Bobbing for Apples with Problem Investigators

Problem Investigators were hard at work in room 302 today.  Their task was to work collaboratively with their team to design and build a device to grab apples out of a tub of water using only the materials that they were given. They relied on their skills of problem solving, perseverance, and patience as they engineered their answers.

We started by defining our problem or purpose:  Design and build an apple-grabbing device using a list of criteria (requirements) and constraints (limitations).

Next, we did some problem solving by researching about sinking, floating, and buoyancy. We read several articles, jotted our new learning, and thought about how we could use our new knowledge to help us with this challenge.

Then, came the planning.  Our junior engineers sketched their designs.

They demonstrated perseverance and patience as they built, tested, redesigned and improved their designs multiple times until their device met the criteria.

A friendly competition was held to see which group's device could grab the most apples in one minute.  Students collected data and created line plots to display the data.

We know ways to play because it helps us learn!

Building Our Devices

Testing Our Designs

A Friendly Competition

Recording Data

Making Line Plots to Display Data

Math Detectives Needed

The math detectives in room 302 are busy solving a mystery. Students are using their math skills to eliminate suspects and crack the case. Say tuned for more updates!

Conferences

Thank you to everyone who attended conferences last night. We hope you found the time valuable and have a good understanding of your student's progress so far this year. We are looking forward to meeting with those of you who have a conference scheduled for tonight, Tuesday, October 24. Please contact Mrs. Wilke if you would still like to schedule a conference.

Grade 5 Math

The 5th graders in room 302 are focusing on multi-digit multiplication. They have learned several different strategies for multiplying multi-digit numbers including area models, partial products, distributive property, and the standard algorithm. The expectation is that all 5th graders are able to fluently multiply multi-digit numbers using the standard algorithm by the end of the unit. Please ask your student to demonstrate using the strategy that they are most comfortable with.

How Were Emojis Created?

Do you know how emojois were created? They were created to solve a problem.  You may be wondering what problem they were created to solve. Check with your student for the answer. Please also ask them to explain how that answer is related to one of our reading lessons.

The Power of the Purple Crayon

We learned some valuable growth mindset lessons from Harold and his purple crayon. Please ask your student to explain how Harold showed grit and perseverance in the book.

Monarchy

We explored monarchies today during inquiry time. We compared and contrasted them to democracies and dictatorships. Please ask your student to share what they have learned about the different forms of government with you.

Another Celebration of Success

Have you heard? Rebecca scored the most points during the week of 10/16 - 10/20 compared to all students at Woodrow Wilson Elementary School using Achieve3000. Rebecca earned 50 bonus points and an achievement. In addition, Rebecca's name was posted to the School Weekly Top Scorer scoreboard.

Picture Re-take Day

Monday is picture re-take day. Please send your student to school on Monday with the completed picture order envelope if they have not yet had their picture taken or the envelope with the pictures inside if they are having their picture retaken.

Conferences

Conferences are being held this week Monday and Tuesday, October 23 and 24th from 4-8PM. All students who have a conference scheduled have already received a confirmation note with the confirmed date and time.  If you have not yet scheduled a conference and would like to, please contact Mrs. Wilke.

Back to the Workbench

Writers went back to the writing workbench with a new writing tool today. They used the "Lead" section of the narrative writing checklist to self-assess their writing and make any needed revisions.

Self-Reflection and Goal Setting

After reviewing the parts of a story arc, room 302 writers got busy self-assessing their current personal narrative. They specifically looked to see if their story follows the story arc with a hook, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. The narrative writing checklist was used as a tool to assist with updating our writing goals.

Today's Reading Achievements

Have you heard? Ray scored the most points during the week of 10/09 - 10/13 compared to all students at Woodrow Wilson Elementary School using Achieve3000. Ray earned 50 bonus points and an achievement. In addition, Ray's name was posted to the School Weekly Top Scorer scoreboard.

AND

Carter scored the most points in a single given day compared to all students at Woodrow Wilson Elementary School using Achieve3000. Carter earned 25 bonus points and an achievement. In addition, Carter's name was posted to the School Daily Top Scorer scoreboard.

Wilson Spirit Week

Wilson’s Student Council encourages you to participate in: 

Wilson Spirit Week 

Oct. 16-20 

Monday: Crazy Sock Day 

Tuesday: Sports Team Day 

Wednesday: Hat Day 

Thursday: Wilson Spirit Wear Day 

Friday: Harvest Dance Costume Day 

Join us Friday night! Enjoy games, special treats, and a costume contest for Friday evening’s PTA Harvest Dance at 6:30!

Another Reading Celebration

Have you heard? Ray scored the most points in a single given day compared to all students at Woodrow Wilson Elementary School using Achieve3000. Ray earned 25 bonus points and an achievement. In addition, Ray's name was posted to the School Daily Top Scorer scoreboard.

What Makes Hurricanes So Dangerous?

The scientists in room 302 can answer that question for you. They are working hard summarizing and synthesizing all of the information they have been learning about hurricanes and are creating iMovies as a way of "going public" with their knowledge. We hope to complete them soon.

Fall Into a Good Book

Looking for a good book to read?  Ask one of the readers in room 302. They are making book recommendations that will be displayed in the hallway outside room 302. Swing by room 302 during conferences and "Fall Into a Good Book!"

Spiders

Today we spent some time learning about spiders with our Book Buddies.

Spirit Week

Wilson’s Student Council encourages you to participate in: 

Wilson Spirit Week 

Oct. 16-20 

Monday: Crazy Sock Day 

Tuesday: Sports Team Day 

Wednesday: Hat Day 

Thursday: Wilson Spirit Wear Day 

Friday: Harvest Dance Costume Day 

Join us Friday night! Enjoy games, special treats, and a costume contest for Friday evening’s PTA Harvest Dance at 6:30!

PTA Events

Grandparents and other "Grands" in your life, start your holiday shopping early at our special GRAND Book Fair event! Join us NEXT SATURDAY for games, snacks, and some special GRAND Book Fair shopping! Saturday, Oct. 21 9-10:30am.

Penny Wars are coming soon! Starting MONDAY, Oct. 16 and running THROUGH the Harvest Dance on Friday bring in your PENNIES and DOLLARS to help your teacher WIN the WAR! OR bring in SILVER CHANGE to count against other teachers! In addition to bragging rights, the winning teacher will earn EXTRA money for books and goodies from this year's Book Fair!

Volunteers Needed:
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080B4CABAD2EA4F85-book

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080b4cabad2ea4f85-harvest

Celebration and Success

Have you heard? Ele scored the most points during the week of 10/02 - 10/06 compared to all students at Woodrow Wilson Elementary School using Achieve3000. She earned 50 bonus points and an achievement. In addition, her name was posted to the School Weekly Top Scorer scoreboard.

Vocabulary Word Boxes

Mathematicians were busy demonstrating their understanding of math vocabulary by completing word boxes today. Word boxes help learners think about new terms or concepts in several ways by asking the following questions:
•What does it mean?
•How can it be used in a sentence?
•How can you show the word with a visual representation? (example)
•What is a non-example of the word?

Students chose one of the following words to use to complete their word box based on the concepts they are learning in their strategy groups:
line plot, factor, product, prime number, composite number

Please ask your mathematician to explain one of those words to you.