|
November 18, 2019
Modular Origami - Grade 5 Miss Hunt’s fifth grade Gifted and Talented students have just completed a curricular unit on modular origami. Modular origami is a type of origami that uses multiple units that are assembled to create an often complex model without using glue or tape. Most of the models are symmetrical geometrical shapes called polyhedrons, and are created from units called Sonobe units. Each of these units is folded to contain pockets. When other units are inserted into the pockets, a tension or friction is created that holds the model together. Students researched several types of modular origami models and chose what they wanted to make. As a result, they created models such as cubes, colliding cubes, triangular hexahedrons, tetrahedrons, stellated octahedrons, transforming stars, and the more difficult icosahedron. Each student created a minimum of two pieces that they were able to keep after the project. Though many found the project challenging, they were all proud of themselves with their finished products. Who knew that folding paper was so tied to mathematics! |
GT Times Newsletter for Grades 3-6
January, 2020 Issue |
|
October 29, 2019 ULTIMATE ORIGAMI PROJECT - Grade 5
Miss Hunt’s 5th grade GT students just finished working on part 1 of their “Ultimate Origami Project”. After learning about the math and science of origami, the students were tasked with creating a tableau or scene using origami. The theme, as voted on by the students, was “Into the Woods”, and each group had to create something representative of that. For example, some groups made camping sites, complete with lakes filled with fish, waterfalls, cabins and the like. Other groups created haunted woods scenes to envelop the spirit of Halloween. We also had some Disney movies like Snow White and Bambi depicted in our tableaus! Trees, animals, and even grass were made out of single sheets of paper! Each person in the group had to create at least four unique pieces of origami to be used in their display, but the entire display was a mixture of origami and other elements, including real rocks, sticks (for trees), and lights. As part of their grade, each group had to present their display to their peers and explain the story it told. They were then scored, using a rubric, by their peers. October, 2019
GT Game Gallery - Grade 3 Mrs. Dempsey’s students were tasked with designing and constructing games that incorporated math and movement. Students did a lot of planning, measuring and problem solving. Once the games were complete they hosted a "GT Game Gallery" for the entire third grade. The GT students helped prepare the visitors in advance by creating instructional video clips to be viewed by the classes prior to their visit. Everyone enjoyed playing Slaybaugh Six, Extreme Math Ladder ball, and Catch the Spider. |
October 20, 2019 Birds of Prey - Grade 4
The 4th grade Gifted and Talented students have been working on a learning unit about birds of prey. This STREAM unit crosses all curricular areas while students learn about this unique group of birds. Recently, in one of the variety of tasks in the unit, the students created acrostic poems about specific birds of prey that were discussed in class. Using a G-suite app, Lucid Press, they have learned how to design their own graphic poster. They then created their acrostic by sharing a photo and facts about the bird of prey of their choice. Examples of some of their acrostics are below. September 29, 2019
INTO THE WOODS - Grade 5 Miss Hunt's 5th Grade GT students are going "Into the Woods" using origami! After studying the mathematics of origami through Platonic and Archimedian solids, they have begun folding and creating pieces that will become a themed display. When finished, students will take viewers into their concept of the woods. (This project is modeled after a course at Stockton University which is taught by mathematics professor Dr. Norma Boakes.) September, 2019
Back to School Escape Room - Grade 3 Davenport's GT students engaged in a Back to School Escape Room. Students worked in teams and were required to solve codes in Braille, mathematics and Scytale in order to figure out clues and ultimately conquer Mrs. Pettit's Escape Room. This Escape Room utilized problem solving, critical thinking and student advocacy as well as skills in Google technology, all while getting to know each other with a bit of fun! |
