Much like a middle school math teacher, I teach three sections of math where kids come to my classroom for instruction. I begin working with kids in 3rd grade who have been identified as gifted. They stay with me for 4th grade and then for 5th grade too. I feel pretty lucky to loop each year and be able to build on successes from the previous years. We are a pretty tight group by 5th grade. Nonetheless, we can always use work on team building skills combined with problem solving and communication. Here are my current favorites that we started this school year with:
5th grade - 5th graders took on the Marshmallow Challenge. Spaghetti, tape, and string are used to build the largest tower that will support a large marshmallow. Thanks to a TED Talk an this website, you have all the info you need to try it.
http://marshmallowchallenge.com/Welcome.html
5th grade - 5th graders took on the Marshmallow Challenge. Spaghetti, tape, and string are used to build the largest tower that will support a large marshmallow. Thanks to a TED Talk an this website, you have all the info you need to try it.
http://marshmallowchallenge.com/Welcome.html
4th grade - I challenged my 4th graders this year to stack cups but only using a rubber band with strings attached. NO touching the cups with your hands. I found this one this summer from another blogger - "Science Gal"
http://sciencegal-sciencegal.blogspot.ca/2012/09/setting-expectations-for-group-work.html
http://sciencegal-sciencegal.blogspot.ca/2012/09/setting-expectations-for-group-work.html
3rd grade - And although I have not had a chance to work with my 3rd graders yet this year (it takes us the first couple weeks of school to gather data for 3rd grade identification for GT,) the last two years I have required the kids to work with a partner to "Save Fred" - a gummy worm whose "boat" has capsized with his life preserver under the boat. Check out this link for full instructions.
http://www.anderson.k12.ky.us/Downloads/Save%20Fred2.pdf
http://www.anderson.k12.ky.us/Downloads/Save%20Fred2.pdf