IPS/Butler University Laboratory School

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.

Today, Mr. Nored, had his first day with us, and let me tell you he just fit right into our little family!  The kiddos just loved having him there so I am excited for what is to come next with him being in our class now.

So, the past week we have been measuring items around us with various tools (hands, feet, inchworms, and rulers).  This week we are still exploring measuring but looking more closely at rulers (inches inparticular).  Today, we measured the leaves of our plants we planted last week.  We predicted how many inches we think the leaves will grow by next week when we measure them again.  Jamari said, “It’s gonna be 8 inches.”  Jonah said, “I think it will grow 2 inches.”  We will see next week how much more it grew…if it grows. 🙂

Some friends working together to measure and graph our measurement of our plant.

Mr. Nored playing Jenga with some friends as they come into class this morning!

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.