Black Boxes

Spontaneous Problem: Name things that go back and forth
Boundary Breaker:  Students watched a short video about predictions for technology in the future. They responded with any potential problems they saw for the devices or society as a whole adapting to the new developments.

We practiced the Habit of Mind Listening to Other with Understanding and Empathy by using the video to discuss the coolest/most important technology shown.  Groups took up roles as speaker, listener, and evaluator as they practice whole body listening and received feedback.

Next we reviewed our observations and inferences lesson from last week as students collected qualitative and quantitative data for our dancing raisin experiment.  Students then made inferences about the objects them selves and their interactions.  They used prior knowledge to conclude that the wrinkled brown objects were raisins being lifted by the bubbles in the carbonation until they popped and sunk again.

We also went back to our discussion of models as students looked at their actual black boxes and drew they conceptional models for what they thought was inside.  Groups with the same boxes then paired to share ideas and update their designs as they found new information.  They will continue on this investigation as they turn their conceptual models into physical ones and continue to update their theories and designs.  We also read the article "Scientists and Models" and were able to discuss how the same process was and is being used to continually revise our understanding of the black box that is the solar system.

Students enjoyed a little time for students to dive into some brain stretchers of their choice.

For math, we jumped in to exploring the Egyptian numeration system.  Students discussed the use of symbols and got to work decoding amounts with their knowledge of hieroglyphics.  They compared our place value system with that of the Egyptians where the order of symbols does not effect the value of the number.

Models and Design

Spontaneous Problem: Write scientific observations about this object.
Boundary Breaker: Make an inference about what the object is and how it came to be in our classroom.

We used our Morphic Thinking this morning to lead us into some discussion and activities highlighting the difference between observations and inferences in science.  Students learned the observations are made with the five senses and simply describe.  We classified our observations as qualitative or quantitative and defined each term.  Then we looked at inferences as connections your brain makes when you mix your observations with prior knowledge.  Inferences are theories explaining the world around you.  We used several prompts and images to practice distinguishing between the two.

Next we started our investigation of the use of models in discovery.  We read the article, "Everyday Mysteries" highlighting black boxes as the term for systems that are hard to see and explain.  Models are tools used to show explanations of these mysterious inner workings. Students also read The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins and learned how models develop over time and change with new information.  Students were then introduced to their own black boxes.  In future weeks, they will be working to observe these hidden systems and create their own models explaining what is happening inside the box. Just like scientists don't have a cheat sheet that can be checked at the end of the day, students will prove or disprove their hypothesis just from comparing models and never actually open the box! 

We finished with some great student presentations and had fun practicing critical thinking with a mix of brain stretchers.

Break Out Boxes!

Spontaneous Problem: Name things you have to break in order to use.
Boundary Breaker: What would you like to be famous for inventing?

Today we completed a fun break out activity.  Students loved solving puzzles and cracking codes to discover what simple machine had been taken from our classroom!

We also learned a little about the life and work of Albert Einstein to help us prepare for his birthday party later this month!

Our time was short with MAP testing, but I can't wait to see students present their inventions projects next week!

Archaeological Adventure!

We hit the road to Charleston to check out what history we could discover at Colonial Dorchester and Charlestowne Landing.

Charlestowne Landing is the preserved site of the first English settlement in South Carolina, founded in 1670!  Students were able to tour the land and museum and see how archaeologists have used their discoveries to recreate structures present in the original town.

Colonial Dorchester gave us a peek into colonial life in South Carolina as far back as 1697!  Students were able to tour and participate in the excavation still happening on the site today.