The Last Few Weeks

Just like spring, things have gotten a little crazy lately! We have had tons of excitement, so here is an update on the last few weeks! 

In math we have explored quadrilaterals with some centers and a Quadrigram activity, geometry with our formula sheet, and circle graphs with collecting our own data. History has been all about WWII: leaders of countries, where in the world, what they were doing, how the battles were taking place, the US homefront, etc. This week, we are diving into the human impact of the war. We have also looked into good and bad habits and how they affect us at school and home in our Monday Meetings, on top of a ton of exciting things outside of the classroom (and another couple of lost teeth to boot)!

Check vs. Check volleyball game!

Finally got to check out the band! 

On our way to bowl! 

Spring dance limbo line!

Tyler not only has skills as a 4H agent, but can spin some beats too!

Our trip to RUABLE was a blast! It is a team-building and low ropes challenge. 

World Series-playing paper, rock, scissors until we have one winner, except everyone cheers the people they lost to on. 

Playing the Name Drop Game. You have to say the name of the person before they do when the curtain drops.Tons of strategy involved in this one!  

Hot Chocolate River! You have to get from one place to the other without loosing your marshmallows to the Troll who eats them if no one is touching it! Lots of communication and teamwork involved. 

Bandanna tag-focus and attention required! 

Minefield! All of those toys are obstacles in the field and you have to direct your blindfolded partner across it without running them into anything! Communication and active listening are key components to success here. 

Protect the President! One person is president, the other is secret service who keeps the ball from touching the president. This game is about nonverbal communication and teamwork. Each set of people has to work together, but can't let the other group know of their plans

Amoeba tag--seems easy until you try being linked to ten other people and having to tag someone. 

Balancing logs. 

Finished the day out on the wire. We started by supporting each other one at a time to learn to spot as someone goes across, then broke apart into groups of three to try to go a little farther. 

Splat! If you are focused, you're going to go splat! 

Ms. D's (Multi) Weekend Snapshot: 

Views from my birthday weekend! 

Tango enjoying the sun as much as anyone. 

I got new babies! 

I was playing ball with my little cousin until he needed a break! Haha! 

I got to see Chris Stapleton! 

Then the next night I went to see Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder with Upland Express opening. 

I made these signs for my pseudo-nephew's first birthday party. 

CAKE!

How cute is he?!?!?!

DC

This was an off week as I went on the 7th grade field trip and was gone Thursday and Friday!

In history, we continued to look at the leaders and governments of Axis nations during WWII to better understand why events occurred the way they did. We also learned a strategy to help us answer questions in class and on the English SOL.

It was all about shapes in math as we reviewed quadrilaterals! Mrs. Thomas also was able to teach our math class while Ms. D was gone! I know she had a blast and I bet students enjoyed a different voice in math class.

Other exciting things this week: 

• Ms. Nelson starting a novel in English that connects with our WWII studies.
• Awesome math centers that everyone had fun with! 
• Excitement about what we are learning. 
• Getting closer and closer to free seats in history and math! 

Ms. D's weekend snapshot: 
Here are a few scenes from the DC trip! I will be spending the weekend catching up on sleep for sure!

Arlington National Cemetery. 

Jackie Kennedy's Inauguration Day dress. 

The Rotunda in the Capitol!

One of my favorite Martin Luther King Jr. quotes at the MLK Memorial. 

Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. 

A new perspective from which to view the Washington Monument. 

Korean War Memorial. 

Images of how much biodiversity is in a biocube at the Natural History Museum. 

This was my favorite exhibit I saw this weekend! The photos were stunning! 

Vietnam War Memorial.

Cherry blossoms! My first time seeing them in bloom in DC. 

This sculpture is in the Rotunda Room at the Capitol. It features Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B, Anthony, and Lucretia Mott, all important suffragettes during their time. The last piece is left unfinished to symbolize how much is left to be done in the fight for woman's rights. 

We will be learning about the importance of this air vessel very soon!

The Wright Brothers with da Vinci beside them to show how far we have come! 

"I've got a secret book for my cookies!"

I didn't post last week with the crazy weather and shortened week we had! Hopefully spring has truly sprung and we won't have any more snow days! 

In history this week we finally started WWII (some people have been asking since day one "Are we there yet?!"). To do so we did a fun simulation where I was a candy factory owner this time, as well as a candy shop owner and a banker. We did this simulation to take a look at how someone like Hitler could easily come to power in a desperate economic situation and the differences between him and FDR during the time. I think some students legitimately have trust issues now! 

We also learned a new technique for questioning and conducting research: Question Formulation Technique (QFT)! 

In math, we finished up circles with some centers (I forgot to take pictures because I was running a center) to help solidify our knowledge of circumference. We quickly moved on to area and even learned about sequences with our warm up questions! 

Other exciting things this week! 

• More lost teeth! We are almost to a full set! 
• Mrs. Thomas and Ms. D in the top 5 in the 7th grade bracket challenge pool.
• Jokes, hugs, and laughter!
• Mrs. Cromer visiting and tweeting our Oreo math lesson on the CES page!
• A great day and many compliments in computer lab.
• Students that help each other.
• This secret book!
  

Ms. D's Weekend Snap Shot: 

I took hardly any pictures, but I had a ton of fun!

• Worked at the Blue Ridge
• Saw Beauty and the Beast...twice!
• Monthly singing at church 
• Harry Potter marathons with best friends 
• Sunshine and chacos