It's been a week full of brain fitness here in the GT classroom! Students had to use creative and critical thinking in order to invent their own toothpick puzzle. They tested their problem on several classmates in order to find out what improvements were needed. After refining their work, students published their problems onto index cards. We decorated our classroom chalkboard with puzzles made by, and for, GT students. The GT cuties have enjoyed taking on these challenges and giving their brains a great workout! Below you can see some examples of these student generated puzzles.
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The G.T. cuties resumed classes this week, and there was much rejoicing in room 211! Students from each grade level eagerly participated in a welcome back activity called Two Truths and a Lie. One of our traditions is to play this game whenever we have been apart for some time. Each person composes two truths and one lie about what they did since we last saw one another. Then, we take turns sharing the three sentences with the group. We guess which sentence was the lie. It is a fun way to find out more about what everyone has been up to and to reconnect as a group. A very important task was completed by each GT student this week. They shared with me at least three suggestions of what they would like to learn about in GT over the rest of the school year. Our next projects will be born from the ideas generated by the students :-) The main portion of our week was dedicated to sharpening our critical thinking skills. To do this we took on a challenge called Toothpicks and Triangles. The goal of the challenge can be found below. Students had to use perseverance, problem solving skills, and risk taking in order to find success on these puzzles. After spending a few days working out our brains the students engaged their creative minds as they were challenged with the task of creating their own toothpick puzzle. We began this phase of learning by examining the puzzles below. They are excellent examples of clearly written puzzles. Then, the students began to invent their own toothpick puzzle. After testing it out on several classmates, the GT cuties will put their puzzle onto our class board. Then, students from all grades can take on a puzzle whenever they choose. We hope to collect lots of puzzles made by kids and for kids! Have fun at home trying these toothpick puzzles - get ready for a brain workout!!!
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This Week in GTEvery Friday Ms. O updates this page. Check here to find out more details about the learning we did in GT class this week! Archives
May 2019
GT Class Schedule
Monday - Thursday 8:00 – 8:40 4th grade 9:00 - 9:40 5th grade 9:45 – 10:15 Kindergarten 10:15 – 10:45 1st grade 11:35 – 12:15 3rd grade 12:15 – 12:55 2nd grade Come & visit us any time! |