G5 MM - The Week that Was

It's been a hectic week for G5 MMs.

UOI

We have been working on our summative assessment that required us to create a mind map using new technology linked to google: Mindmup.

This is how it worked:

Step One: Choose an item in our everyday life that has no more than 3 materials, but at least 2. Research the materials within it. 


Step Two: Then following the lines of inquiry and the concepts of change, causation and responsibility for each material, create notes on our Cornell Note Taking document.


Step Three: Transfer the information to a draft mind map on paper, making sure to concentrate on setting out neatly and clearly each material with each concept. 

Step Four: Create your mind map using the Mindmup tool.

We will spend time next week reflecting on this unit and placing our thoughts on our blogs.

Language: 

Summaries: This week we have been looking at what a good summary looks like. First, we brainstormed what it is and what it isn't and then came up with  list of key elements. After that we worked in groups to create a piece of work using one of the tri-mind ways of thinking - Analytical, Practical or Creative -  that reflects what a good summary looks like. This next week, we will build on our understanding and use a strategy that makes it easier to remember the elements of a quality summary.

Book Reviews: This week we also studied elements a book review. We discussed each section of a book review and what it entails using our Book Review Checklist. Students will continue to work on this in groups and individually, in order to gather confidence in creating them independently on Bookopolis. 

Twitter:

This week Mr Matt and Ms Marcelle came to talk to us about how to use twitter for educational purposes. We were all very excited about the prospects of using this tool and through Mr Matt understood the ramifications of using it inappropriately. Ms. Marcelle and Ms Melinda will work closely together and with G5 MMs to get this up and running.

Reading Assessment  and Goal Setting chat:

This week was a time to reflect and talk about our goals in all areas of the curriculum. We also took time to assess our reading skills and set some goals for ourselves that we can work on independently. Students were able to discuss aspects of their learning that they thought they needed to work on, as well as where their strengths lie. We then created a small list of goals for the next few months that will be revisited at an appropriate time to assess how we went.

Mathematics 

Our focus for Mathematics has been to assess our mental maths skills, as well as consolidating our skills in answering real life maths problems.  Students were introduced to a Maths Scaffold to help them design steps to answering problems. They worked independently, as well as with peers and teachers when necessary to build their skill and confidence in this area of Mathematics.

Furthermore, having worked to develop their conceptual understanding in regards to rounding and estimation through application to real life situations, as well as writing, interpreting and comparing numerical expressions, students were able to choose one of the tri-mind ways of thinking to present their understanding. This was achieved collaboratively and it was great to see the mathematical conversations that ensued.