IPS/Butler University Laboratory School

Our finished applesauce!

This past week we have been reading a lot of non-fiction books, specifically How To books.  On Friday, we read a How To Make Applesauce book.  Today, during Writer’s Workshop, we revisited that book and rewrote the steps ourselves.  After we had the procedure crystal clear we made our own applesauce.  Each student had a bag to dump into the crockpot to help make the fun treat.  After a few hours of cooking, we ate our applesauce for snack!

CJ and BreAnna added apples to our crockpot.

Our class really enjoyed their treat!

While our main focus in Writer’s Workshop was How To Books, I also noticed some impressive work during the kid’s independent time.  During our non-fiction unit our class has been talking a lot about using resources to help you write.  I asked many times, “How are you supposed to write about penguins if you do not know that much about them?  Use resources!”  I was so proud today when I walked around the class and saw nearly half of the class doing just that!  They were looking through books to get facts and help with illustrations. The kids are becoming such great writers!

Nytaiya is using a bird book to help in her writing.

David is using the book to help with his penguin illustrations!

Max & Reid are using snake books to add more facts to their writing!

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.

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.

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."