Jan
19
2012
Mrs. Argus
Miss Robinson helps Ruth try a new technique for her trading card.
- Regan experiments with the ruler.
This week during math, we have practiced measuring things in many different ways. We began measuring items around our room with our own hands and then compared results with our friends. We’ve had several conversations about why the results were sometimes different. After investigating the different techniques of measurement, items measured, and then eventually one another’s hands, our friends decided that results were not consistent because people’s hands are different sizes, thus, different results! After our discovery that non-standard measurement can be inconsistent, we worked with a manipulative called the inch worms (you might remember we measured our 24 foot airplane with these) and measured different items around the room with inches in this way. Today, Miss Schmidt and I introduced the ruler to our group. We began by letting the kids investigate and experiment with the ruler. What did they notice? What markings are on the ruler? Is it the same size as anything around you? Tajanaye noticed something very powerful- “It matches the inch worms. I can line then up like this!” Tajanaye then lined up 12 inch worms next to the 12 inch ruler. The kids all looked in amazement- the ruler is made up of inches, 12 inches to be in fact! Ruth then brought up the fact that the other side of the ruler had different markings than the inch side (which had the numbers 1-12 to indicate each inch) and Ruth observed that these numbers went up to 30. She suggested that they looked awfully close to half inches. She also noted that, “No matter which way you look at it, both sides are still equal to 12 inches!” What a fabulous observation.
- Tajanaye explains her find.
After our excitement with math, the kids were reminded that tomorrow, we will have our first official trading card event in our classroom. After morning meeting, we will review our trading agreements and take time to share our self-created cards with one another. Many friends have been working on cards hard all week and are anxious to get trading! I know I am excited for some new cards from my friends. Today during Big Studio time, Mrs. Grotojan and her student teacher, Miss Robinson, introduced our friends to a new technique for their trading cards- embroidering them. The cards look beautiful when done this way. What a fabulous new technique for us to experiment with. We look forward to introducing the kids to other mediums as well for their cards.
Tags: arithmetic, friendship, problem solving, think
Jan
19
2012
Mrs. Bucher
We read a How To book called “I Love to Paint” today. While reading the book one of the pages talked about blot paintings., The children thought it was SO cool so we decided to do them during our Free Choice time. There were some beautiful paintings that were created so I am excited to put them up in the room!
We have a new game in our room called Score Four. It is a game where we have to try and get four of the same beads in a row to win. Jonah, Saa, and Isaac just LOVED this game. It took strategy and thought to try and get four beads in a row!
We had so many friends that wrote How-To books today which is what we have been talking about this week. We had some How To Draw a Car, How to Draw a Princess, How to Draw a Kite. They were really getting the concept of teaching someone else the steps to make something! It was great to see!
Playing Score Four!
Mekhi and Miss Templeton working on the blot painting!
Jan
18
2012
Mrs. Bucher
Today we started making grass gloves! What are grass gloves you say? Well, you take a clear glove and fill in each finger of the glove with one damp cotton ball. Then you put some grass seeds in each finger of the glove. We hang them up on the window and hopefully watch the grass grow!
The friends really were interested in doing these grass gloves so we will see what happens and if anything grows!
Oliver measuring some items while we talk about labeling "inches" after we measure something
Malachi working on the grass gloves
Jan
18
2012
Mrs. Argus
- Kaitlyn and Messi share markers during read, rest, write. They negotiate who will use which color first, and so on.
- Monica ties the shoes of her friend, Da’Sean.
- Ruth and Regan begin a game and invite friends to play. Everyone is included!
Throughout the past two weeks, we have been celebrating acts of kindness and friendship. When we notice classmates acting like a friend, we are documenting with a picture and a link added to our friendship chain (the link having writing describing the act of friendship). I wanted to share some of the acts of friendship from today. They are wonderful.
Tags: friendship, project
Jan
17
2012
Miss Estridge
Last week, we began exploring measurement in math workshop. Students had the opportunity to measure items around the room with their hands, feet, and a ruler. They learned the importance and need for standard units of measurement. This week, we are diving into the way to use a ruler correctly.
Aaliyah uses a ruler to measure a block. She makes sure to start the end of the block at the 0 on the ruler.
Also, today, we began a science exploration. Starting this week, students will have a science experiment as one of their free choices every day. By the end of the week, everyone will be expected to have done the experiment at least one time. Each experiment is designed to focus on one or more science topics. This week, students are learning about the scientific practice of making predictions. They are given a penny and have to predict how many water drops will fit onto the penny before it spills over the edge. At the end of the week, we plan to have a whole group conversation about predicting.
Leah and Paiton carefully add one drop of water at a time to their pennies. Paiton predicted that it could hold 22 water drops, and Leah predicted 20.
DayTwon uses an eyedropper to slowly put water droplets onto his penny. He counts the water droplets as he goes.
