifth Grade have been a whirlwind! We've done lots of work, but we've still squeezed in a tremendous amount of fun, as you'll see in this week's blog! Math & Social Studies Work...In Fifth Grade math, we spent this week creating division word problems, and then solving them using tiled arrays. The idea for the week was to visualize how division actually works, as opposed to using the standard algorithm (what most people grow up with). Through visualization, students are better able to grasp exactly what's happening when we divide 144 by 12, or 304 by 16. Using a tiled array, students can actually start to see the shape and form of the problem, enabling them to better solve it. In Third Grade, we took the very simple idea of comparing two maps from different time periods to help us ask questions and start an investigation. Instead of using maps to show us physical locations, in class we've been using maps to show us changes over time. In the video below, we compare how the United States looked at the time of the Alaska Purchase with him the United States looked now. Looking at the two maps raises all kinds of questions for the students (and even for me) that we will use to help us when we investigate some of the reasons for the purchase of Seward's Folly! (Oops, I meant 'for the purchase of ALASKA.) Junie B Jones!This past Friday, the Second through Fifth Grade classes were treated to an extra special performance of Junie B Jones, performed through the Alaska Theatre of Youth at Alaska Pacific University... and starring the Fifth Grade's very own Keeva! Junie B Jones tells the story of the eponymous character as she navigates her way through her first day of first grade, making friends, realizing she needs glasses, and revealing her personal thoughts to the audience members through her journal! Auction Project In Full Swing!But that wasn't all! Fifth Grade (with quite a bit of help from Fourth Grade) kicked off their auction project with a visit from Miss Cassie, who will be running and directing this year's project. Together, students started designing an unusual piece of furniture -- a bookshelf shaped like a tree! Students decided on the height of the tree, the length and thickness of the branches, and the angles from which they would hang! Students also started thinking about their favorite books, which they will inscribe with a special message for the reader and then donate with the shelf! Large & In Charge!But the week wasn't over yet. To celebrate the one hundredth day of school this year, the Fourth and Fifth Grades were given the honor of hosting half a dozen celebration stations! Kindergarten through Third Grade travelled from station to station and, with the help of our illustrious students, were treated to bean bag tossing, sticker sticking, cup stacking, race car driving, and quite a few other fun activities. Students received several quite a few compliments on their hosting skills, and should be proud of how well they did! Third Grade got into the act, too... as the oldest players, they set a great example for the littler ones. They had fun, played responsibly and even helped quite a few of the younger grades with their activities! Great job, Third Grade! And, Just For Fun...NEXT YEAR!And, for a special preview of what to expect in the sixth grade year at PNA, please click on the link below!
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Jessica GrahamMs. Graham graduated from the University of Alabama with a BS in Early Childhood/Elementary Education, and is currently working on her master's in reading. She enjoys hiking, traveling, arts & crafts, and playing the ukulele. Archives
April 2021
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