So, I'm always telling third graders to challenge themselves. Do what you can do, and then do it better. There's always room to grow as learners. Well, today I had to tell myself to do what I could, and then I did some more. I'm so excited to be bringing lessons learned from some of the best in the United States! How can you challenge yourself today?
I should have known today was going to be special. Check out what I noticed as I left the hotel room this morning. I can't help but keep staring. It's so amazing!
I should have known today was going to be special. Check out what I noticed as I left the hotel room this morning. I can't help but keep staring. It's so amazing!
Today, we did 5 activities that will help us be better math and science teachers. It was good, challenging work. The first one was called Walking Directions. We worked on it some yesterday. We had to chart and graph someone walking down a tape measure at a certain pace. We compared different distances and times. We made charts, compared them, and made predictions. I can make a lot of charts to show data!
We then moved on to Gravity on a Roll where we studied science words like inertia and acceleration. Fancy, huh? Don't worry, you'll be hearing about them soon! We used small race car tracks and marbles. We took data, made graphs, compared our results, and made predictions. This is a picture of me working with my group, and then my group pretending to still be doing our experiment as I took their picture. What good sports!
Our next lesson was on using notebooks in class. Not just ANY notebook, but a notebook where you can share what you are learning or maybe even results from an experiment. I'd like to start some science notebooks this year. Maybe I'll add another one the year after?
Since I am a food lover. You all know that. I had to show you lunch.
Since I am a food lover. You all know that. I had to show you lunch.
I ate quickly so I could have some time in the Liberty Science Center. Take a look at some of the amazing finds I had.
Our next activity was about reminding us how children learn best. We remembered learning something that was non-school related and what was it like. I remembered learning to build forts in with scrap materials at home in the woods when I was a little boy. I was very creative with them. The environment was safe, positive, helpful, allowed to be creative, and made me think. Kind of sounds like a classroom right? EXACTLY!
Our final activity for the day focused on forces and motion! We are doing these in science this year. The teachers even gave us a couple books with great science lessons in them. I really don't know how I'm going to get all of this great stuff they are giving me on the airplane. I'll figure it out.
We used Whackers to hit golf balls and ping pong balls. We studied how fast they moved and tried to make changes in the acceleration (look that word up). We had to be creative, but we all came to the understanding that the more mass (space it takes up and what it's made of) it has, the less acceleration it will have. Here are some group members trying it out!
Our final activity for the day focused on forces and motion! We are doing these in science this year. The teachers even gave us a couple books with great science lessons in them. I really don't know how I'm going to get all of this great stuff they are giving me on the airplane. I'll figure it out.
We used Whackers to hit golf balls and ping pong balls. We studied how fast they moved and tried to make changes in the acceleration (look that word up). We had to be creative, but we all came to the understanding that the more mass (space it takes up and what it's made of) it has, the less acceleration it will have. Here are some group members trying it out!
We then used force and motion and studied balloon rockets! We made comparisons as to how far it moved and in how many seconds. Here are a couple snaps:
After our final activity, I hopped on the light rail and headed back to the hotel. I called up a friend of mine, Jim, who lives in Jersey City. I walked along the Boardwalk and met him, and then we walked through Hoboken and ate some supper. Jim is a nice guy and is fun to talk to because he has a lot of interesting stories to share about living in the area. I walked back to the hotel at about 9:15pm and then ate my most favorite New York City dessert. Do you know what it is? CHEESECAKE… STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKE to be exact!
Tomorrow, we have a shorter day, and I plan on taking a group of friends into Manhattan and showing them around! Guess what? We may even try to meet with Hayley! Yeah! She has rehearsal, but is going to try to see us afterward!
Thanks for reading the blog, third graders! Check back tomorrow!
Oh, I forgot one more thing. Right before I came into the hotel, I took this:
I know. One more skyline picture. Seriously, Mr. Sammons. Ok, that's enough.
But, isn't it cool?
I also watched a fabulous fireworks show. I'm not sure where it was exactly, but it was actually a lot better than these pictures show! Good night!
But, isn't it cool?
I also watched a fabulous fireworks show. I'm not sure where it was exactly, but it was actually a lot better than these pictures show! Good night!