Tuesday February 11

True or False Tuesday opened the day. Proof was needed to see if the equations were correct or not. Weather data collection for the major cities was also gathered. Then the class went to music. We started working in our math journals when we returned. We brainstormed what we thought was needed to show and express our understanding of area and perimeter as a class, then it was a very guided activity as to how to set up our pages and show what was needed to express understanding. We did't get finished today, so this journaling will continue tomorrow. We worked on this until gym and then watched a short video (The Nature of Things) about how snowflakes are formed in nature. We learned that all snowflakes almost always have 6 branches that come from the center and that there are no two snowflakes alike. They can be very similar looking, but there are too many variables in the process to be able to duplicate perfectly. We also learned that snowflakes are not perfectly symmetrical. They are very close, but not perfect.

 In the afternoon we worked in our literacy circle groups and continued reading the books and working on the role needed. The goal was to complete at least one role completely in one session. Then at the end of the day the class began practicing making snowflakes that will be used in math activities coming up. Students were able to look at different types of snowflakes on the computer, they were shown and given the exemplars of what their snowflakes could look like. Students practiced in their visual journals and will eventually have to draw 4 snowflakes in total. Two flakes will have six branches. One with ten little fingers or ticks on them and another with five fingers. The other two flakes need to have ten branches. One with ten fingers or ticks on each branch and the other flake can have their choice of fingers on each flake. The trick is that each branch on a snowflake needs to have the same pattern and design as the other branches on the same flake. It needs to look symmetrical and not uneven. 

 Reminders:
- tomorrow is the last school day this week...no school Thursday or Friday or Monday....so a really long weekend for students
- special snack is tomorrow for those who ordered
- if your child wishes to bring in anything for V-day, please include enough for all 22 students, the class is split pretty evenly at 10 boys, 12 girls

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