Students in 2nd grade ELA groups have been analyzing different versions of their chosen folk or fairy tale for setting details. Students have been reading independently and noting information about setting on a variety of graphic organizers. Several students have moved on to identifying text evidence to support the setting details they noted. We have been using text evidence sentence starters such as:

• The author states...
• On page 24, the text says...
• According to the text...
• I know this because...

Students are moving into creating their own visuals (sketches) based on the setting details they have identified. These sketches will eventually become the inspiration for their theatrical set designs. Students cannot wait to get to the building stage, they have some great ideas brewing!

2nd grade math AL students have been exploring different multiplication strategies. We have practiced creating and utilizing arrays, drawing a picture, skip counting, and repeated addition. We have discussed how as we advance to multiplying larger numbers, these strategies may not be as efficient or effective. This week we began working with the area model for multiplying 2 digit by 1 digit numbers. We solved a variety of equations as a group then students practiced using IXL, 3rd grade, assignment T.5.

Students continue to develop their board game ideas, and are at different stages of the process. We are working on developing rules, set up, pieces/materials, objective, and board design. Some students have begun writing the problems that players will answer to advance in the game. Students have the option to use Google Docs to make their cards, and have been excited about exploring this platform. I've enjoyed seeing game ideas develop and can't wait to see our final products!

3rd Grade reading groups have selected their independent book, identified their focus character, and are moving on to analyzing the text for characterization. Students will eventually be designing a business that their focus character would be successful in developing based on traits, personality, and conflict resolution. Students have been using graphic organizers to record traits, text evidence, and infer which skills that character may have based on their traits and experiences. Some students have already began ideating on business ideas. Our next steps will include a business brainstorm, business web, business plan, logo design, and website design (Google Sites).

3rd Grade math students have been utilizing the area model for multiplication and are delving into more challenging problems. We have explored 2x1 digit with the area model as well as 2x2 digit multiplication with the area model. Students have collaborated as a group to work through these equations as well as taken part in independent practice using IXL, 3rd Grade T.5 and 4th Grade I.7.

Our game designs are well under way. Most students have outlined their rules, game objective, board layout and materials. Several groups had the opportunity to use the T.A.G. (Tell something you like, Ask a questions, Give a suggestion) feedback protocol with a partner to guide in their game revisions. Groups that participated in this protocol discussed the importance of giving and receiving effective feedback. We agreed that critique needs to be specific and respectful. Students did a great job during the activity. It can be challenging to receive feedback and utilize that in the revision process, we will continue working on this throughout the school year.

4th Grade reading groups have been enthralled with the eerie images in Chris Van Allsburg's book, The Mysteries of Harris Burdick. Most students have looked through each illustration, generated questions to guide our writing, generated 5 story ideas for their chosen illustration, and begun planning out their writing. Students are using story element and story arc templates to map out the pieces of their story. Our next steps include completing our outlines, creating story arc posters, participating in a gallery walk feedback protocol, then starting our first drafts. I look forward to seeing the creativity and skills of our young authors develop.

Students participating in the Coordinate Grid playground design unit have been busy! We are feeling comfortable navigating and plotting points on the 4-quadrant coordinate grid. Students have mastered the vocabulary and terms related to the grid (x-axis, y-axis, origin, ordered pairs, etc). To practice these skills independently students used the IXL assignment, 6th Grade R.3 "Graphing points on a coordinate plane". Students at Lincoln (so far) also utilized a 4 quadrant coordinate grid to take part in a game of battleship. This was a great way to practice plotting and navigating on the grid!

This week we started to explore adding and subtracting integers. We used a vertical number line and elevator model to grasp these concepts. In a +/- equation, the first number is where we start, the operator symbol tells us to go up or down, and the second number tells us how many spaces. Where we end up is our answer. Students did a great job with this and fully grasped the concept and model. We also moved into how to solve an equation with consecutive operators (3 + -2). We discussed that if the consecutive signs are the same, we change them to an addition symbol, if the signs are different we change to subtraction. From there we can use the elevator concept to navigate the number line and the equation. To practice this skill, we used the IXL Assignment 6th Grade P.3.

For project work, students began mapping out their playground design rough drafts. They received a printout with a birds eye image of school grounds layered with a 4 quadrant coordinate grid. The task was to determine where each of their playground features would fit, map out the footprint using a polygon, then record the ordered pair for each vertex of each feature.

Next steps will be creating final drafts of their map grid, designing at least one 3-D Digital model in Tinker CAD, and 3-D printing that piece.

Students have been busy learning about what podcasts are and listening to different examples. Many students had ideas for their podcast topics immediately when the project was announced while others were unsure of what direction they wanted to go in. Groups at each school participated in an ideation protocol called "50 Things". Essentially the goal is to develop as many ideas as possible in 5 minutes. All participants write down ideas and say them aloud as they record. The goal is to piggy back off of ideas as you hear them, to generate more creative thinking. Students were in awe of how many ideas they could come up with in that short amount of time.

From there, students created their top 5-10 list of topics. Many students selected their topic choice. After that students developed (or will be developing) a list of Need to Know Questions to guide their research and sustained inquiry. Many students have begun researching and taking notes to become experts on their topic. Others have begun mapping out their series or episodes. I have loved seeing these ideas develop.

Next steps will be scripting, practicing, recording, producing/editing, and marketing. I have encouraged students to consider inviting guest or experts in their field to be interviewed during one or more of their episodes. One student took the initiative and wrote interview questions, then asked a local business owner his questions on his own time! I love seeing the passion behind students' chosen topics!

I am posting a link to one of the podcast episodes that we have listened to. This is an inspiring story and students paid close attention as they listened to the soundscape, and how the producers supplement the interview pieces of the podcast with additional audio.

In this new group, students are learning about ratios, equivalent ratios, ratio tables, rates, and unit rates. We took part in a ratio scavenger hunt and explored the use of ratio tables. Students practiced independently using the IXL Assignment: 6th Grade S.7. For our PBL unit, students will be selecting an are of the school to focus on. They will take measurements of the space dimensions and items in that space. They will select a scale factor then calculate the dimensions of their model. Students will choose the material they will build their model with (cardboard, foam board, Lego, clay, etc). They are excited to get started!

Next we will be looking at unit rates through a grocery shopping activity, and exploring proportions with a virtual activity where students build a baseball stadium, amusement park, and aquarium by solving problems/questions related to proportions.

The ratio/proportion activity is linked below. Students will be working on this in coming weeks as they learn about setting up and solving proportions.

All 3-8 grade students have the opportunity to take part in this years Southern Lakes Anthology challenge. There are 36 districts that participate in this event! Students can submit a piece of poetry, art, cartoon, illustrated writing, expository writing, or art around the theme "What If". Genre requirements were shared with all students. I will link the slideshow below that includes requirements, examples, and an inspirational video around the theme.

Submissions are due December 7th. These should be turned into the classroom teachers who will pass pieces along to me. There will be a round of local/district judging in Mid-December to determine which 24 pieces will be submitted for regional judging at the end of January. Selected pieces are published in the annual anthology book and authors and artists are invited to celebrate their accomplishment in May at UW-Whitewater.

Thank you all for your patience as we work to get the Rooms app set up for AL. With multiple classes/schools this has been a challenge but we are getting close! From there you will be able to receive updates, progress reports, and messages from me. I will send that announcement out as soon as classes have been published (hoping for next week). In the meantime please email with any questions or if you would like to set up a time to discuss your student's progress if we were unable to connect during conferences. nelca01@wwusd.org