Our Really Engaging Oreo (OREO) Math

At the end of a data unit, when we needed some data to practice mean, median, mode and range, I remembered the O.R.E.O. project found here.  Instead of going online with the project this year, my class simply stacked off against one another in what we would call Our Really Engaging Oreo (OREO) math moments!

First, we collected information for how we eat OREOs.  This data shows that on this particular day, 8 students choose to bite the cookie whole which is double the number of twist and lick the creme kids and also double the twist and eat the cookie first kids.  Six kids would dunk it in milk first and then eat the cookie.  You can see that we calculated the total cookie eaters, the mean, median, mode and range of the data.

Next, we participated in a little stacking fun!  The rules stipulate that, once a cookie has been placed, it can no longer be touched.  A package of original OREOs contains 27 cookies (in Canada).  We emptied the cookies from the package to make it easier to grab a cookie and stack.

Each student had two chances to stack the largest stack.  All of the students recorded both of their stacks and circled their best score.

The moment of disappointment always seemed to come...

The students' record stacks were posted on the board and as a class we talked through the range, mean, median and mode.

Later in the week, I decided to up the OREO game a bit so I broke out the OREO Double Stuf for a "Lick Off"!   Double the creme = longer licking times.  

Students were challenged to lick the creme from the cookie using only their tongue (like licking ice cream).  No teeth scraping...no tongue dragging.  Both parts of the cookie needed to be clean of creme.  And we timed it!

You can see the online timer that we used here.

In their table groups, students worked to calculate the range of their times.  Here, one of the students explains why some conversion needs to happen from minutes to seconds.

Try this OREO math with your class!  Guaranteed to be off-the-charts in terms of engagement while packing in some data practice and conversion.  Let us know how it went in the comments!

~MissBrooks

Turkey Tweets

We enjoyed some Thanksgiving fun in Writer's Workshop last week.  After discussing some of the features of Twitter, students were challenged to take on the role of a turkey and write a tweet.

Features of Twitter:

• profile picture
• #hastags
• 140 character maximum
• catchy @name

Using a Google Slides  template (thanks Jim Covais at Covais Tech), the kids set to work, creatively constructing attractive Twitter pages. Below are some favourites from the class...

Even changed the #hashtag colour!  @Butterball?  Good one!

Look at the fall background and use of an innocent turkey profile pic!

Influenced by the shenanigans of the USA presidential race?

And finally, I hope you enjoy the puns in this tweet and how this Gr 6 student was able to make connections from the news.  

Yes...that is the flag of TURKEY!

I was thankful that many students embraced the challenge.  As a reader, I gobbled up the humour.  This is the stuff that makes teaching a treat.

~MissBrooks

Week of Inspirational Math

Group Work Pro & Cons (Day 1)

This week, we participated in Jo Boaler's Week of Inspirational Math.  This may have been the Single. Best. Adventure. in Math learning.  EVER!  And we get to try the second version later this year!

Jo Boaler is Professor of Mathematics Education at the Stanford Graduate School of Education.  YouCubed, the site where I found Week of Inspirational Math, declares,  "Teachers will be able to enjoy energetic, joyful classrooms, and opportunities to appreciate the thinking of and to learn from every student in the class." The lessons did not disappoint this grade 6 teacher or her students.

Dot card and how different students grouped the dots to determine the number (Day 3)

The first day allowed the kids to play around with operations in the Four 4s challenge.  Using addition, subtraction, division and multiplication, brackets and fractions and four 4s, students were asked to arrive at sums from 1 to 20.  One example for 16 was 4+4+4+4 while 4/4 +4+4 results in 9.  The site boasted that, in their tests, students were excited enough to bring this task home to finish or challenge family.  Not sure if anyone in my own class tried that but some students continued during the lunch hour!  

Day 2 was visualizing using dots.  Each child was given a handout with numbers represented as dots grouped in particular ways.  Students enjoyed looking for the pictures that the numbers created and their relationship with other numbers.  A painless introduction to prime numbers, factors and multiples. 

Day 3 gave students the chance to try their hand at paper folding.  Origami meets Math!  A big lesson was to persevere even when a problem is challenging.  The kids practiced area, fractions, triangles and squares. Add a hint of drama when one partner is asked to convince the other (who plays the role of the skeptic) of their creation's accuracy.  Fun stuff!

Create a square that is half the area of the original square.

Day 4 was a study in patterns in Pascal's Triangle.  Students may have doubted the entertainment that this famous triangle could provide in the 21st century when Pascal played with it in the 1600s.  They're chucking their technology for the latest advancement seconds after its debut.  They were so delighted by their findings that we have to extend our math play with Pascal to Day 5.  Guess we can call this Day 4.5?

Day 4 sees the acceptance of a calculator as a tool rather than cheating

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of participation in Week of Inspirational Math was that every child found an entry point into each activity (low floor, high ceiling) and they were engaged and ENJOYING math.  Isn't that every teacher's wish?

~MissBrooks

ROCKin' a New Year

Temperatures reaching 104 F (with humidex) can only mean that school's out for summer! we're back to school.  Thank goodness (and by that, I mean past PAC groups) for A/C this week!

BUY THIS BOOK!
Seriously...you and your classes will treasure the message and artistry.

Isn't this cover a beauty?  Fish swim in a SCHOOL.  Kids go to SCHOOL.  September is back to SCHOOL.  PUHLEEZE!  Choosing Linda Kranz's "Only One You" is a no brainer, people!

This is a story that celebrates the uniqueness of everyone and encourages the reader to take time for ourselves, our families and others, to make a difference, and to embrace your YOU-niqueness.  Such an inspirational message.  

You can visit Linda Kranz's website for more information and
ideas on how schools have embraced this book.

I read the book aloud on Tuesday (the first day of school).  My kiddies are sixth graders but I asked them to come to the carpet to better hear and view the story.  I read.  We talked about some of the messages.  And that was that.  Or so they thought!

On Friday, I explained that we would make time for visual arts and that on this day, we would be painting rocks in the style of Linda Kranz's fish from "Only One You".   Material Managers from each table retrieved a paper towel, mini paint brush and side of white acrylic paint for their tablemates.  Each child then chose a rock* they wished to paint.  

*These are beach stones that are part of my backyard landscaping.  Think it will be noticeable if 30+ are missing?

WARNING:  It looks like ranch dressing....it is NOT!

Now, we SHOULD have washed them first, which means we didn't!  Did I mention that we have had more rain in the last 20 days than all summer?  I declared they would be clean (in my own mind). 

Anyway, on to applying a white base.  We did this before lunch so that, despite the humidity, we hoped they would dry.

We tossed the paint cups and brushes into the trash.  I realize this is NOT eco-friendly, nor is it pocketbook friendly but sometimes, for the sake of my sanity and because of the dollar store, I do what I have to do.

After lunch, we studied the cover of the book and the kiddies noted:

1. All fish were different (brilliant!)
2. Almost all had a heart-shaped mouth (except one was smiling)
3. Not all had a fin
4. The fish's face was approximately 1/3 of the rock and only included an eye and mouth
5. Lines and colours of all varieties were used

These observations became the lesson's expectations.

Using a piece of paper and pencil, students sketched their fish but I think you could forego this step.  When they were satisfied, they used Sharpies and other permanent markers to design their fish.  

BEFORE

Jesse's AFTER is the one with the teal face

The end results were as unique as the artists!  These have been placed on our prayer table and only need to be varnished (clear nail polish?) before the kiddies will bring them home.

How did your new school year begin?

~MissBrooks

A Meaty Sandwich Kind of Week

Bill's "chill zone" during his stay in 6B

While Monday and Thursday were regular ol' school days with the normal schedule and no unexpectedness (the bread of the week...the top and bottom buns), the middle of the week was chock full of "meaty-end-of-the-year-goodness"!  

WECDSB B-Division Track Meet at U of W

Bill found his way to the track and tried the curve at 200m

On Tuesday, just over 40 students represented St Bernard at this year's track and field meet, participating in long jump, ball throw, relays and 100 m - 1500 m races.  These athletes were treated to a slightly overcast day with temps around 16-18 C.  Perfect weather for the track.  Lots of practice paid off for many as they collected ribbons that included some 1st places!  Shout out to Zach for placing first in Gr 6 Boys Long Jump and Evan for his second in Gr 6 Boys Ball Throw.

Border Securities:  Grade 6 Edition

Living in a border city affords us the opportunity of living in the best country (Canada--I'm biased) while enjoying the perks of another (USA).  From our side of the border, if walking along the riverfront, you can see Comerica Park lit up for a night game for the Tigers (MLB) or people ascending the stairs into Joe Louis Arena for a Red Wing game (NHL).

On Wednesday, we cashed in on our proximity to Detroit and took a field trip to Ford Field and Comerica Park for the Gr 6 Year End Field Trip. 

Oh!  Did I mention that we smuggled Bill along for the trip? 

Colton poses with Bill, Jackson and Justin outside of Ford Field

Bill rests atop a Lincoln Navigator seat found in the suites.  Sweet!

Looking down on the field (being covered for a Beyonce concert)

Macenzie, Bill and Aaliyah hang out in the Lion's locker room

Bill on the 20 yard line!

After our tour of Ford Field, we headed to Comerica Park for 1:10 to take in the Detroit Tigers vs Toronto Blue Jays baseball game.  Many of us headed directly to the concession stands for our hotdog lunch and many didn't stop eating throughout the afternoon.  Frozen lemonade, cotton candy, Little Caesar's Pizza, Peanuts, Popcorn, Slushies, Elephant Ears ... where does it end?

Bill sporting a Tigers shirt

Under "Pepsi Porch" in the bleachers 

Canadian team wins 7-2

Luckily, the kids took the bathroom break when it was suggested at the end of the game as the 16 km bus ride took 3+ hours on the way home!  I consider myself a seasoned border hopper and I have never seen traffic like I did on Wednesday night.   The plus?  We took the tunnel over to Detroit and the Ambassador Bridge home.  A pretty cool experience for Bill and the kids who had never traveled one or either of the border crossings.

Every student returned for Friday (except one who had an appointment).  By lunch time, we were more refreshed and alert!

Only 13 school days until summer!

~MissBrooks

Perseverance, Planes and a Platypus

Day 1 of EQAO testing

Day 6 of EQAO testing--same diligence!

EQAO is finished and we survived!

And maybe, we came away from the EQAO testing a bit more prepared for the way high school exams will be administered, a bit more proud of ourselves for plugging away for 6 half days and a whole lot more confident in what we've learned this year and throughout all of our elementary schooling.

Day 5 snack:  ORANGE you glad there's only 1 SMORE day of EQAO?  #BEAR with it!  #Still Going Strong

No matter the results, I was impressed by the integrity of the kids to stick-with-it and show what they know, without letting up or getting lazy.  They appeared to consider answers instead of simply guess just to get it over with.  The kids seemed confident and calm and definitely looked forward to the snacks!

Paper Airplane Competition got underway Wednesday through Friday

Flight Unit Takes Off

A paper plane competition allowed the Gr 6s to design, build and test a flying device while learning about the four forces of flight--drag, thrust, lift, gravity (weight).

I modified the competition from a version I found here.  It consisted of 4 separate events--Middle Man (land in the middle of a path), Target Practice (hit a pylon from a specified distance), Hang Time (stay in the air the longest) and Go the Distance (furthest flying). 

Target Practice

Students worked in partners or groups of three and were allowed only the following materials for their fleet:

• one standard paper clip per plane
• 2 staples per plane
• 15 cm of tape
• up to 4 pieces of 8.5 x 11 copy paper (which we pulled from our G.O.O.S.e bin.  #always eco!)

Cutting the paper and using more or less than one piece per plane was permitted so long as the fleet did not exceed 4 airplanes or 4 sheets of paper.

You can watch the competition on our YouTube Channel.

Bill Platypus from Australia will enjoy a "homestay" in our class for a week.  We're glad he brought a passport since he's coming with us to Comerica Park for a Tigers vs Blue Jays baseball game!

G'Day 6B:  You've Got Company

A while back, in the cold, dark days of winter, I came across a post on Google+ from a teacher in Australia who was looking to have some stuffies travel to different countries as ambassadors of her classroom.  I thought this would be an interesting opportunity for our class to consider what makes Windsor, ON Canada and our classroom interesting.  This way, we could ensure that our Aussie visitor would learn oodles about us and enjoy his stay.

He's watched different math board games being played, seen part of the plane competition and hung out with the kids during recess.  Follow us on Twitter for updated photos and tweets of Bill's visit!

With only 17 days left before summer, how will you choose to enjoy the last days with your kiddies?

~MissBrooks

Spaced Out 2: Astronaut Food Taste Test