Moss Teaches

Viewing: Teach Us Something Somehow

Jun 1

June 1, 2017

Thank you, Open House, and TUSS!

First, allow me to thank you for the multitude of treats I received for Teacher Appreciation Day!  You all turned it into Teacher Appreciation WEEK, and Mrs. Rafferty, Miss O, and I greatly appreciated the extra lunch you generously gave us, along with the other unexpected treats throughout the week.  We feel so lucky to have such a terrific class!

Tonight is the spring concert and open house for grade 4.  Students are asked to arrive at 6:30pm.  The concert begins at 7:00 and should run for about 30 minutes.  You’ll have a 10 minute buffer (more or less) to make your way through the art show (remember to pick up clay pieces tonight in the art studio!) before coming upstairs at around 7:40.

Our classroom is being transformed into the Teach Us Something, Somehow Student Research Colloquium!  I’ve LOVED seeing the kids’ presentations this week, and they’re excited to share their work with all the families in class!  While you’re here, be sure to check out your student’s other work that we’re showcasing:

  • Timeline posters (partner-created, self-researched, 100% awesome!)
  • Daffodil dissections (the final activity from our cool new science unit about plants and animals!)
  • Photo Stories (showing us what characters in a situation SAY and what they THINK – The kids worked hard to pull off this sophisticated bit of technology work!)
  • Room designs (hot off the presses!  We’re learning about area and perimeter and had some fun designing new rooms in the process.)

Then, at 8:00pm, families are invited to the cafeteria for a popsicle social!  I look forward to seeing you this evening!

 

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Mar 31

March 31, 2017

Introducing: Teach Us Something, Somehow

Jon speaking at the 2015 CECA/CASL conference about Teach Us Something, Somehow.

Today, we launched our spring research project, Teach Us Something, Somehow.  I developed this project in 2011 as a way of helping students to focus on the process of research and project management, rather than on a specific product.  This project aims to help students to develop problem solving skills, time management abilities, and much more.  This afternoon, students will be bringing home an assignment packet that explains the project, steps involved, and deadlines.  Next week, we will have two family information sessions where you can come, learn more about the project, see sample projects, and ask questions.  We are happy to meet with you Tuesday between 3:45-4:30 and Wednesday between 7:45-8:30.  Both sessions will be in the library.  You can also visit the Teach Us Something, Somehow (TUSS) website at www.mossteaches.us/tuss, where you can download paperwork and read through frequently asked questions (FAQs).

As you’ll read, the project must, in some way, relate to one (or more) of the 50 states.  Some students may choose to take advantage of travel plans during the spring break by taking photos, filming video, or otherwise gathering information for their project while on vacation or while on a day trip somewhere.  In order to facilitate this, students are invited to submit their Idea Proposal Forms next week so that teachers can provide feedback before spring break.  To be absolutely clear: We’re not requiring students to submit their idea proposals early, nor are we requiring or even recommending that students work over spring break.  We’ve adjusted the project schedule in order to accommodate students and families who CHOOSE to do so.
If you have any questions, I encourage you to visit the TUSS website (again, located at http://www.mossteaches.us/tuss/) or attend one of the TUSS family information sessions.  As always, feel free to email me with any questions, as well.

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Jun 11

June 11, 2015

What’s New?

I was speaking with someone yesterday, and we got to talking about our class website.  I realized that it had been quite some time since I posted an update for you!  I apoglize for that oversight.  The end of the year is notoriously busy, and this fell by the wayside.  If you’ll share a few minutes of your time, I’ll bring you up to speed!

TUSS TreeThis week, students finished presenting their TUSS projects!  I was so very impressed by the kids’ work.  This year, there was such a wide variety of research topics, and kids used so many different kinds of methods.  I really admire the thought and care kids put into their projects.  Stay tuned for feedback.

This week, we’re wrapping up our unit about expository writing.  This unit integrated our social studies focus of US regions by allowing students to research and organize information about the economy of a midwestern state.  Students conducted research on the internet and in books, and they organized their information on a graphic organizer called an expository pillar.  In doing so, students learned about thesis statements, how to structure main ideas and supporting details within a five paragraph essay, and how to craft a conclusion.  This organization made the process of drafting the essay very simple!

We’ve recently completed our unit about measurement (focusing more on understanding different units of measurement, as opposed to actually measuring objects with rulers and scales) as well as a mini-unit about geometry.

Stay tuned for more information!

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Apr 23

April 23, 2015

Teach Us Something, Somehow

TUSS TreeI’ve really enjoyed reading the kids’ idea proposal forms for the Teach Us Something, Somehow project!  This is a project that is near and dear to my heart, and seeing the kids’ terrific, creative ideas is wonderful.  I developed the project back in 2011 as a way to motivate students to excel in research.  So often, we prescribe a topic or a method to students, and the outcome might be a lackluster interest in the project.  My logic was that if students have near autonomy to choose a topic and a method of presentation, they can’t help but have a substantial interest in their project.  Hopefully this is the case for your children!  As the project continues, please be in touch with me if you have questions or experience challenges.  I’m happy to help!  Thank you to the families that attended the TUSS parent session on Tuesday!  For more resources throughout the TUSS project, visit the TUSS webpage.

Most of the proposal forms have been approved and will be returned to students tomorrow or Monday.  Kids are welcome to begin working on the project as soon as I’ve approved their proposal, whether it’s been returned to students or not.  This is the fun part, and I hope you enjoy it! 🙂

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