Learning about how to elaborate!
We learned how to elaborate our thinking and writing by investigating what we thought we knew about elaboration with the amazing characteristics of rocks. Student groups put the rocks given to them in order from Most Elaborate to Least Elaborate. We noticed that everyone's ideas about elaboration were quite different and we had quite a few heated discussion on those ideas! This activity was loaded with students learning to defend their thinking, standing up for their claims with evidence as well as being able to see someone else's point on a topic or idea. In the process, we also learned that elaborating does not mean just adding details about color or size or style.... etc. It's everything put together. If I'm being elaborate in my writing, I will give the reader details about all those things, not just one.
BOT: Innovative Solution Project
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This year our 4th Graders will be continuing our BOTS program for PVE students.
Background: Last year, Miss Gay and Ms. Hatch's students created a new program at PVE. The main mission was to get to know students in other classrooms and create a sense of unity at PVE across grade levels. Each BOT creator designed a BOT, labeled the BOT as a specific kind of BOT and created a PROFILE SHEET for that BOT so that its story could be told to the finder later. We hid them around the school and if a student found a BOT, they came to meet with the BOT creator to learn about the BOTS special powers, it's personality traits and more. In the process of learning about their BOT, they spend time with the BOT creator and build a connection with them so the next time they see each other around the school, they have something to chat about... THEIR BOT!
Last year's students decided to make this BOTS PROGRAM a special 4th Grade tradition and they have handed the torch over to our 4th Graders this year. Instead of finding BOTS this year, your kiddo becomes a BOT CREATOR and gets to HIDE the BOTS and meet with the finders to help towards our mission!
Background: Last year, Miss Gay and Ms. Hatch's students created a new program at PVE. The main mission was to get to know students in other classrooms and create a sense of unity at PVE across grade levels. Each BOT creator designed a BOT, labeled the BOT as a specific kind of BOT and created a PROFILE SHEET for that BOT so that its story could be told to the finder later. We hid them around the school and if a student found a BOT, they came to meet with the BOT creator to learn about the BOTS special powers, it's personality traits and more. In the process of learning about their BOT, they spend time with the BOT creator and build a connection with them so the next time they see each other around the school, they have something to chat about... THEIR BOT!
Last year's students decided to make this BOTS PROGRAM a special 4th Grade tradition and they have handed the torch over to our 4th Graders this year. Instead of finding BOTS this year, your kiddo becomes a BOT CREATOR and gets to HIDE the BOTS and meet with the finders to help towards our mission!
