GENIUS HOUR!!! (and Snowcation)

Families~

Hope your all staying warm inside these few days!  ***If you snap a picture of your child cuddled up reading a book and email it to me (nbuono@sd308.org), they can earn a ticket when we return on Friday!!!

I thought I'd jump on and share an idea for discussion with your child on their days off (in addition to them going on MobyMax and practicing multiplication facts)! 

GENIUS HOUR!!!

Last week (on Friday) we introduced a "passion project" that I've done for the last few years.  It is NOT a home project!  No, seriously.  However, it may be a good idea to converse with your child and check in every-so-often with how they are progressing.  So what is the Genius Hour?  It's almost indescribable, but I'll do my best.  The purpose is to allow the students to select ANY topic that interests them - but it's more like an "I wonder..." question that launches them into a topic.  It can be ANYTHING that is researchable.  They will then CREATE something (ANYTHING) and present it in front of the class.  I really don't want it to be just a posterboard or powerpoint, although that could work.  Rather, I'd love the kids to build or create something.  In past years, many students have done something electronically and brought in the device to project their final product (how to code, created an app, made their own DIY video).

Once we really start diving in (once some research is done), the students can bring any and all supplies they need to school to work on it.  Anyway, it's just an awesome opportunity to allow students to maximize their creativity and work on something that interests them individually.  Here's a couple videos that explains the project way better than I can :) :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMFQUtHsWhc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COF-bqZuE-I

Feel free to explore online for ideas. Please just start to have that conversation at home to guide your child to finding something that truly captivates them.  There is no due date for this project. Once a student is fully researched, project completed, and ready to present, they can!  Then, they can start their next Genius idea!  Can't wait to see what we create this year!

Looking Forward to 2019

Families~

Everything has been FABULOUS since returning from Winter Break!   We got right back into the groove last week, and hopefully we'll keep operating at a high level. Here's a few updates for the foreseeable future:

1.  We just started our ALL FACTS multiplication tests.  The students need to master all multiplication facts up to 10 x 10 (no 11s or 12s).  Almost every student did master their basic facts, and the kids were happy to learn there are only between 6 to 10 facts left for each to learn.  Please encourage and guide them towards mastery of those final facts.

2.  Keep checking for their tests and student planners!  Keep that line of communication open so they know how much you care about their learning.

3.  Thanks for continuing to encourage the students to read, practice math facts, and log onto the blog!

4.  We just took our Winter round of STAR testing (the standardized tests we looked at during conferences).  The district will send those scores home soon, but if you're very curious, feel free to email me, and I'll let you know.  I've already shared those scores and discussed the outcomes with each individual student during a 1-on-1 mini conference, so they know if they met their goal or not in both Math and Reading.  We'll take those tests again once more in the Spring to see where they stand as they head into 4th grade!

5.  Hope your family had a relaxing break, and here's to the best 2019 we can create!