This week we're focusing on addition. It's important for students to have a good conceptual understanding of what happens when we add. A lot of students say, "I carried the one" when adding. But do they know what that means? Today we pulled out the base ten blocks to gain a better understanding of what happens when we groups ones, tens, and hundreds together.
Here's a great website we used to understand what's happening when we add: http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/frames_asid_154_g_2_t_1.html
Click here to hear this podcast. You can also right-click on "here" and download the podcast directly to your computer.
On Friday afternoon, we had a few minutes before we left for the weekend. I pulled a few names from the random cup and those students shared their highlights from this week. We hope you enjoy!
Writers are people who make close observations. We read the picture book NIGHT IN THE COUNTRY and hypothesized that Cynthia Rylant's notebook was probably filled with very close observations before she wrote that book. We decided to practice this strategy by visiting the playground. Each student found a quiet spot and set out to make really close observations. Here's what Amy wrote on her first day...
Don't you love how she wrote that "the sun was sitting right next to me"? What a great example of personification! Everyone in the class also liked how she used strong words like "sway," "crinkling," and "gentle." We also noticed how she used a simile comparing the sky to a blanket.
After studying Amy, Justin, and Caroline's writing, we set out to the playground again to make more close observations. Here's what Virginia wrote today:
I love the way Virginia takes risks in her writing. Her closing sentence is incredible - comparing two opposite ideas that bring home a solid feeling (just like Amy did in hers!). I also love the way Virginia focuses on the light. She's noticing things other people wouldn't notice, and the words she uses to capture her surroundings are poetic.
Encourage your kids to be noticers of the world. A writer's notebook gives us a place to slow down and notice. I think you'll be surprised at all the ideas that are around you.
On Friday, I posed a question to the class - How could we test the strength of a magnet's attraction? I handed out materials to each science team, and I asked them to design an experiment that would answer this question. The teams began brainstorming and trying out various experiment designs. Justin, Jonathan, Madison and Virginia quickly came up with a really great idea. They showed it to the class, and everyone quickly began designing similar experiments. Here's some pictures of them working:
Here's Atticus' notebook entry where he describes the set-up of the experiment
On the Friday of our first week of school, we looked back and reflected on our favorite activities and moments from the week. We decided to create a podcast in order to share these reflections with you.
Click here to listen to the podcast. If you right click on "here" and choose "Save Target As," then you can download it directly to your computer.
We hope you enjoying hearing about our first week together!
We had a wonderful first day of school together. I really enjoyed getting to know all the kids - they have such unique and engaging personalities. I can already tell that this is going to be an incredible bunch to learn and laugh with for the next 9 months!
Here are some highlights from today:
All in all, a very busy but very fun day together. I'm looking forward to many more days of learning!
To hear this podcast, click here. You can right click on the "here," choose "Save Target As," and you can download it directly to your computer.
At the end of our first day of school, we decided to create a podcast in order to reflect upon our time together. Some students chose to share their favorite part of the day, while other students shared about their hopes and wishes for the upcoming year. It was a fun podcast to put together, and we hope you enjoy listening!
Every summer I look forward to catching up on children's books. There are so many great young adult books out there, and the summer break gives me a chance to read A LOT. Below are reviews of several of the books I read this summer.
Many of them you will be able to find in our classroom library. Some may be in our school library. One way or the other, I'll find a way to get these books in your hands. Enjoy reading the recommendations!
This story is told from Joey's perspective, an upper elementary kid with severe ADHD. SEVERE ADHD. I've never read a book like this - a book that so clearly gives you a perspective of what it's like to have ADHD. Actually, I saw myself in some of the people in Joey's life - people who didn't "get" Joey. A big theme that was brought out to me was how we view other people, how we accept other people. After reading this book, I feel like I have much greater grace and understanding for others.
Joey comes from a very real family - a family with its own troubles. Joey is sent to an alternative school after a series of "accidents" he is involved in. Most of the accidents occur because of his impulsive behavior, and it's so interesting to see how people around him react.
There is so much humor in the story. Several times while I was reading I laughed out loud and several times I dropped my jaw in disbelief. You really have to read it to believe it. It's won several awards, and its sequel has too - Joe Pigza Loses Control. I recommend reading Swallowed the Key first, it will give you the background knowledge to understand the second book.
