We came back from the weekend remembering Martin Luther King, Jr. with a field trip to the Exploratorium. We took BART to the Embarcadero stop and then walked to the Exploratorium. Once there, we split off into our groups to explore different exhibits that focused on magnets: Black Sand, Magnetic Tightrope, and Magnetic Cloud. Temescalians had hands on experience with magnetic properties before having the freedom to explore the rest of the many Exploratorium exhibits in their groups. Some highlights were drinking out of the toilet drinking fountain, watching a cow eye dissection, and walking through the “quiet room”. Ask your Temescalian what was most interesting to them!
Continuing our work with 2-digit and 3-digit addition and subtraction, we tackled the algorithm and broke apart what is really happening with the algorithm with base ten blocks. For example, if you had 257 + 169, you would first represent this in base ten blocks.
In the ones column, there are 16 ones. Trade ten of the ones units into a tens long. There should still be 6 ones units left in the ones place. Bring this tens long to the tens column…
Now there are 4 hundreds flats, 12 tens longs, and 6 ones units. You can trade ten of the tens longs into one hundreds flat.
In the end, you should have the sum of 426. The algorithm represents what we just did with the base ten blocks, except with numbers instead of blocks. A key to successfully calculating with the algorithm is to organization! Line up the numbers so all of the numbers in the same place value are right above/below each other! Also, keep track of your trades by writing them in the appropriate place value column! Next week, we will tackle 2-digit and 3-digit subtraction with the algorithm! Until then, keep trying out different ways to solve addition problems and see which works best in each situation!
We welcomed in Vanessa, the middle school teaching artist and 6th graders to brainstorm about what we’d like to see at the Art Show! The “Intersections” Art Show opening will be on Thursday, February 7, 6:00 – 8:00pm! Mark your calendars! You’ll see art from ECC friends up to the middle schoolers!
Julianne guided the kids through a brainstorming of possible ideas to connect our earlier photosynthesis with a temporary installment in the front of the school. We hope to plant a word that represents TBS and welcomes people to TBS!
We welcomed in two educators from CalPerformances to prepare us for our upcoming field trip to see Kodo, a taiko drumming ensemble. During our time with the educators, Galen and Jesse, we explored non-verbal ways to cue one another, mainly eye contact and listening to one another. We also learned the kata (stance your body takes to play taiko drums. It is sturdy and strong) and had a few volunteers demonstrate how solid your stance is when your feet are together vs. when they are spread apart in the kata.
We used our knowledge of the kata to play a game of non-verbal cues where when you make eye contact with another Temescalian, you stop, jump into the kata stance and pretend to do 3 beats on a taiko drum. Then Galen and Jesse brought out the taiko drum and talked about its parts and how one may play it.
The educators talked about the oroshi (the pattern you play to signal the beginning or ending of a piece) and kuchishoga (drum language). They demonstrated the different sounds that can be made on a taiko drum and the corresponding sounds that indicate what sounds the musician should play. (To view the video, please use the password: TemescalCreek! )
We learned about the different instruments used during a Taiko performance.
We listened to a performance and tried to discern which instruments we were hearing, then we got to pick two instruments to hear together. (See if you can point out where the oroshi is for each demonstration!)
Galen and Jesse play a demo on the taiko drum and shime drum. (To view, use the password: TemescalCreek! )
How a taiko drum and the chappa sound together… (To view, use the password: TemescalCreek! )
Can you tell which two instruments are used in the next two videos? (To view, use the password: TemescalCreek! )
We finished our time together splitting up into 3 different groups. Each group decided a number to clap on and later, to stomp on. The overall performance was one of rhythm and listening to one another. (To view, use the password: TemescalCreek! )
Jesse and Galen demonstrate the sanbon-jime (closing rhythm) that the entire audience may join in at the Kodo performance on February 4! (To view, use the password: TemescalCreek! )
Other views from the week:
Upcoming Events:
February
4 – Field trip to Zellerbach Hall on the UC Berkeley campus to see Kodo (the taiko drumming performance)
5 – Celebrating the Lunar New Year in class (let us know if you’re interested in helping out!)
7 – Art Show Opening (6:00 – 8:00pm)
11 to 15 – Friendship Week
13 – 1,000s Projects are due in class
14 – Valentine’s Day celebrated in class
15 – Family Reading and all are invited to come in and view the 1,000s Projects!
