Richland County Judicial Center Field Study

We had a fantastic time observing the trial of Mr. Sticky Fingers and the case of the stolen cell phone. Students got to hear opening statements, observe evidence and witness testimonies from both the prosecution and defense, and take part in the the final verdict.  The beautiful day and outdoor lunch were a hit as well!

Jury duty.

The judge and court clerk.

The prosecutor addressing the jury.

The Defense answers student questions.

Project Share and Bio-Indicators

We started our day with some awesome Systems Project Presentations!  I am really proud of the products that were shared!  It has been great for the presenters as well as the audience to practice systems thinking and see the examples that are being shown.

 

Students took a closer look at the results from the waterslide chlorine tests, performed a bio-assessment of their own on a macro-invertebrate called daphnia to check the more long term effects of chlorine on the area, and examined some secret documents that provided further clues.

Graphing

We focused heavily on our M^3 Math today as we embarked on Chapter 2 and graphing. Students will be collecting survey data and learning to represent it in various way.  Today we interpreted bar graphs and double bar graphs and our math discussions focused on writing quality questions that use and compare the data shown.  

We used some of these websites as a fun follow-up to our lesson.  Students wanting more practice can enjoy exploring them more at home!

Interpreting Data

Data Bank Research

Bar Charts

Bar Charts 2

IXL

Create your Own

We didn't neglect our Gray Area investigation.  Students role-played a reenactment of a meeting of the Gray Area Board of Supervisors where our suspect and owner of the water slide was consulted and shared results from chlorine tests conducted down the river from the water slide.  We also reflected on our last time together and compared a river to the report card of it's watershed.  Next week, students will take a closer look at the results, perform a bio-assessment of their own, and examine some secret documents that may provide further clues.

We also read the first chapters of Listening to Crickets, our novel study about environmentalist Rachel Carson.  We are learning from her example and identifying Habits of Mind that Rachel used to find success in her field.

Student Reflection:

So far Rachel has used persisting, gathering data through all senses, and thinking flexibly. She used persisting during the Great Depression when she always had a job.  She gathered data through all her senses by listening to nature, staying still, and listening to her mom. She thinked flexibly by writing different stories.  This is what I would say for character traits and habits.

WATER!

This week, from our Morphic Thinking all the way to our farewell our focus was on water.  Students read A River Ran Wild by Lynne Cherry and saw the effects of disrespecting water as a resource. They also saw that there is hope for restoration of polluted waterways and how they can play a part in the solution.  Research was done on watersheds and students got to participate in a simulation of pollution's downstream journey.

We also looked at different tests that can be conducted to evaluate water quality.  Some of these tests will help us identify our Gray Area culprit.  We learned about turbidity tests to check for clarity and sediments, (helpful in the investigation of the erosion caused by the clear-cutting logging company) phosphate and nitrate tests to see if fertilizers may be causing an abundance of algae growth, (helpful in the investigation of the cattle ranch and farm)  bio-assessment tests for macro-invertebrates, and pH tests.  We also were introduced to our novel study of Listening to Crickets, a story of conservationist Rachel Carson.

Watershed demonstration.

Compiling evidence on our Gray Area suspects.

Welcome to Gray Area

We are officially embarking on our journey as environmental detectives!  Today students did a review of systems and a teamwork challenge to prepare themselves for their upcoming experiences. Students were introduced to the Gray Area and the mysterious fish kill that has been taking place there over the last five years.  They met some of the key players (suspects?!?!) in the region, looked at maps of the area to identify factors that may be at play, and studied the history of the area as they compiled a time line of events and developments over the past 100 years.  Throughout this semester they will be acting as scientists, council members, reporters, and detectives as they conduct tests and research to uncover the reason behind the declining fish population.

Systems Review...

The Human Knot Teamwork Challenge...

Gray Area Timeline Mapping...

The Case of the Teachernapping

I had a bit of a scare today as I was whisked off unexpectedly.  My twin sister, Mrs. Donaldson, took over for me and helped the students put their CSI knowledge, Habits of Mind, and math data skills into action to find me.  They processed the crime scene for evidence, used deductive reasoning, interviewed a witness, and found my location based on the median of the information I was able to provide.  It turns out that I was taken to a surprise party where our class was named ALERT class of 2015!  I am so proud.  I was able to make it back in time to celebrate with students.  I am looking forward to our awesomeness continuing in 2016.

Ready to process the crime scene with our crime solving gear.

Interviewing the eye witness.

Teachernapping Video 1

Teachernapping Video 2

Teachnapping Video 3

Teachernapping Video 4

We also managed to squeeze in some research on trials.  We have looked at crime scenes, forensics labs, and now will follow the evidence to court.  Students used Nearpod to read an article covering the basics of a trial and watched a BrainPop video sharing the difference between criminal and civil cases.  They also competed as defense vs. prosecution on the mock trial game at this website.  Next week we will take a virtual field trip through a courthouse and look closer at the parts of the courtroom system to prepare for our real field study there later in the semester.

Math Bingo

Today students focused on math as they had some choice activities to review median, mode and range.  Following some good work and discussion they took a wrap up assessment to show off their learning.

Here is the recap of winners by Delaney...

Today we started off with sp and bb. Before our bb we got to watch everything is awesome from the lego movie. We did math bingo and the first 3 to complete it were: 1 place was Delaney, 2 place was Srianeesh, 3rd place was Kevin. The 3 runner ups were Rohan, Makell, and Ivan. After bingo we did or end of the unit math test for mode median and range. The 1st winner for bingo gets a prize like all bingo games.

Bingo Champions!

Bingo Runner-ups!

Here are just a few of their awesome products!
Srianeesh Explains Range
Mode Tutorial by Delaney
Lunch Line Data by Olivia
Kevin's Attendance Survey Data
Ivan Median Review

Here are some online games for further practice:
http://www.kidsmathgamesonline.com/numbers/meanmedianmode.html

http://pbskids.org/cyberchase/math-games/send-trolls/

http://www.turtlediary.com/game/mean-median-mode-range.html

 We also got to take a virtual tour of a courthouse at this site: virtual field trip.