Landforms All Around!

This week, students completed a study of their environment with a specific focus on landforms.  You would think that the main goal would be for students to be able to identify landforms and their characteristics, but we wanted to take things a step further to engage our learners and allow them to interact at higher levels with this content.  To tackle that goal, we designed instruction about landforms in the following sequence: 

1.  To solidify a conceptual understanding of landforms and their features, science teachers designed opportunities for students to carefully research each landform and allowed students the opportunity to design a display.  This allowed students to work collaboratively and use critical thinking to create their model, and required that they use their research to make decisions about their design.  

2.  In social studies, students read about how landforms impact communities.  They explored the lifestyle benefits and challenges of living near certain landforms, and the resources that these landforms provide for humans.   We also looked at many maps of landforms that helped us solidify our understanding of where major landforms are located in the United States. 

3.  We are currently focusing on the genre of poetry in reading and writing, so students were challenged to create a landform poem that not only communicates the characteristics of the landform, but uses poetic structure and elements to describe their landform in a creative way.  

Pictured below are several examples of these 3 engaging tasks!!  

Beckett's humorous poem about a peninsula. 

Sam's free verse about the elements of the river. 

Nate's hauntingly beautiful poem about the ocean. 

Fraction Frenzy!

For the past two weeks we have been focusing on fractions! We have reviewed different representations for fractions - the area, set and number line models. Students have connected a picture fraction to words and symbols. We strongly emphasis that a fraction represents equal parts (area, set, or a length) of a whole. We brought relevance to fractions by solving everyday problems using our models to help us determine a solution. We planned meaningful differentiated, interactive fraction activities that extended and deepened students understanding!

Fraction Mosaics
Jackson and Ben are explaining their thinking about a fraction mosaic. This rigorous activity required that students design a mosaic that matched the fraction description on their task card. Students have to have a strong understanding of the relationship between fractions and division. They had to determine what whole set number is divisible by the fractional parts noted on their card. For example: "Build a design that is one-third red and one-eighth blue."

Fraction War
A mathematical take on a classic game of war! Students have to determine whose fraction is greater. They have to have a strong understanding of the relationship between the numerator and denominator as well as equivalent and improper fractions. In this video Audrey and Shashwat are justifying which card is the greatest.

Election Party Fractions 
This project required that students apply their knowledge of fractions to build the correct pizzas and partition brownies for a party they were hosting. Students conducted a survey, partitioned their pizzas correctly based on the toppings requested, and identified the various fractions (including equivalent fractions), totaling one whole. They determined how to share eight brownies equally among ten guest ensuring each person had a fair share. They created products displaying their findings ranging from play-dough pizzas to posters to Google slide shows! 

Fraction Task Cards
Katherine is solving a fraction task card word problem. She draws a model to help her compare two-thirds and two-sixths.

Fractions in the "Real World"

Students asked mom and dad how they use fractions in the "real world" and contributed ideas to our poster. This helped students understand the relevancy of studying fractions. 

Critical Writing

Teaching first graders all about fractions! Students write daily in math class too! Writing across content areas strengthens our critical thinking skills. Students analyze problems and explain and justify their thinking using mathematical language and vocabulary.

Proud to be an American!

On Tuesday November 8, 2016 we had a mock election at Beck. Below are some of the pictures from Tuesday.




Veterans Day is the day set aside to thank and honor all of those who have served in the military. We would like to thank each of you for your service. Below you will see Veteran relatives of current Third Grade students.

Ed Tennison is the father of Tristan Tennison. He is finishing up a 24 year career in the Navy with his retirement ceremony scheduled for December 16th.

Randall Cotton is the grandfather to Trinity Nimphius (4th), Taryn Nimphius (3rd) and Brooklyn Nimphius (kinder). He spent 21 years in the Air Force, where he worked closely with NASA and retired as MSGT.

 

 

Kyle Paraskevas' maternal grandfather, Dale Gray, was a United States Marine for several years . Kyle's paternal grandfather, Alexander Paraskevas, attended Texas A&M Corp ROTC and later served in the Korean War as Army First Lt.

 

Ryder Sida's Grandfathers

One Grandpa (Nick Sida) was in the marines and his other grandfather (Russell Nimz) was in the air-force and served in Vietnam. 

 

Zach Crum's Uncle and Aunt

Staff Sergeant Jacob Arnold, 5 deployments

Sergeant Macila Arnold, 1 deployment 

Matt Angelo is the father of Zachary Angelo who is in Miss Rocha's class and Victoria Angelo who is Miss Horan's kindergarten class. He served in the Air Force as a Sr. Airman from April 1996 to April 2000.

Zachary and Victoria's paternal grandfather and paternal uncle. 

Larry Angelo (grandfather) served USAF from April 1968 to June 1972

Brad Angelo (uncle) served USAF

 

Charles Aaron DeLeon grandfather to Zachary (3rd grade) and Victoria Angelo (kinder), served in the US Navy as Petty Officer 1st class from 1965 to 1971.

 

 

 

Gunnar and Colton Jetton's Grandfather: John Jetton
Drafted into the US Army on October 25, 1966 after graduation from college. Started basic training on my 23rd birthday at Ft Polk, La.  My two years of training in the Sunset high school ROTC program put me weeks ahead of the other recruits, as I already knew the commands, how to march, and how to shoot a rifle (2 years on the ROTC rifle team).  I loved basic training, even though it was physically strenuous. I liked the camping outdoors, the rifle range, the bayonet and grenade ranges.  I even enjoyed the hand to hand combat drills as I got to take down guys bigger than me. I was one of two people in my company who made "expert" with the M14 rifle.

My secret clearance as a civilian prevented me from being sent to Vietnam, which I learned after exit from the Army. I had volunteered for overseas duty, and was sent to The Army Missile Command Headquarters in Redstone Arsenal, AL where I was assigned as a mathematician in the computer center (programmer). At the Arsenal, I was selected to be a permanent pall bearer, as I kept my uniform pressed, shoes shined, and brass polished.  This was a weekend honor.  Later, I tried out for the Redstone Arsenal pistol team and quickly advanced to "expert" classification with 3 caliber pistols, 22, 38, and 45. I won the 50 yard slow fire Georgia State championship and the Florida State International championship.

I was honorably discharged in October 1968 with a Commendation medal, a Good Conduct medal, and expert medals for both rifle and pistol.  I achieved the rank of E-4 in 9 months, which was the least amount of time to achieve in the Army. E-4 is a specialist. I made about $189/month when I was discharged, and paid income tax on that.

 

 

Michael Davis related to Emily Davis US Coast Guard reserve and served 4 yrs in US Army Infantry

 

Great Grandfather's of Jak Ketcher
John Ketcher, US Navy WWII Veteran who served aboard the USS New Orleans as an anti-aircraft gunner. 

 

Jerry Oden, US Army Veteran who served in the Korean War. 

 

Braden Rosenbaum's Dad and Grandpa's  

David Rosenbaum

USMC, Retired

Served in 1st Gulf War, Desert Storm

Embassy Guard in China

Steven Constantine

USAF, Retired

Served in Vietnam War

 

Robert Rosenbaum

US Army, Retired (passed away)

Served in WWll

 

Relatives of Mia Moore


A message from Mrs. Moore:

 

Coming from a family with a large military background we understand and appreciate the sacrifices of the brave men and women of our armed forces AND their families. From our family to yours we want to thank each and every Veteran that has fought for our freedom. 

 

Revolutionary War- 11 members, from Royce, Moore, Billingsley, Hancock, and 9 family members from Menzies

Mia's relative Andrew (Menzies ID M522) on Mother's side worked for and DIRECTLY with George Washington AND is mentioned in a surviving letter by name written by Washington.

Mexican American War- William Mings and James Mings who was also a registered Mason. 

 

First Gulf War-2 Keith (changed from Keath) 

 Civil War- 21 members- Royce, Moore, Hancock, Billingsley, Dr. Burne and 2 sons, and 14 others -Mings (changed from Menzies) and seven Keaths

 

War of 1812- Royce

 

WWI- 7 members, Royce, Hancock- (Mia's Great-Great Grandfather)-  JAY HANCOCK, Marine,(Mia's 3xGreat Grandfather) CARLETON

 

Vietnam- 6 members, (All Royce's are Mia's Great Uncles) KEITH ROYCE 2 PURPLE HEARTS, RICHARD ROYCE (DIED FROM AGENT ORANGE), DOUGLAS ROYCE, 2 Moore, (Mia's Great Grandfather) ROLAND BILLINGSLEY, Air force, (Mia's Great-Great Uncle) MIKE BILLINGSLEY, Marine, and his Son SHANE BILLINGLEY, also Marine

 

Korean War- 2 people,  (Mia's Great Grandfather) COY CARLETON, Army- (Mia's Great Grandfather)- J HANCOCK, Army AND Airforce,

Retired- Mia's Grandfather- AIRMAN OF THE YEAR 1977, Military Police- MIKE MOORE, Served AF AND Army

Mia's Uncle Jordan did two tours in Afghanistan in 82nd Airborne 

Current Active Duty Members- (Mia's Uncle) MASON MOORE, Airforce

Mia's Brother- Alexander Moore, Airforce Just finished enlistment and waiting for boot camp

 

 

Caleb Lyons Great Grandfather 

Earl Guillot, Sr.  He was a Sea Bee in WWII. This is a pic of where he was stationed in The Solomon Islands in the South Pacific. 



 

 

Scarlett Barlow's Grandfather

This photo is of Michael Boatwright. He is retired United States Air Force Airman First Class. He was in the 6217th combat support group and strategic air command.

 

 

Allen Say

"BREATHTAKING.......at once a very personal tribute to his grandfather and a distillation of universally shared emotions. The tranquility of the art and the powerfully controlled prose underscore the profundity of Say's themes." - Publishers Weekly starred review

Beginning an author study is an exciting time for everyone. Students begin to question out of curiosity who Allen Say is exactly. What kind of books does he write? Will I like them? What will I take away from them? I can assure you that the quote above is a good indication that students will enjoy his books as all others have done in previous years. They are truly captivating and invite us into the Japanese culture more than we could ever imagine.

We have learned much about Allen Say through research this week. Using Mrs. Phillips Symbaloo QR code, she offers students a technological journey through the facts about Allen Say. Students were to listen to videos and read articles that gave them specific information about Allen. They worked in book clubs to generate questions they had about him and checked to see if they could get an answer. Information was recorded and shared among peers. Here's what Ava had to say about Allen and the things she's learned so far.

In addition to research my students were challenged to use the Depth & Complexity icons to respond to Grandfather's Journey. These icons allow them to think differently and deeply about a text.

Each book club group responded to a different icon. We looked at grandfathers character changes over time, characteristics with details, multiple perspectives (points of view), big ideas (specifically themes of the book), unanswered questions, and ethics. Here's what the Audrey had to say about ethics in Grandfather's Journey!

Mallory took a deeper look at our character and discovered that he was a risk taker. She provided evidence from the text that supported her opinion about grandfather.

Celine was asked to think about a dilemma our character was faced with and realized it was the fact that he had to choose between two places he loved most. She then connected it to real dilemma she has faced before.

 Lexi determined that this text was written from Allen's Point of View, and that if it had been written by grandfather, we would've had more detailed information about what he experienced.

Alyssa closely observed the overall theme of the text and came up with adventure! She also realized there was more than one theme present and was able to pinpoint family with evidence to support that theme!

As we continue to learn about Allen Say through his many stories, we hope to be able to share the culture of Japan with you!