Back to the Thinking Group

Yesterday started with the journal award in the morning and we did more reading of other people's journals than writing.  At work, we talked to a few DSP's on the way back to the office, then we wrote up some goal data sheets.  We did the Thinking Group and after it was over we planned next week's lesson.  There were a few more loose ends, but mostly we advanced CARF.  

In the Thinking Group, we continued with scalars (measurements).  The 27 individuals picked up their supplies and we again went over pronouncing the word, "physics."  Then we had them trace their hand on paper.  Individually and in small groups, we wanted to show them how to measure paper thumbs with the ruler.

We had them draw a ring at the base of the thumb, then we put the #1-side of the ruler up against it.  We put a mark next to the numbers up to the tip of the thumb.  We had them estimate which line was closer (some measurements went over the tip, but fractions are confusing).  We counted how many marks we had made and we wrote down the number including the inch mark (rabbit track).  Then we repeated the lesson with the next finger.  

We also had them carefully draw the stick figures of Tyler and Jennifer.  This time we wanted them to learn quickness, so we had them minimize the embellishments.  (Jennifer gets a triangle skirt, but no hair or makeup!)  We wanted efficient note taking.   After that, we had them measure from head to head.  This caused a lot of *giggles*, although most of their work had been studious.

There were many improvements and everyone seemed excited and happy.  All of them needed assistance.  Most confusing was that before they measured the distance between their paper characters, I'd done an example on the board.  It had measured 6".  So, the brighter ones cheated and copied on their paper 6" instead of doing the proper math of 1-2" distance.