Yesterday began a new brain teaser unit. I've begun a series of lessons that use language arts concepts combined with challenges to teach some of our basic grammar concepts. Yesterday's focus was on words that can be both a noun and a verb. Also, we looked at words that become plural without adding S. Using the dictionary we had in the room two of the words the students came up with were proven wrong. As is often the case one student felt the need to find the REAL answer. The students were sure that the plural of platypus was platypi, well, our dictionary said platypuses, so that's what I went with. Thanks to Gabe's dogged research we are corrected. Platypi is acceptable. (Interesting: My spell check doesn't like platypi either. :) )
The next activity was to look at word problems with multiple steps, possibly having multiple answer or just not enough information. I gave the students many examples and they attempted to solve the problems. Next week we'll review a few more before I ask the children to write their own problems similar to the ones we've been doing.
Also, in PETS we looked at the Problem Solving Matrix. This activity required the students to come up with possible solutions to how to organize a house full of magic trick supplies. The conversations the children had were fabulous. Our rules require that criteria be factual. This is a tricky component as each child had their own opinions. I, of course, had to throw a few wrenches into their thinking. Next week, we'll review the work they did this week and see if they are still willing to support their choices.
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