Math

In math, we are working on strengthening our understanding of number sense. We use various games and tools in the classroom to work on these concepts with the students. This week, we really zoned in on understanding that a number can be broken apart different ways. For example, the number 7 can be parts of 3 and 4 or it can be parts of 5 and 2. To help learn this concept, we used hands-on manipulatives, math tools on the ActivBoard, and even students acting out math problems. We will continue to work on this next week.

Math centers

During our math time today, we worked at stations to enrich our math skills. We worked with games to reinforce writing addition and subtraction number sentences. We are learning the difference between the addition and subtraction symbols.

Lego board game and adding or taking away blocks on their lego tower

Using pictures to write the subtraction sentence

Subtraction bowling and writing the subtraction sentence

Isolating and identifying sounds

The students worked today to identify beginning and ending sounds. We also played a game identifying what part of the word had a specific sound, such as where is the "d" sound in the word "spider." They had to identify if it was at the beginning, middle, or end of the word.

Lost tooth subtraction

The children played a partner game in math. They had to roll the dice and figure out how many teeth their character lost. Then they wrote a subtraction sentence to go with it.

Snow Slime

 In science today, the children helped to make snow slime. We discussed the ingredients (borax, glue, water, and glitter). We made a hypothesis on what we thought would happen if we combine the ingredients. Then the children were able to pass around a small piece of the slime and they came up with describing words about the feel, smell, and look of it.

Sight word reader

Our sight word book is Can You See It?  When I first introduced the book today I covered the last word on each page with a post-it note. As we read it, the students looked at the picture for clues and helped me to sound out and write the word on the paper. Then we re-read the story to see if we had the correct words. This activity helped us with tracking print, looking at the pictures for clues, and identifying individual phonemes in words.

Corduroy

This week we will be focusing on the book Corduroy. This story is about the adventures of a little bear who has lost his button. We will be working on story sequencing, initial sound sorts, and writing activities. Below is a picture of a student completing the initial sound picture sort.

Isolating sounds and writing words

In Fundations this week, students have been tapping out sounds for three letter words. Now they are learning how to listen to the sounds and put the word together. They can put the three letter words together by writing or building the word. Their homework for the next 6 weeks will be practicing this skill at home with a variety of three letter words.

Our book this week: The Snowy Day

We have been focusing on the Ezra Jack Keats book of The Snowy Day. We have read the story several times. We have spent our time during small groups to do various enrichment work. Students have been answering questions based on story sequencing, main character, setting, and cause and effect.

(We will be reading the book Corduroy next week.)

Making snow in science

We began our science lesson by making a web to highlight all the information we know about snow. The children were able to describe that snow falls from the sky, it is cold, and how it is made from cold rain. Then I told the children we were going to make snow in the classroom!! I did an example on carpet. Then I put students into small groups of 2 or 3 kids. They worked together to add the ingredients together. Of course they enjoyed playing with it the most!!

Excellent Eagles Basketball Assembly

Our excellent eagle awards were given at the afternoon assembly. We had a special visitor who performed basketball tricks and taught the kids about working hard, persistence, and being kind to others. The kids (and grown-ups) had a great time!!

Subtraction

We began our math topic on subtraction today. The children were introduced to the concept and new math terms. We completed our math mats together. Then they had time to play partner games to work on more subtraction skills.