Videos on natural hazards

Some videos to understand the reasons behind natural hazards:
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bG37DEAb3Bc  
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FM4E19PZhw
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBkMLYUyUZg
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chbbiSCczB8
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryrXAGY1dmE
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-HwPR_4mP4
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpFD8g8PBJM&list=PL62E589E4304DCB99&index=3
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrWCwPhaJw8
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8XJh1VCGIo
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgktM2luLok
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRH1PAJGlvo

Videos of Rube Goldberg machines

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjOFeC-Dm7U

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VI47chBIgOU

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cv5WLLYo-fk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?annotation_id=annotation_338765&feature=iv&src_vid=cv5WLLYo-fk&v=cVgcmmS0W3Q
  

Sorting the six categories of simple machines

Students were given pictures of various machines and objects which they sorted into the six different categories of simple machines. Here are some pictures of students working in groups:

 

Experiments with simple machines

Students consolidated their understanding on the working of simple machines and the principles behind them.
They were guided throughout by Mr. Sudipto Roy (physics teacher, senior academy), through different experiments. The concepts of force, load, effort and their interconnections were seen and experienced by the students.
Some snapshots are below:

Mr. Sudipto Roy helping students to carry out experiments with four pulleys vis-vis one.

Students experiencing the effect of wheels through marker pens underneath the white board which is use for sliding.

Students are witnessing effort on an inclines plane

 

 

 



 

New insights from guest speakers

For the unit 'Leaders', our guest speaker was Mr. Aaron Jacob. He is the Dean of students and head of the dormitory teachers. He spoke about his role and responsibilities as a leader, what kind of challenges he faces and how he tries to overcome them. Students were very involved and asked their curious questions like: "Who is your role model?"
"What did you like and admire in your role model?"
Through the discussions, some essential qualities of a leader became evident like: honesty, caring, confidence etc

 

 

Ms Ally had come to grade4 to introduce students to Socratic seminars. She showed videos of different types of Socratic seminars and told the rules of having an environment where everyone listens when some one speaks and does not interrupt the speaker. Students had a Socratic seminar on the life of leaders. Through this exercise, students practiced being good listeners, thinkers and speakers. They also learnt to co-operate with each other, even while they disagree with each other.

 

 

Constructing meaning of 3D shapes

 Students tried to figure out centimeter cubes by constructing cuboids and cubes. This exercise did help them understand the difference between 2 and 3 dimensions. They could see the edges, vertices and faces of the shapes.

 

Machine hunt in the academy

Students of grade 4K looked for machines in the campus and identified their use. Then they will try to figure out, what will happen if the machines would not have been there in the campus?
Here are some pictures of the machines in school:

 

Inquiry

Inquiry in mathematics is a unique experience. Grade 4 had to inquire into the various ways a number can be formed through applying different operations. I was happy to see students use the concepts of basic operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division to make a number. In mental maths they practiced with two digit numbers. In written work, some groups were given three digit numbers. Soon I will post pictures of their work.

Place value

The concept of place value is being reinforced through games on place value and base ten cubes:

Leaders

Grade 4's current unit is 'leaders'. Students have been working hard on understanding the characteristics of a leader.
We began the unit with a bus top activity, which had some questions on leadership as a concept and how they perceive themselves as leaders. What qualities should they have in order to be a leader.
A teacher guided lesson on Gandhi Ji was delivered as an exemplar. The objectives were to understand qualities of a leader and to develop research skills.
Students found this very interesting and they wanted to know more about other leaders. They were divided into expert groups and each group researched on a leader. The leaders whom they researched on are Helen Keller (woman leaders), Tenzing Norgay, Edmund Hillary (explorers), Adolf Hitler, Mussolini (deadly dictators) etc. Each group shared their learning with the other groups through group presentations.
A lot of learning is happening............

Students are trying to scim and scan information from an article on a leader. 

We are on!

Hello there,
Now that we have our class blog up and running, lets be proactive.
You may check out the photographs and my comments/explanations.
Thanks
Ms Reema Mitra