IPS/Butler University Laboratory School

Investigating new “modifications” to add to our planes.

Our inquiry on airplanes continues! Today, one of our friends noticed another library book that had directions for paper airplanes. The kids have been trying our each type and seeing which they like best. We have started comparing and contrasting the different types and Lucas found a big difference in one of our books. “This one has modifications!” “Modifications?” we asked. “What’s that?” Lucas then explained that one of the instructions had directions to cut wing flaps and other tools that planes use to steer them, control height, and speed. We have been talking about how planes control these things and how pilots know what to do when they are in the cockpit. Lucas began experimenting with some of the modofications to this paper airplane and soon after, many other friends were interested in seeing how their modifications would affect the way their plane flew.

Solving our airplane problem during math workshop.

 I am excited to say that math workshop is quickly becoming a favorite time of day for the kids as well as myself. I was so impressed today with the kids’ ability to show their work with their manipulatives and record it for the first time in their math notebook. Our class was very thoughtful in showing our work and many friends were even trying to find new ways to solve prolems after it was solved one way. I was so impressed with share time as well- there is so much to learn from seeing a friend try the same problem and approach it in a different way. The kids are beginning to understand this as well and apply their new strategies to their own work.

Da'Sean sharing his work during math workshop.

Zek sharing a different way he solved our problem.

Our classroom has print all over now!  The kids have been bringing in items and we now have enough that we can make a word wall.  As a class we decided where the words should go.  No worries though, if you still have items at home you can still send them in.  As you see in the picture below we still have room to add more words!

Today was a really good day!  During Writer’s Workshop today so many of the kiddos were adding details to their books which is what our minilessons have been about the last few days.  They were so excited to tell me that they were adding trees, doors, gardens, facial expressions, etc. to their books!

During Reader’s Workshop we had many of the children reading and rereading their books during the independent time, and then we had two friends read their books in front of the class.  Isaac and Malachi both did a wonderful job reading their books, and you could see their excitement and self-confidence rise as readers.  During Math Workshop, we worked in small groups and partners to solve some story problems, and all of the kids were engaged in finding out the answer using their tools they had at the time!

Also during Math Workshop we began an activity that will be a part of the next couple of days.  We are in the midst of a shoe measuring activity where we see how many steps it takes to get to various parts of our room.  Today we did the actual counting of the steps.  Tomorrow we will graph on our own papers how many steps it took, and then on Wednesday we will do a class graph!  Each child was so engaged during this time and were really counting the steps as they completed each measurement!  They were such busy bees!

Jett and Malachi built a structure together. On the left side of the structure Jett is playing Mario Bros. On the right side Malachi is playing Angry Birds. What a clever and useful way for them to use the same structure but for their own engagement. They were interacting the entire time as well. I thought this was such a neat experience to witness.

Some of our friends counting the steps from the tape to the classroom door.

Some of our friends counting the steps from the tape to the bathroom and then recording the number they got.

Today was exciting because during Reader’s Workshop we were talking about one way to learn how to read is by retelling a story that we already know.  We read Little Quack yesterday so today we decided to act it out and retell the story.  I had no idea the impact that this experience would have on the kiddos.  All but two students wanted to act out a part of this story so we ended up reading the story three times so each person who wanted to could act.  The students were saying BRAVO! afterwards, and the actors were bowing and so proud.  It was such a fun experience and definitely a great way to use literacy to enhance our learning.  I think that this will be something that we will revisit again!

Angela's shape walk writing. "Circle"Today our class looked at a book called Shapes, Shapes, Shapes by Tana Hoban. Tana Hoban is an author who is famous for her vivid photography in children's books. We looked at the book to recall shapes we had seen before and identify characteristics of them. After we looked at the story, we decided to go on our own shape walk in our classroom. Each child had a clipboard and was instructed to draw shapes they saw. I encouraged the kids to label what types of shapes they saw. For example, David saw that our large table was a rectangle so he drew the large table and wrote the word, "rectangle."Regan shows her shape walk writing.

 I was so impressed with the kid’s abilities to notice shapes around our classroom that may not at first look like shapes at all. Sascha and Journey noticed some shapes in unusual spots, including in the nook of where art supplies are stored on our easel! Ruth noticed that the lamp switch was a circle. How observant!

What shapes do you see in our easel?