Math-CGI

In the past few years our teachers have been fortunate to be trained in the philosophy of teaching math for understanding.  The program we've studied is know as CGI (Cognitively Guided Instruction).  Here is a link that may help provide a better understanding of what the purpose of CGI in the classroom is and how it will benefit our students.
http://www.sedl.org/pubs/sedl-letter/v15n01/5.html

"We did it in one recess!!"

These students were excited to finally finish a complete jigsaw puzzle in one 15 minute recess.  They had been working on different puzzles during inside recess for most of the month of January.  Their hard work and team work finally paid off!

How the Brain Works

I was channel surfing last night and stumbled upon a great episode of Scientific American Frontier about how our brain works.

Watch it at
http://video.iptv.org/video/1390247671

SNOWSHOES!!!

Our class wanted to share their fun time in the snow while using snow shoes today.  Also, they wanted to thank our Buena Vista County naturalist, Katie van der Linden for providing the snow shoes and instructions on how to use them. 

Factors Challege Champions!

This group of students have begun to master their multiplication facts by winning the "Factors Challenge".  They were able to figure out the most factors of the numbers of 24, 36 and 40.  The students were seemed to really enjoy the game and use of the Smartboard while learning about factors and multiples.  But I think the coolest thing was how supportive of each other they were during the competition.  Every time a student finished they're turn the rest of them applauded them for their efforts.

Volunteer speaker

On November 24, the 4th grade classes were able to build on the knowlege of agriculture in the Midwest Region.  A volunteer speaker who works at Nutritech near rural Newell spoke to the classes about raising livestock.  He did a great job of explaining the importance of his job our local economy as well as what students would have to learn if they decided to work in a related business later in their lives. 

Begin the journey

We just learned how to blog at the Storm Lake Elementary.  I'm very excited to see where this process will take me and hopefully my students.