At the start of our week, we had a discussion about what it takes to be successful: successful in big and small ways. I drew an iceberg on the board and discussed how what we see above the water is only about 20% of the whole iceberg, 80% is unseen, underneath the water. We discussed how this is like success and the students brainstormed many of the qualities and actions it takes to achieve success. Being flexible in the journey was an important aspect too. I used the many popular memes to complete our list and wrote those words on the lower part of the iceberg. The image below includes the words the students generated.
Our days have been a bit of a rollercoaster with some technology problems, but the students are getting better at being flexible. We are working to break down the steps to work in and submit their Edgenuity virtual lessons. The students have learned their logins and passwords and they are proficient at logging into each of the applications on their iPads. This week they created file folders to organize their completed work before submission. They are better handling their frustrations as we continue to seek out new work arounds. Mrs. Gensen, the students' Virtual Academy teacher, has been helpful working with us to get all of the students online and moving forward. We appreciate her efforts and input as we figure this all out.
We have several enrichment alternatives we have turned to when we couldn't move forward with our online work. This week the students were introduced to the TOPS (Techniques in Problem Solving) Math decks. It is an individualized math program where the students progress through a series of sequential cards. TOPS allows the students to challenge themselves until they reach a correct answer before moving forward. The students will use these problem solving skills and strategies, singularly or in combination to solve each card.
This week we started a read aloud chapter book, Lulu Walks the Dogs. The kids are enjoying a funny and cantankerous relationship Lulu and Fleischman share. If they are enjoying this story, they may like two others in the series by Judith Viorst.
We have also been learning about the components of creativity:
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| https://www.whsd.net/2/Content2/intedgenuity |
Our mask breaks a such an important opportunity for the students to visit, socialize and get their wiggles out.
- Make an organized list
- Work it backward
- Solve a simpler problem
- Draw a picture or diagram
- Find a pattern
- Make a table
- Use reasoning and deduction
- Guess and check
Flexibility of thought is a key attribute of a successful problem solver! TOPS also builds resilience and tenacity as students learn to view mistakes and incorrect answers as challenges and opportunities to grow and learn new skills.
- Fluency
- Flexibility
- Originality
- Elaboration
Flexibility is something we have needed in almost every lesson we have completed this week. It is definitely a great life skill.
- Flexibility is the ability to change your way of thinking about a problem or situation. It is the ability to think of alternative ideas and to adapt to different situations.
We ended our day exploring our blog for the first time. The students were excited to see we have had visitors and surprised by the many locations in which they live. Receiving comments and questions will allow the students to write their own replies. We are just beginning to learn about digital citizenship, online safety and how to create quality posts and comments. We are looking forward to getting to know some students and friends that live in different parts of the world.
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Hi, HC learning pod! Maddie has really enjoyed the past two weeks with her pod friends, and I love that they're learning about and understanding the concept of flexibility! It's so important these days. We look forward to what's to come.
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