CREATING COMPASSES

 4K learned how compasses work during a CLIC lesson. Mrs. LaRussa showed us a
video that explained how the magnetic poles of the Earth work on compasses. The Earth itself is a really big magnet and the tiny needle of a compass is magnetic so it is attracted to the North Pole.

Each set of partners were given tools and materials to create their own compass. They designed and then tested their creations by floating them in the water to see if they actually pointed north. Each group made very different designs, but had success.

COVER UP!

 Marilyn Burns is an amazing math teacher because she finds ways to help children learn the principles of math while having fun. This game called Cover Up helps children understand key fraction concepts. To play the students roll a die with fractions such as 1/4 or 1/8 on it. Then they use that fraction piece to cover up their whole. The goal is to be the first to cover up your whole, but the pieces must fit exactly. 

This games helps understand the basics of fractions and equivalent fractions.

The students loved being able to play a game during math.They all said it felt like "real" school!

FANTASTIC FLYING MACHINES

The structures of living things are designed by Nature help them survive -- but people are inspired by them too. For example, birds have hollow bones to make their bodies light enough to fly. Their unique wing spans, feathers and tails help them navigate while in flight. So, 4K was inspired to try their hand and creating "birds" using straws, skewers, construction paper and lots of imagination.

Here are some of our creations:

And here are a few test flights. 

PROBLEM SOLVING PUZZLER

 We noodled through this challenge to develop our resilience and problem solving skills.

Here was the challenge: 

Can you make this shape?

It helped us see the importance of trying different things, not giving up, ask questions, try something and embrace the struggle!

FUN WITH FRACTION BURGERS!

 To kick off our unit on fractions, we used some hands-on materials. These Fraction Burgers helped 4K experience some important concepts such as: comparing fractions, equivalent fractions and vocabulary terms all in a very fun way!