Kinder Update: A Running Start into Problem Solving and Logic

Although we've only had a couple meetings so far, you can't say our Kinder students haven't already hit the ground running in some important thinking skills.

First, we've been introduced to a thinking system developed by Dr. Edward De Bono called "The Six Thinking Hats." It is a system used in schools and in the corporate world for approaching problems. Each of the six hats has a color and represents a different lens through which to view the problem. We started at the knowledge level--just understanding each of the hats--but are now beginning to apply the hats ourselves.


Second, we've been introduced to an entertaining but deceivingly difficult logic game called SET. It incorporates visual reasoning through the use of attributes. I could try to explain it myself, but the web site of the manufacturer does a pretty good job. If you go to the "Set Daily Puzzle" section and click on the man with the hat, he'll walk you through a tutorial: www.setgame.com/set/daily_puzzle

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Fifth Grade Update: The Rise of Civilizations

Bit by bit throughout the year we've been inventing and developing our own civilizations by taking inspiration from real civilizations throughout history, both real and fictional. 

Most recently we've added two new attributes to our civilizations and both gave the opportunity to also practice our creative thinking skills of FFOE and SCAMPER.

Constellations

After studying constellations and their associated myths and legends from various cultures, students designed their own and then wrote a myth to accompany it. The myth needed to somehow form a piece of the mythology of their civilization and reflect something about their civilization's geography, resources, beliefs, etc.

Fruits

Every classic civilization has it's staple food crop. After watching a clip from the intriguing documentary The Fruit Hunters, we decided to make our staples fruits. We got inspiration from the adaptations of real life rare and exotic fruits and created our own. To call our fruits "exotic" would be a huge understatement!

Next up is the culmination of our civilization project in the form of a dynamic, reader-interactive story using the online site http://www.inklestudios.com/inklewriter/. Watch for those stories to be posted before the end of the year.

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Fourth Grade Update: Setting the Gold Standard

Our study of the novel The Wright Three has sent us on many wonderful tangents this year, but none have been as mathematically mysterious as the Golden Ratio. Used and observed by architects, artists and philosophers throughout history, the Golden Ratio is a number that seems to reflect the universe's natural desire to make things beautiful, or so many believe.


The ancient Greeks believed that humans who exhibited the golden ratio were naturally more beautiful and attractive. We decided to put ourselves to the test--could we be ancient Greek supermodels? First, we practiced measuring and calculating on a scale drawing of a real Greek sculpture that was designed with the golden ratio. Then, with the help of partners, we measured the dimensions of our own facial features and made several calculations. Let's just say there are few potential Ancient Greek Idols in our midst!

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Third Grade Update: A Cameras Handspring!

By the way, "A Cameras Handspring" is an anagram for "Ciphers and Anagrams!" That will make sense in a minute. :)

Benjamin Franklin's life of unending fascination and intrigue continues to be the launchpad for us to explore many exciting topics. This semester that topic has been ciphers. Franklin himself used ciphers during the Revolutionary War in his work as a spy.

First, we understood that there are two basic TYPES of ciphers: 1) Substitution ciphers, in which the letters of the message are replaced by other letters or symbols and, 2) Transposition ciphers, in which the letters aren't changed, but simply rearranged.

For substitution ciphers we started with the most classic of ciphers, the Caesar cipher, and also learned and used the pigpgen cipher. Students made their own cipher wheels to encipher and decipher messages.

To study and practice transposition ciphers we had a LOT of fun with anagrams. We got inspiration from the book Elvis Lives, a book of funny anagrams like "ASTRONOMER = MOONSTARER" and "SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA = HOT SUN, OR LIFE IN A CAR." Pretty amazing, huh?

We got out the letter tiles and students came up with their own hilarious zingers, such as:

"I'M HYSTERICALLY LAUGHING" = "TYLA HAS MY CHIN, GRILL GLEN!" BY TYLA

"ADRIAN IS NOT A CIPHER" = "TARI CAN RAID IPHONES" ADRIAN

"CONSTIPATED" = "COST TED PAIN!" BY ZOIE W. AND MYKAL

"I'M CRAZY VIKING" = "ANY CIG, MR. KIVIZ?" BY KIERAN

"NITISH AND YOSI" = "SIT IN A DISNY" BY NITISH AND YOSI

"MINECRAFT" = "RUN MATEY!" BY COREY 

"RAT OR COB" = "CAR ROBOT" BY RHEA

"INSPECT, OR..." = "INSPECTOR" BY BALA

"WET GOATS HAVE..." = "WE HAVE TOGAS!" BY SHREEYA

"BAD DAY" = "BAY DAD" BY SUMEDHA

"SHE SAT ON BEES!" = "NO BEETS, ASHES" BY OLIVIA

"ROB, IN HERE!" = "HEROBRINE" BY STEVEN

"RAISINS" = "RAIN, SIS!" BY RHEA

"FORWARD" = "FAR WORD" BY APOORVA

"POINTS" = "IN POTS" BY BALA

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