Interrupting Chicken

     This week we spent our time together taking a closer look at several Habits of Mind.  First we read the book Interrupting Chicken by David Ezra Stein and discussed it as a non-example of managing impulsivity, thinking before acting, and using your brain to manage your body.  Students then created their our Interrupting ___________ stories and presented them to the class.  I'll tell you, we have quite the creative crew!

     Our second Habit of Mind focus was on Metacognition.  We used the metaphor of the students having the power to "drive their brains"- put on the brakes to rethink and reflect, put on the gas to be proactive and take initiative in their learning, and in this reflection, make choices that put them on the road to success!  For more on metacognition for children, check out this article.

Metagognition Article

     We also did some brain stretching using deductive reasoning puzzles-my favorite!  Try your hand at these!

Sports Logic Puzzle

Pet Mix-Up Puzzle

Line Plots and Forensic Science

     We packed it in today!  In math we worked on creating line plots with data and using the graph to find the median, mode, and range of the set.  The students are impressing me with their ability to explain their thinking through writing!  We also learned the basics of forensic science and the order of events when a crime scene is processed.  Students learned about Locard's Principal that criminals always take a trace of something with them and leave a trace of something behind at a crime scene. They also learned about collecting that evidence and how it gets from the crime scene to the court room.

Plotting Data

Forensic Science Research

An Eye for Details

     Our time was short today, but we made the most of it!  Students witnessed a theft in our own classroom and used what we learned about composite sketches to make a drawing of the perpetrator. We then looked at some online activities testing their powers of observation and helping them match the suspect with the crime.  Try them for yourself!

Art of Crime Detection

Perp Walk

Face Memory

The Thief

     We also go the treat of listening to author Kevin Kurtz speak to students about salt marsh ecology and how to become a published writer!