Forensics Lab

This week we transformed our classroom into a forensics lab to test some evidence fresh in from the crime scene.  Our analysts learned about chromatography and matched ink band samples from different pens to find the culprit who wrote the ransom note in The Case of the Dognapping.  They also compared physical properties of three different mystery powders confiscated from suspects in The Case of the Crummy Cake.  Students then looked at the chemical properties of the substances as they tested their reactions to water and vinegar.

For math, we worked on more median, mode, and range as they sorted data from our heart rate project.  We also used this video to jog our memories after the break: Mean, Median, and Mode Toads.

We also learned how to play Mastermind and had great conversations about code breaking strategy!

Footprint Follow-up and DNA!

As the last class before break, we spent some time reflecting and goal setting for the new year.  I am proud of all this class has accomplished.  I can already see a lot of growth and love watching them apply the language and skills of our Habits of Mind!  

We also did some field study follow up looking at a crime scene as a system and sharing about our highlights and takeaways of the trip.  We mixed in some math by looking at our footprints and using them to predict our height.  Students checked their measurements to see the correlation.

Finally we practiced our close reading skills to understand DNA and its use as evidence in court. Students summarized their findings and challenged each other with comprehension questions they had created.

CSI Field Study with the Richland County Sheriff's Department

We had a fantastic trip today!  Thank you to the sheriff's department and our wonderful chaperons! 

Students listened to Investigator Bouknight present on all things crime scene and then rotated through three crime solving stations...

Fingerprints- Students heard investigators talk about the three types of fingerprints and how even seemingly similar prints can reveal unique differences.  Students got to be fingerprinted themselves and examined their own print pattern.

Footprints- Detective Carrie assisted each student in making a footwear print. Students made observations and learned about footprints as forensic evidence.  They learned several techniques for finding and lifting prints including using a gel lifter, electricity paired with mylar film, and dental stone for casting.  They also learned about using oblique lighting to find tracks and photographing prints as the most important form of documentation.

Mock Crime Scene- Students documented the scene by sketching the site and evidence.  They also learned to use magnetic powder to dust for prints.

Idioms

Here is a run down of our day:

• Students worked their tails off on our heart rate projects and used our data to calculate the different measures of central tendency. 
• We did our daily brain workout with our morphic thinking.  The kids really enjoyed this song that was our lead in to our boundary breaker that explored different avenues of describing our feelings and moods.    
• We checked out the newly improved and renamed GoQuest website (formerly Renzulli that got the axe).  
• We spent time preparing for our CSI field study by reviewing crime scene procedures so we would be ready to roll on Wednesday.  
• The students had a ball celebrating Veteran's Day with our guest readers!
• We also looked at idioms and did some brain stretching plexers.  Try these for yourself!

It Beats Me and Habits of Mind Bonanza

        We were back to our data investigations this week.  Students are completing a real world project (It Beats Me!)to show what they know about creating line plots and describing a data set in terms of median, mode, and range.  Students are working in partners to use the results to answer our question, "How fast does the heart of a third grader beat after exercise?"  Today we collected data by measuring our heart rates after two minutes of jumping jacks.

Jumping Jacks!

Line Plot Rough Drafts

     We spent the rest of our time together taking a closer look at several Habits of Mind.  First we read the book Interrupting Chicken by David Ezra Stein and discussed it as a non-example of managing impulsivity, thinking before acting, and using your brain to manage your body.  Students then created their our Interrupting ___________ stories and presented them to the class.  I'll tell you, we have quite the creative crew!

Interrupting Nerd

     Our second Habit of Mind focus was on Metacognition.  We read the book The Three Questions and used the metaphor of the students having the power to "drive their brains"- put on the brakes to rethink and reflect, put on the gas to be proactive and take initiative in their learning, and in this reflection, make choices that put them on the road to success!  For more on metacognition for children, check out this article.

Metagognition Article

     Our last Habit of Mind focus for today was Gathering Data through all Senses.  Students connected this to crime scene investigation by making observations of evidence.  They learned the terms quaLitative (describe with Language) and quaNtitative (measure with Numbers). They also watched this video and learned the definition of inference and how inferences help explain the observations that we make. 

Inference- an explanation of an observation based on prior knowledge.

An Explanation of

an Observation based on 

Prior

Knowledge

     We also did some brain stretching using deductive reasoning puzzles-my favorite!  Try your hand at these!

Sports Logic Puzzle

Pet Mix-Up Puzzle

     Finally, check out this creative gal's pumpkin art!  Thanks for sharing!  You know I love all things owls!

CSI 101 and Persistence with Brain Games

     Our schedule was different today, so we used our time to do some research into forensic science and the order of events when a crime scene is processed.  Students learned about Locard's Principal that criminals always take a trace of something with them and leave a trace of something behind at a crime scene. They also learned about collecting that evidence and how it gets from the crime scene to the court room.

     The rest of the time we spent trying out some brain puzzles and working on building persistence as a Habit of Mind.

An Eye for Details

     Our time was short today, but we made the most of it!  Students witnessed a theft in our own classroom and used what we learned about composite sketches to make a drawing of the perpetrator. We then looked at some online activities testing their powers of observation and helping them match the suspect with the crime.  Try them for yourself!

Art of Crime Detection

Perp Walk

Face Memory

The thief