I Wonder!

We missed Teacher Genne in Pyramid yesterday!  Hope she's 100% soon.

Yesterday was a full day in class!  We reviewed looking for equations, learning new things by looking up words we (think we) already know in the Webster's 1828 Dictionary, and generally starting to really study and think deeply about verses in our Core books.  Everyone committed to doing that this week, in their own core book studies.

Then we wondered.  We discussed the power of curiosity, and looking at things in a way we haven't before... even the mundane... like cats drinking.  Roman Stocker, a scientist at MIT was watching his cat drink milk one day and wondered if he did it differently than the dog, as it seemed.  His curiosity led him to mention it to friends and fellow scientists, then on to a serious study of how cats, large and small, lap up milk, a collaborative scientific paper being published, and breakthroughs in biomechanics.  All because he paid attention to something most of us consider mundane, and wondered!  What they learned is that cats don't actually scoop up the liquid, they quickly break the surface tension with their tongues and use inertia to pull it back up before closing their lips around it.  So we all became cats, sort of.  We tried it out, dipping our hands in water and catching it with the other hand.  Some of us were better at it than others, and Kaleigh decided to try it the cat's way, with her tongue.  A straw will probably serve her better.  But the take away is to be more curious!

Noah had some great questions as he helped lead our book discussion on String, Straightedge and Shadow.  And even though we don't have a class full of math-lovers, we had a very thoughtful discussion.  I really liked talking about the people or events we wished we could have been there to meet/see.

We also learned all about the Pot Belly Stove from Kaleigh. 

Our next book is The Phantom Tollbooth.  A reminder that even if you've read it before, you need to re-read it with the characteristics of a scientist in mind.  That discussion will be held in 3 weeks.  But don't wait until then to get started on Coming of Age in the Milky Way.  It's a great read, but not a small or quick one.  So get a jump start on that!

I also handed back all the science fair proposals.  Most need some more detail, specifically about HOW you're going to run your study and learn what it is you're trying to discover.  You can start the experiments now, but please bring your fleshed-out proposals back next week.

Emma, your 2nd presentation is next week.

And everyone, don't forget your logbooks!  And pull out (and use!) those bookmarks for Phantom Tollbooth and Coming of Age in the Milky Way.

Principles, Laws, and Equations

Is your mind still blown?  You should ask your scholars that question and then have them tell you all about our discussion today.  It was pretty much AWESOME!  I so enjoyed helping them to think about their core book (the scriptures) a different way.  They were all left with the following challenge:

1.  Use the equation If this.... then this.... in their search for patterns this week.  I'm excited to see what they'll find.

Please encourage your scholar to WRITE DOWN their log entries.

2.  Really STUDY your core book this week: look up words, draw equations, make connections, etc.  If you only get a sentence read, but you learn a ton, then mission accomplished.

HOMEWORK

1.  Finish String, Straightedge, and Shadow.

2.  Record Log Book entries.

Attached is the schedule for presentations.  I encourage everyone to think outside the box when it comes to your presentations.  Be creative.  Think about what you would enjoy in a presentation. 

Oh say, what is truth?

Hello Everyone,

Here's another week of the Pyramid Project blog.  This last week we discussed the important questions:  What is truth?  How do we know something is true?  Everyone had great insight and we appreciate everyone's participation in our class.  It is an important question to continue to discuss as home.  Ask your students what they think and share with them your own insight.

Happily we have quickly come together as a group and everyone is working well together.  We had a great presentation from Emma on Marie Curie. 

This next week the students have the following due:

1.  Their outline for the science fair project.  They each received a worksheet that details what their science fair outline must include.  This is a written outline with as much detail as possible.  Those who don't have a solid plan in place will be asked to continue to work on their outline until it is finished. 

2.  The book String, Straightedge and Shadow is due on October 20th.  I know our student assistant Noah has been diligently reading through this book, and he will be excited to lead a great student discussion this week. 

3.  Every week is an accountability section in class.  Students account for the number of times they have recorded in their Log Books.  The account, of course, is just a written verification that they have completed their agreed upon number of math lessons and core book student as well as written down I Wonders and Patterns noticed.  So far, everyone is taking a leisurely approach to their Log Book.  Unfortunately this will not make it possible for students to achieve the Inteligro Award at the end of the semester, so I encourage everyone to not wait to write in their Log Books!!

Lastly - I listened to a conference call on mentoring mentees this week.  The presenter shared lots of great insights, but in talking about mentoring students she shared the idea of a 2nd Witness.  Either that 2nd Witness is us as the classroom mentors or you as the home mentor.  It makes such a difference when we work together and back each other up.  I would strongly encourage you to have weekly mentor meetings with your students and ask them to share what they've been learning in class.  Also follow up with them on their math and core book study goals that they set with you.  It will make a huge difference and will ensure success.  Please let us know how we can support what you are doing at home.

Sincerely,
Your Pyramid Project Mentors:  Genevieve and Diannalynn