Fourth Grade Creative Problem Solving with Shapes

The fourth graders had to create something found in a store that helps people in someway. Here are a couple of the projects.

Abigail's Leadership Project

     

Learning how to Program

DeAnthony and Steven learned how to program their Mindstorm robot to follow a black line.  The fourth graders are doing a great job learning how to program their robots to move in any direction and how to use the sensors to solve tasks.

Blake's Poster

 Blake worked hard learning about typography. He also learned about design principles. His poster shows use of font, size and color. Blake used transfer skills to hand letter this poster.

Abi's Thoughts on Creativity

                    CREATIVITY

Be creative! 

Make a masterpiece. It doesn’t matter if it’s a bird or a plane.

It’s still creative

Stress kills creativity because when your upset you can’t really think of things

Creativity keeps human society flourishing.

Creativity: the use of the imagination or original ideas, especially in the production of an artistic work.

If you want to be creative, don’t let people bring you down.

DeAnthony's Creativity Project

     
   

Evan's Creativity Project

     
   

Caden's Creativity Project

     

Evan's Scratch Project

     

March Happenings

The students have been very busy with their concept based units. Third grade is studying the concept of systems through the topic of inventions. Fourth grade has been studying the concept of creativity. Fifth grade has been studying the concept of leadership, through the study of eminent people.

All of the classes are also working in a Project M3 unit. These math units were developed through the National Research Center on Gifted. Third grade is pictured playing a game called "Some Difference". The students are studying our base-ten number system through various activities. Fourth grade is working on "At the Mall with Algebra" which focuses on developing the understanding of variables, expressions and equations. Fifth grade is working on "What are your Chances?" which investigates probability and the Law of Large Numbers.

Here is a group of Fourth graders working in creativity stations. These stations give students the opportunity to practice creative strategies. The students have also been using the Independent Investigative Method to answer questions. These questions were developed using the Kaplan Dimensions of Depth and Complexity. The questions have greatly challenged the students.

Fifth grade has been studying the qualities of good leadership through the unit, Changing Tomorrow. This unit was developed at the William and Mary Center for Gifted Education. We have investigated: 1) the visionary qualities of Walt Disney 2) the empathic listening of Ben Carson 3) Amelia Earheart and risk taking 4) Bill Gates and building motivation.  We will continue with 6) Clara Barton and taking action and 7) Tecumseh and Legacy. The students will then select a leader in a field of interest, and analyze their qualities based on generalizations we have developed.

Chaffee FLL Team

Chaffee Eagles competed at the Space and Rocket Center qualifying tournament. At this tournament the team won the Mechanical Design Award and qualified to compete at the state tournament. At the state tournament, the team won the Teamwork trophy. We are very proud of them.

The team project was Eagles teach others. Please see our work on YouTube, DIY.org and Vimeo.