Coding with Dash

The students were given time today to code with Dash.  Dash is a robot that can move and make sounds through coding on an iPad.  Today I challenged the students.  Their challenge was to make Dash move around three plastic cups.  Overall they were pretty successful in using Dash for the first time.
 Tomorrow, Thursday, December 8th there is a special coding program taking place at South High School from 4 - 5:30.  This program is for all students of various ages to attend with their parents.  During this time the students and parents will work on coding activities.  They are asking each student to bring his/her own chromebook, iPad, etc. if possible.  If you do not have a mobile device you can still attend this event.  They will be raffling of robots, coding devices, etc.   This is a free event.  

Checker Math

I thought I would share some math problems that the students in our class are asked to solve.  Students are able to solve these problems on their own or with partners.  The students are given time most days to share their mathematical thinking with their friends.  In solving these math problems the students learned once again that there is more than one way to solve a math problem.  It's always fun to listen to the students discussing a math problem together.  The problems below were solved by Deagin.

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1. Write a repeated addition number sentence to find the total number of small squares on this checker board.     64 small squares

2. Write a multiplication number sentence for this checker board and find its product.  64 small squares

3. How many red squares are there on this checker board?  Explain your thinking.    32 red squares

4. If  three rows of squares are taken away from this board, how many squares would there be in left?            40 small squares    

5. If four columns of squares were added to this checker board, how many squares would there be in all?     96 small squares

6. If this game board was divided into four equal sections, how many squares would there be in each section?                          16 in each spot
7. In a game of checkers each person starts with 12 checkers.  In the middle of their game Blake has 7 checkers left and Brynn has 4 checkers left.  How many total checkers have been removed from the board so far?                           13 squares left

Learning with Legos

The students continue to work with Mrs. Greger's class on building with legos.  Right now most groups are learning about earthquakes and how engineers are designing buildings so they can withstand these terrible natural disasters.  Each group is trying to build the largest structure possible that can withstand a magnitude 8 earthquake using their lego earthquake shakers.  It's fun to watch all the problem solving and creativity taking place on this task.  I put a copy of the document the students are being asked to complete below.

What other factors make structures earthquake resistant?

1. Answer these questions by watching the videos that goes  along with it.  What cause earthquakes, and what are the hazards (problems) they create?  How do scientists rate the strength of an earthquake?  What factors can influence the resistance of buildings during an earthquake?

Plate Tectonics

Earthquakes and Plates

Earthquakes

Earthquake Resistant

Earthquake Resistant 2

2.  Start building.

3.  

Building	Magnitude

Build the highest possible structure to withstand an earthquake with a magnitude of 8.  Measure the height of your structure and list it here.  Explain how you built it and how you made it earthquake resistant.

Try one more time to build a building that is even stronger.  If successful, explain what you changed?

Finally, write a paragraph explaining what your group learned about earthquakes and designing buildings to withstand them.

Point of View Writing

Our class is working on point of view writing.  Last week the students were asked to share their point of view on Gum Alley.  Gum Alley is a place in California that has been decorated with chewed gum.  I placed a link below so you can learn more about this place if you would like too.  After each student wrote their paragraph they then shared their stories in groups of 3 or 4.  Each group decided on one paragraph that they felt was written with the most persuasion.  Those students had to read their stories in front of the class.  I shared their paragraphs below.

Gum Alley

Gum Alley is  nice.  I think they should keep it up, because if they did not have that place then people might walk and just spit it out on the street.  That’s bad, because when it rains the gum might wash out and go to the ocean.  That will not take care of the water, because we only have a little bit of fresh water on the whole earth. Also the rest is just salt water.  Also it’s creative that people go to it to look and put gum on the wall and some people write with the gum.That’s why it should stay up. Written by Claire

They should keep the wall. It looks cool and it is history. Some people like history.  They like to read about history and they can look at history. Who doesn't like gum?  It is soft, stretchy, sticky and messy. Who doesn't like those things?  Who cares if a three year old plops one in his mouth? It would be funny. THEY SHOULD KEEP THE WALL UP.

Written by Blake

They should keep Gum Alley. they have been doing it for so long and I think it is so cool to be doing this. I also think it is so cool because of how big it is .  I think it is very neat because of how much gum is on there. I also like it because it is not just one or two pieces of gum it is a wall full of gum.  it is very cool of how much gum is on the wall. I also like it because there is like pounds of gum on that wall. I also like it because it is like a piece of art. And I like how big it is and it is cool to me . that is why they should never ever take it down! Written by Brianna

         I think gum alley is awesome . I think that it is very colorful and cool . I think that the gum alley should stay because some people don’t know that people are making art on the brick walls . The art shouldn’t be wrecked because some people think that it is extremely cool and if you wreck people's art that could hurt their feelings. I think that everyone should keep adding more and more gum to the walls. I think that the gum alley is creative. Its cooler than any other wall, because  the rest of the walls are plain and ugly to me. I think there should be a gum alley in every state and city.

Written by Sophia

I think gum alley should not be taken down.  I think it is cool, because it is like a rainbow of gum.  What if someone has gum in their mouth? They will have to spit it on the sidewalk.  You can stick a box in the middle and go on the box so you can go on top of the alley.  I think it is like art.  It is like history.  That is why we should keep gum alley.

Written by Deagin