IPS/Butler University Laboratory School

We had an exciting day back today!  I believe the highlight of the day was during Math Workshop.  We have been talking a lot about measurement.  Today we introduced the ruler.  When the kids came to work with me in their small group we measured multiple things in the room.  They were so happy to learn about a new tool!

Dorothy and BreAnna were working hard measuring their notebooks.

Wyatt was measuring away with the ruler!

As if that was not enough, we introduced Science to a small group of friends today.  During Free Choice time a group of 5 students came over and played “Melt the Ice.”  They rolled a die and each number correlated to an action you had to do with a piece of ice.  The goal of the game was to melt your ice.  It was fun to listen to the kids and hear their observations as they played.  They noticed that the more heat you added to the ice the faster it melted.  This lead us into a short conversation about liquids and solids.  Each day a small group of students will be working with me on a science activity.  We will do a new activity each week.

Dorothy, J'Nayla, and Selah were working hard to melt their ice!

Finally, we have a new friend in our class!  Salih joined us today and will be with us for the rest of our school year.  I am sure you will be hearing about our new friend.  Our class was so kind and welcoming today.  I must say I was very proud of their genuine kindness!

Salih reading with CJ during Reader's Workshop.

The kids have been so excited all week about meeting again in our friendship circle. During calendar today, Miss Schmidt asked some of our friends what day was today. Angela told her it was Friday and said she knew because, “It is friendship circle day!”

During friendship circle, our two classes celebrated several friends that got to add pieces of fabric to the friendship loom. They got to do this by acting like a friend throughout the week.

Sydney and Emily share a handshake with our friendship circle.

After we recognized our special friends, Mrs. Bucher, Miss Schmidt and I asked the kids about special handshakes. What handshakes had they worked on this week? Did they have any prospective ideas for our friendship circle handshake? Many pairs shared what they had worked on this week. We saw many different kinds of handshakes, including some with hand clapping, hugs, noises, and counting. Next week, we will talk about deciding on a friendship circle handshake we can do each time we meet. We are so excited to see where this time leads us!

David and Da'Sean share a cool greeting with us.

Tags: creativity, friendship, project

This week we have been beginning a reading and writing unit about non-fiction. Students are being introduced to different non-fiction books. They are also getting opportunities to write non-fiction books of their own. So far, we have learned that non-fiction books often have a table of contents, glossary, and index.

Shayla wrote a non-fiction book during writer's workshop about Justin Bieber.

Martavious found an index in his library book. He shared with the class how to use it.

It was a special day in yoga today.  This afternoon Mrs. Williams taught the kids a yoga version of musical chairs.  They walked around in a circle.  Instead of chairs there were different pictures of yoga poses.  When the music stopped they kids had to look down and do whatever pose was in front of them.

Yoga Musical Chairs

While we did play this game, I am sure that many of you are hearing about the games we play everyday.  This year, in our morning meeting, we have a section that is devoted to games or activities.  During these 5 to 7 minutes we play games that work on community building.  They are fun, but they require thinking and cooperation.  Some of these activities are Boo-ga-loo, Dance-off, Woof, and many more! (While I could explain each one it might be more entertaining to ask your child!)  The kids have to depend on each other to complete the tasks.  When they trust each other it helps build our classroom community.  I am proud to say that they have really taken these games on.  They get excited and will gladly work together on anything I present to them!

Max and CJ work together to play "Woof."

Lucas works hard on creating trading cards during studio and explore.

 Today during math, our friends had a challenge- find four objects to measure in the room. The twist? Measure them without rulers- use your hands! Miss Schmidt led a conversation revisiting non-standard measurement with the kids and talked about how you can measure with many different types of objects- including your own body! We practiced putting one hand in front of the other, close together, to get the most accurate measurement we could find. The kids were then given partners to work with and find objects to measure. They were then asked to compare results and think about why some answers may have been different.

Miss Schmidt and Tajanaye measure the table with their hands.

We also revisited something that the kids have worked on in the Big Studio with Mrs. Grotojan- trading cards! Trading cards are 2 1/2 by 3 1/2 blank cards that the children can decorate with various mediums to create works of art. We then have special trading days that the kids can share their work with friends and receive special pieces of art. The kids really enjoyed working on these cards during free choice times today.

Da'Sean and Kaitlyn work on trading cards.

Tags: art, friendship, problem solving