Week of Feb 6

 2nd graders are all working on learning polygons. All the classes are stitching their shapes using pipe cleaners through plastic canvas. When all filled in they make quite a fuzzy carpet-like surface.

 The shapes begin by stitching each line segment side, then filling in the shape. This project is revealing a range of fine motor skills among students, which tells me this creative skill is on the edge of a development level. Some students are really enjoying it- but some are learning how to work through a challenge.

 3rd graders are moving from our coin color collage and making change project into one final money-counting focused project.

After a compare/contrast exercise between a Roman Abacus made of metal and an Incan Quipu made of string (both ancient counting tools/calculators) students made their own abacus of wood and beads.

 We began by taping bamboo skewers onto a popsicle stick, then counting out a specific number of each color bead to represent coin values to slide onto each stick.

 Once the beads were added and the op edge of the frame was attached the kids worked on moving the beads around to show specific values. Next week we'll do a little more practice and then complete our abaci by adding papier mache onto the frame pieces to strengthen them and add color. While this is a more "make and take" style project, the kids are seeing how tools can be handmade, just like humans throughout history have made useful things. It was great to see them using the abacus for counting, and finding it so easy.

 4th graders have continued the lego printing fraction project. Ms. McGinley's class got to print. The other classes started coloring in their circles and squares.  

 They had to count up their total circles, and if possible determine what the 1/3 and 2/3 equivalent fractions would be. Then they counted up their rectangles and determined a 1/2 and 1/2 equivalent would be. They then used 4 different colors to fill in the circles and rectangles to represent the 1/3 and 1/2 color relationships.

 The interesting visual aspect was that 1/2 or 1/3 the number of shapes was not necessarily 1/2 or 1/3 the SPACE because of the different sizes of shapes.

 Thanks to Mr. Willis for taking some photos and sending them to me!

 In 5th grade, Ms Albert's class got most of their sculptures stuffed and are ready to move on o the final stage of embellishment.

 Getting to stuff the forms is an exciting step, as the forms suddenly spring into 3 dimensions.

 Many students chose to transform their sculptures into animals. (Thanks for sending some photos Ms Albert!) Here's a raccoon:

 And a chicken:

Ms. Gelfand and Ms McAffrey's class has completed their projects and had time for reflection on the forms they had used, why geometry is important for artists and sculptors, and what part of the project they enjoyed or disliked. Some students who had completed their work early were able to create some wonderful stop-motion animation videos, which I'll post later. I was especially impressed with their collaborative effort to create narrative and direct when left to their own devices. There was great disappointment when the battery power on the camera ran out! I'll see if Ms Albert's class will be able to contribute before I complete editing it to post here.