Shake, Rattle, and Roll

How do rocks change in moving water?
On November 19th, Team Gibbas students explored how rocks change in moving water by conducting an inquiry activity on weathering called "Shake, Rattle, and Roll."  Students were given sandstone, water, and three plastic containers.  Students were instructed to shake one container for two minutes, one container for five minutes, and to let one container rest.  Then, students made observations about what the rocks looked like.

Students observed that after shaking the rocks appeared to be smaller and smoother.  And the container that was shaken for five minutes had sand on the bottom!  

2 by 2 multiplication song

Learning something new is easy when the steps become lyrics and dance moves!  This week Team Gibbas students learned how to do 2 digit by 2 digit multiplication by learning a song set to the tune of The Macarena.

Click here to watch the video.

One is a Feast for a Mouse

Please enjoy this read aloud of One is a Feast for a Mouse.  Thank you Mrs. Klipfel for creating this fun activity!

Happy Thanksgiving from Team Gibbas.

 

Playful Exploration

On Friday, November 5th 4th grade students participated in an amazing enrichment opportunity provided by the generosity of TESPTO called Playful Engineers Traveling Maker Space. Each class had an hour and a half workshop led by Jay Mankita students first watched demonstrations of how common materials (e.g. blocks, legos, balls, wooden rods, K-nex) could be transformed into simple machines and chain reaction machines in a Rube Goldberg style.  Next, students were able to explore the materials to create their own chain reaction machines.  Students imagined, created, problem solved, persevered, and collaborated.  And they failed many times.  But in this workshop students experienced the joys of practice leading to progress and failure leading to success. 

Meet Mrs. Gibbas

Drop Everything And Read

This past April 12th would have been author Beverly Cleary's 105th birthday.  Beverly Cleary is the beloved author of many children's books including The Mouse and the Motorcycle and the Ramona series.  Beverly Cleary was a huge supporter of D.E.A.R. time (Drop Everything And Read).  To honor Beverly Cleary's memory we enjoyed D.E.A.R. time outside on Tuesday, April 13th.  Students brought in beach towels and read and relaxed outside.

Mapping the United States

On Friday, April 16th students learned a brief history of the United States from "Neal the Map Man."  Neal taught the students a bit of history as he drew a map of the United States from memory.  Students learned many U.S. facts.
Here are a few of the things they learned.

• Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the U.S.
• The largest living things on this planet are trees.
• Death Valley is the lowest point in the country at 282 feet below sea level.
• Iowa is the U.S. state that produces the most corn.
• The first U.S. mail system was the Pony Express which existed from 1860-1861.

At the end of the show Neal asked the students a number of questions and students were able to show what they learned using the clues that Neal had drawn on the map.  It was a fun, interactive learning experience for all!