Footprint Follow-up and DNA!

As the last class before break, we spent some time reflecting and goal setting for the new year.  I am proud of all this class has accomplished.  I can already see a lot of growth and love watching them apply the language and skills of our Habits of Mind!  

We also did some field study follow up looking at a crime scene as a system and sharing about our highlights and takeaways of the trip.  We mixed in some math by looking at our footprints and using them to predict our height.  Students checked their measurements to see the correlation.

Labeling the parts of the crime scene system.

Measuring our shoe print.

Checking our predictions

Finally we practiced our close reading skills to understand DNA and its use as evidence in court. Students summarized their findings and challenged each other with comprehension questions they had created.

Close reading

CSI Field Study with the Richland County Sheriff's Department

We had a fantastic trip today!  Thank you to the sheriff's department and our wonderful chaperons! (Photo Credits to Mr. Shealy)

Getting ready to load the bus!

Students viewed a presentation by Investigator Bouknight about all things crime scene related and then rotated through three crime solving stations...

Investigator Bouknight speaks to students about crime scene investigation.

Footprints- Detective Carrie assisted each student in making a footwear print. Students made observations and learned about footprints as forensic evidence.  They learned several techniques for finding and lifting prints including using a gel lifter, electricity paired with mylar film, and dental stone for casting.  They also learned about using oblique lighting to find tracks and photographing prints as the most important form of documentation.

Fingerprints- Students heard investigators talk about the three types of fingerprints and how even seemingly similar prints can reveal unique differences.  Students got to be fingerprinted themselves and examined their own print pattern.

Mock Crime Scene- Students documented the scene by sketching the site and evidence.  They also learned to use magnetic powder to dust for prints.

The Parts of Thinking

      Today we continued on with several of the activities from last week.  Students were able to take a closer look at their heart rate data and describe the data set using the measures of central tendency they have learned.  They also finished up part 2 of our Children's Guide to Critical Thinking which focused on the parts of thinking: Purpose, Question, Information, Concept, Assumption, Inference, Point of View, Implications and Conclusions.

     We did our daily brain workout with our morphic thinking.  The kids really enjoyed this song that was our lead in to our boundary breaker sharing.  We also looked at a different type of grid reasoning puzzle and used out Habit of Mind, Persisting, to try out some of those.  We also created some similes as our spontaneous problem.  Students made comparisons of themselves when managing and not managing their impulsivity.  They came up with some cute ones!

• When I manage my impulsivity I am like a graceful gazelle.
• When I don't manage my impulsvity I am like a kitty pouncing on a mouse.
• When I manage my impulsivity I am like a cool steady river.
• When I don't manage my impulsvity I am like a nonstop talking parrot.

     Our CSI focus today was on the close reading of an articles about fingerprints.  Here is what we discovered... 65% of people have a loop fingerprint, 30% have a whorl, and only 5% have a arch.

     Finally, we checked out our new Renzulli replacement.  The company has revamped and renamed the program.  We will now be differentiating with online enrichment using GoQuest.  See everyone next week on our CSI field study!

It Beats Me: Heart Rate Data Project

     We were back to our data investigations this week.  Students are completing a real world project to show what they know about creating line plots and describing a data set in terms of median, mode, and range.  Students are working in partners to use the results to answer our question, "How fast does the heart of a third grader beat after exercise?"  Today we collected data by measuring our heart rates after two minutes of jumping jacks.  

Line Plot Rough Drafts

     Our Habit of Mind focus for today was Gathering Data through all Senses.  Students connected this to crime scene investigation by making observations of evidence.  They learned the terms quaLitative (describe with Language) and quaNtitative (measure with Numbers). They also watched this video and learned the definition of inference and how inferences help explain the observations that we make. 

Inference- an explanation of an observation based on prior knowledge.

An Explanation of an

Observation based on

Prior

Knowledge

      We wrapped up our day with part 2 of our Critical Thinking video series.  We looked at the 5 standards of critical thinking (clear, accurate, fair, relevant, logical) and questions we can ask ourselves to make sure we are meeting each one.  We also did some brain stretching plexers.  Try these for yourself!

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!