Friday Workshops
January 15th
Maggi
Sequoia
Important Dates
January 15th - Swimming in the morning!
January 18th - MLK Day - No School
February 3rd - Parent Meeting
February 12th - Half Day (School out at 12:00)
February 15-19 - Mid-Winter Break
February 24th/25th - Snowshoe Trip!!!!
Math
2,4,6,8... or how about 9,18, 27, 36....
Continuing our work with preparing for multiplication we have created a few tools to help us. Skip counting is very helpful in practicing multiplication. We all feel comfortable counting by 5s and 10s but are a little unsure about 3s and 4s and especially 8s and 9s once we get past the first two or three numbers. We practiced using our "gems" which are beaded rods that hold the number we are counting by. For example, if I need help figuring out what three groups of four is I can grab three of the "fours" rods to help me. We also created a chart that shows skip counting from 2s to 10s.
Everyone practiced counting by a certain number by creating a dot to dot that used skip counting to connect the dots. Some practiced their 2s or 4s while others practiced 6s or 8s. And finally everyone will create a "Planet of Numbers" where everything on the planets is a multiple of a certain number. Look for these on our wall!
Language
We just couldn’t stop doing alliterations until we wrote one for every letter in the alphabet! Be sure to check out our very special book in our room. Everyone continues to work on their individual stories in Writing Workshop. It is great to watch and help the children in different stages of their story writing. From brainstorming ideas and planning, to writing and editing work that is appropriate for that child, to creating the cover and putting the final staples in and sharing during Author’s Chair or Partner Share, they are independently taking responsibility of the writing process and doing it so confidently!
We have taken a break from Centers since Winter Break and have been working on special projects like our alliterations. Another project we did this week was create our own constellations and write a myth about how our constellation came to be in the sky. We have constellations ranging from a spider web constellation put up by a scientists to a Santa’s sack constellation put up by Santa to remind everyone of Christmas spirit.
Theme
Earlier this week we practiced remembering facts that we have learned about the planets and space in a "Planet Game Show." It was great fun and I was so impressed with everyone’s ability to recall answers to the questions so quickly! We have learned so much!
We turned our attention to the stars this week. We learned a few constellations and copied some of our favorites into our own constellation "burst" book (which the kids have decided can also open and hang). "What’s your sign?" has become a common question this week as we also learned a bit about astrology. Check out our chart on the wall to see what signs we have in the Moon Toons! Do you think we have more water, fire, air or earth signs?
We will end our week with building our own sextant (an instrument used by sailors). Since we won’t be able to measure the height of the North Star, we will practice using our instrument on the highest things we can find at school.
As we near the end of our journey through space, we have begun thinking about what we would like to learn next. We started a list of topics we are interested in and will continue to add ideas over the next week. Hmmmm.... I wonder what we will study next?!
January 13, 2010
January 6, 2010
Welcom back Moon Toons!
Field Trips
Through the month of January our Friday field trips will be in the morning at YMCA. Please have your child wear his or her swimsuit to school and bring a towel (and goggles if desired).
January 18th - No School - MLK DAY!!
February 4 – All day field trip to the Pacific Science Center.
Workshops
January 8
Cedar
Kat
January 15
Maggi
Sequoia
January 22
Jack
January 29
Oliver
Claire
Math
There are three spiders. Each has 8 legs. How many legs in all? One could solve this problem using addition or they could use multiplication. We are exploring the connection between the two to help us delve further into the realm of multiplying. We each made a page that illustrated using a number in multiplication. We counted by that number, made a T chart, added the number up a certain number of times, and showed how to write it using multiplication. The work is up on our wall – check it out!
We will end the week playing “Circles and Stars” with a partner. This game help us with the idea of sets (groups) of numbers. If I rolled a three I would draw three circles. If I then rolled a two I would draw two stars in each circle. That means I have 3 sets of two or 3 X 2. We will also do “Pattern Block Times Table” where we build a picture with pattern blocks (using between 2-10 blocks) and then continue building the picture again and again on top. For example, let’s say I build a picture of a cat using three blocks. One cat is equal to three or 1 X 3 =3. I then build another cat on top using three more blocks. I now have two cats using six blocks so, 2 X 3 =6,etc...
Language
Animalist alliterations are awesome and amazing! Yes, we are playing with alliterations this week. We were inspired by a book written by a girl right here in Washington who wrote such creative alliterations and spent so much time creating quality artwork that she had it published! We are making our own book of alliterations so keep your eye out!
Many of us were in the middle of stories when we left for break. So, we reread our stories to refresh our memories and are back in writing mode. Partner sharing at the end of our writing time as become quite the favorite!
We will finish the week with our word sorts and picking our spelling words.
Theme
Our travels through space is nearing its end. We spent this week reviewing what we know about the true planets and comparing them. What planet is the coldest, hottest, biggest, and smallest? Ask your child!
In small groups we learned about asteroids, meteoroids, and comets. Each group was responsible for researching and learning about their given topic. Together they decided what the most important facts were, how they would design their poster, and who would do what job. Each group became experts on their topic and then shared their poster with the class. It was great practice in working together as a group!
We have done other group activities this week that have given us an opportunity to look at how groups work (or don’t work). After an activity we reflect (like we were a fly on the ceiling watching the group) on how the group worked. What was challenging? How did we feel? What were we doing to help (or not help)? How does it feel when our ideas are ignored? How can we acknowledge every idea and include everyone? We all love working in a group but we all also face challenges. It has been good for us to discuss these issues and brainstorm how to respond when these challenges occur. Life long lessons!
***Homework routine returns this Thursday!!***
Through the month of January our Friday field trips will be in the morning at YMCA. Please have your child wear his or her swimsuit to school and bring a towel (and goggles if desired).
January 18th - No School - MLK DAY!!
February 4 – All day field trip to the Pacific Science Center.
Workshops
January 8
Cedar
Kat
January 15
Maggi
Sequoia
January 22
Jack
January 29
Oliver
Claire
Math
There are three spiders. Each has 8 legs. How many legs in all? One could solve this problem using addition or they could use multiplication. We are exploring the connection between the two to help us delve further into the realm of multiplying. We each made a page that illustrated using a number in multiplication. We counted by that number, made a T chart, added the number up a certain number of times, and showed how to write it using multiplication. The work is up on our wall – check it out!
We will end the week playing “Circles and Stars” with a partner. This game help us with the idea of sets (groups) of numbers. If I rolled a three I would draw three circles. If I then rolled a two I would draw two stars in each circle. That means I have 3 sets of two or 3 X 2. We will also do “Pattern Block Times Table” where we build a picture with pattern blocks (using between 2-10 blocks) and then continue building the picture again and again on top. For example, let’s say I build a picture of a cat using three blocks. One cat is equal to three or 1 X 3 =3. I then build another cat on top using three more blocks. I now have two cats using six blocks so, 2 X 3 =6,etc...
Language
Animalist alliterations are awesome and amazing! Yes, we are playing with alliterations this week. We were inspired by a book written by a girl right here in Washington who wrote such creative alliterations and spent so much time creating quality artwork that she had it published! We are making our own book of alliterations so keep your eye out!
Many of us were in the middle of stories when we left for break. So, we reread our stories to refresh our memories and are back in writing mode. Partner sharing at the end of our writing time as become quite the favorite!
We will finish the week with our word sorts and picking our spelling words.
Theme
Our travels through space is nearing its end. We spent this week reviewing what we know about the true planets and comparing them. What planet is the coldest, hottest, biggest, and smallest? Ask your child!
In small groups we learned about asteroids, meteoroids, and comets. Each group was responsible for researching and learning about their given topic. Together they decided what the most important facts were, how they would design their poster, and who would do what job. Each group became experts on their topic and then shared their poster with the class. It was great practice in working together as a group!
We have done other group activities this week that have given us an opportunity to look at how groups work (or don’t work). After an activity we reflect (like we were a fly on the ceiling watching the group) on how the group worked. What was challenging? How did we feel? What were we doing to help (or not help)? How does it feel when our ideas are ignored? How can we acknowledge every idea and include everyone? We all love working in a group but we all also face challenges. It has been good for us to discuss these issues and brainstorm how to respond when these challenges occur. Life long lessons!
***Homework routine returns this Thursday!!***
A Week with the Marvelous Martians...
Important Dates and Reminders
January 8, 15, 22 and 29 (every Friday in January): swimming at the YMCA. Please wear swimsuits to school, but bring a complete change of clothes including a towel. If your child has a "Y" membership please send it to school with your child so that we do not have to pay for admission!
Friday Workshops:
January 8th:
Seth: how to make a book
Kainoa: making things out of clay
Math
SUBTRACTION! SUBTRACTION! SUBTRACTION! We have all begun investigating subtraction this week! Some of us are having our first experience with this new idea and practice writing subtraction signs and subtraction equations, playing games that reinforce the idea that subtraction means "taking things away", and learn different methods for solving subtraction equation. Other's revisiting this topic review a variety of strategies they use to solve subtraction equations and learn a new subtraction game (Grab Bag Subtraction). And the moment everyone has been waiting for (really the kids are asking for these!)...we will be putting our skills to the test as we work on some new subtraction worksheets!
Language Arts
What did you do over Winter Break? We were all so excited to see one another after Winter Break and to share stories of our time apart (so excited, in fact, that we could hardly stop talking!)...so we are using this inspiration to capture our adventures in writing during Writing Workshop! This week we focused on leaving spaces between our words and on planning our writing for the day with a partner. After trying out the partner planning, everyone agreed that it helped them to be a more directed writer when they went to the table to begin writing. I agree! Not even once did I hear "I don't know what to write about!"
Our phonics groups this week focused on: short o, qu wh tw and tr gr pr dr. Each group sorted picture cards into categories and recorded their findings with pictures and writing.
Reading groups will be focusing on: sounding out words/ pointing to words as they are read, practicing recognizing sight words, and forming connections between what we read and our lives. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE bring DEAR bags to and from school everyday! Each time the bag is brought to school the books will be replaced with new books at an appropriate level. Please make time for reading each night! Thank you!
Our phonics work continues to be interwoven throughout our week with quick games like Sound Hunt (I give them a sound and they have to find something in the room that starts with the sound) and Honey in the Pot (similar to Hangman minus the hanging man:).
Theme
We officially wrapped up our study of the planets by looking at the planets as a whole and comparing and contrasting many of their features...
Asteroid, Meteoroid, Meteorite and Meteors...we are working on learning the differences bewtween these space objects! It can be quite confusing, though fortunately we now have our very own books, complete with pictures and definitions to help us tell the difference! We also created posters in small groups of each of the objects and experimented making prints of these objects with an unexpected material! Take a look at these and see if you can guess what we used!
Stars are next on the horizon! Our week will wrap up with an art project with our Moon Tune buddies that explores the life and colors of stars!
Investigations
We are mixing things up! I noticed many students choosing to play with the same friends at the same activities for many days, so I decided that we would spend the first 10 minutes of each investigations time mixing things up a bit...this entails me choosing groups to play together at given activities! Our first experience with this was very positive, and many kids chose to stay at their activity longer than required! My hope is that this will allow kids to develop some new social skills as they play with friends they may not play with so often and that they will also have a chance to experience some new activities.
January 8, 15, 22 and 29 (every Friday in January): swimming at the YMCA. Please wear swimsuits to school, but bring a complete change of clothes including a towel. If your child has a "Y" membership please send it to school with your child so that we do not have to pay for admission!
Friday Workshops:
January 8th:
Seth: how to make a book
Kainoa: making things out of clay
Math
SUBTRACTION! SUBTRACTION! SUBTRACTION! We have all begun investigating subtraction this week! Some of us are having our first experience with this new idea and practice writing subtraction signs and subtraction equations, playing games that reinforce the idea that subtraction means "taking things away", and learn different methods for solving subtraction equation. Other's revisiting this topic review a variety of strategies they use to solve subtraction equations and learn a new subtraction game (Grab Bag Subtraction). And the moment everyone has been waiting for (really the kids are asking for these!)...we will be putting our skills to the test as we work on some new subtraction worksheets!
Language Arts
What did you do over Winter Break? We were all so excited to see one another after Winter Break and to share stories of our time apart (so excited, in fact, that we could hardly stop talking!)...so we are using this inspiration to capture our adventures in writing during Writing Workshop! This week we focused on leaving spaces between our words and on planning our writing for the day with a partner. After trying out the partner planning, everyone agreed that it helped them to be a more directed writer when they went to the table to begin writing. I agree! Not even once did I hear "I don't know what to write about!"
Our phonics groups this week focused on: short o, qu wh tw and tr gr pr dr. Each group sorted picture cards into categories and recorded their findings with pictures and writing.
Reading groups will be focusing on: sounding out words/ pointing to words as they are read, practicing recognizing sight words, and forming connections between what we read and our lives. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE bring DEAR bags to and from school everyday! Each time the bag is brought to school the books will be replaced with new books at an appropriate level. Please make time for reading each night! Thank you!
Our phonics work continues to be interwoven throughout our week with quick games like Sound Hunt (I give them a sound and they have to find something in the room that starts with the sound) and Honey in the Pot (similar to Hangman minus the hanging man:).
Theme
We officially wrapped up our study of the planets by looking at the planets as a whole and comparing and contrasting many of their features...
Asteroid, Meteoroid, Meteorite and Meteors...we are working on learning the differences bewtween these space objects! It can be quite confusing, though fortunately we now have our very own books, complete with pictures and definitions to help us tell the difference! We also created posters in small groups of each of the objects and experimented making prints of these objects with an unexpected material! Take a look at these and see if you can guess what we used!
Stars are next on the horizon! Our week will wrap up with an art project with our Moon Tune buddies that explores the life and colors of stars!
Investigations
We are mixing things up! I noticed many students choosing to play with the same friends at the same activities for many days, so I decided that we would spend the first 10 minutes of each investigations time mixing things up a bit...this entails me choosing groups to play together at given activities! Our first experience with this was very positive, and many kids chose to stay at their activity longer than required! My hope is that this will allow kids to develop some new social skills as they play with friends they may not play with so often and that they will also have a chance to experience some new activities.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
