Field Study to the Richland County Judicial Center

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!

Systems Presentations 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.

Tooth Fairy Headquarters

We didn't neglect our Gray Area investigation.  Students reflected on our last time together and compared a river to the report card of it's watershed. They role-played a reenactment of a meeting of the Gray Area Board of Supervisors where our suspect, the owner of the water slide, was consulted and shared results from chlorine tests conducted down the river from his business.  Students took a closer look at the results, 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.

Meeting of the Gray Area Board of Supervisors

Observing daphnia

Scouring the secret documents

Water samples

We also read the second chapter 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.

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 started our novel study of Listening to Crickets, a story of conservationist Rachel Carson.

Watershed demonstration

Setting up Gray Area headquarters.

Today's literature.

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...

Order in the Court!

We created some similes as our spontaneous problem.  Students made comparisons of themselves when managing and not managing their impulsivity.  They came up with some cute ones!

• When I manage my impulsivity I am like an ice burg because I am cool and quiet.
• When I don't manage my impulsivity I am like a volcano shouting out words.
• When I manage my impulsivity I am like an eagle hunting its prey.
• When I don't manage my impulsivity I am like a lion in a zebra herd.

Student pairs researched and created presentations on selected aspects of trials.  They then presented their findings to the class to give us a well rounded look at what happens in the courtroom. They were also able to compete as the plaintiff vs. the defendant in a mock case at this website.
Student Presentations:
Prosecutor
Defendant
Court Helpers
Witness
Jury
Judge

Courtroom helpers presentation

The plaintiff's team making opening statements.

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 are just a few of their awesome products!

Hailey's Range How To

Mean Mary Ann :)

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.

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.

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.  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.