Math began this morning by discussing the words longer and shorter. Each student was given a 5" piece of pink paper and were asked to find things around the room that were longer and shorter than the paper, and record them in their Math Journals. After that, students explored measurement using non-standard units. The children used the items from the measurement kits (tooth picks, cubes, paper clips) to measure a variety of objects outlined in their journals. Miss Soa and I allowed children to experiment and make mistakes, not directing them how to measure (This is so hard for me, but so important for the process). We encouraged our little learners to discuss how to measure each item. For example, the children discussed which direction to measure across a table, whether they should mix units, or what to do when they needed only part of a unit to complete their measurement. Miss Soa and I ran frantically around the classroom recording their questions and processes to incorporate them into our group discussion later in the lesson. When the children finished, we displayed several of their completed pages so that they could easily compare results. We discussed why the results are not always the same. For example:
Together, we then modelled some of the errors children made when measuring on the page. For example, overlapping the paper clips, leaving gaps between paper clips, failing to cover the entire length of the pencil, and mixing large and small clips.
During our Unit of Inquiry block, we continued to explore the biology and life cycle of a bee. We watched the Magic School Bus: In a Beehive, and then went out to the garden to see if we could find any bees. Kya and Asher found a bee sipping nectar in one of our big purple flowers. We were fortunate enough to catch it in our insect viewer to take a closer look. While looking at the bees, we generated a lot more in depth inquires about bees that Miss Soa and I were unable to answer. We followed this inquiry by breaking into groups to write down questions to ask Mr. Kresco when we go to see his beehive on Friday. To learn more about Mr. Kresco and his bees, you can click here and/or watch the video below
0 Comments
We have started our unit on Measurement. We began with a 'Math Talk' looking at the pictures of the two trees above. What I love about 'Math Talks' is watching students mentally think about a Math problem and how they would explain their answer to their peers. It is so important in Math and for language development for students to be able to explain their thinking. Afterward I ask students to come up and explain what they think the answer is. This is always great when there is no right answer (like the which tree is the biggest question). One of the most widely held misconceptions about mathematics is that a math problem has a unique correct answer. By engaging in activities like this, I hope to break this belief early on. This activity also helped us develop some vocabulary using words like: taller, wider, shorter, longer, fatter, etc. This week we will be measuring a variety of things using standard and non-standard linear measurments. During our writers' workshop, we have been continuing to craft personal narrative stories. Over the past couple days, we have been learning about how to revise our writing by digging deeper and adding details. I am so impressed by the improvement I am seeing since our last round of writing. I am excited to get to the publishing stage, so that your little one can share their work with you once more. After a student inquiry on 'why some books have different authors and illustrators,' I have reached out to a number of art communities to try and find 'real artists' to illustrate our stories. We are also carrying on with our novel study on the Wizard of Oz. With the variety of books, video clips, graphic novels, and novels, this is a fantastic way to differentiate listening comprehension. If you are looking to read this to your child at home, you can sign up for a free one month membership of Epic, and find the novel there. On Monday, Frances taught us about pollen and the importance of pollination. Bees are one of the biggest contributors of pollen from one plant to another. First, our little learners went outside to find pollen on flowers in our gardens. Next Frances gave each of student a little bee to put on their fingers. Students fingers represented the bees legs. She then gave each child a flower and some cheese balls. Students were instructed to eat the cheese balls, but not to lick their fingers. After students ate the cheese balls they were told to fly their bees from flower to flower, wiping off their hands on each one. This model taught out little ones how pollen moves on insects legs to pollinate other plants. We finished off by reading a story called 'The Reason for a Flower.' Today we watched some videos about how bees make honey from nectar that they collect from flowers. Students searched the gardens for some expertly hidden "nectar" and used pipettes to suck it up and transfer it to their "hive." We learned that it takes many trips to fill up a hive with nectar.
Once we filled up our hive, we used our wings to fan the nectar just like bees, in order to make some honey. We are having a great week of hands on, guided inquiry. See you tonight for the concert (weather permitting) Please return bee hive field trip forms as soon as possible. If your little one lost their form between school and home, please let me know, so that I can provide you with a new one. This week in Math, we finished Unit 3 on Number Stories. I will be marking and sending home assessments next week. What is so great about our Everyday Math program is that it takes a spiral approach to Mathematical learning, so that we continue to address standards and concepts learned in this unit throughout the year. I encourage you to analyze the assessment and ask any questions you need to help provide your child with any necessary additional support at home. I have included the family letter for our next unit below on length and addition facts. All home links can be found on your child's Everyday Math page. You can access it through the resources section above. During Language Arts, we have begun our second bend of the personal narratives unit. Students are now learning additional writing, revising, edition and publishing techniques and strategies to write better narratives. I look forward to working through the writing process with each of your children, and when we are finished we will have another publishing party, using a different format. This week we began an inquiry on bees. Our fabulous teacher apprentice, Frances has planned and implemented this unit meticulously so far. To begin this unit, Frances read us a book called 'Buzz.' After this, we looked at many different books about bees and thought about what we wondered about bees. After discussing and writing down our inquiries, we learned about the parts of a bee through sining a song and using our body parts. Following this we labelled the parts of a bee on a diagram and made models of bees using play dough. The next day, Frances had students work in small groups to sequence pictures showing each part of the life cycle of a bee as best they could. Following this, she read a book, and students checked to see if they sequenced the cycle correctly. After this, students wrote about the life cycle of a bee independently before engaging in a really cool activity.
When Frances came into the room on Wednesday, she hid a box of cookies. After sequencing the life cycle of a bee she called students back to the carpet area. She explained that one student would be the queen bee laying eggs, that one group would build the hive around her, and that the other group would go looking for food (nectar). She also told students that when they found food, they had to use gestures to get the other bees attention and get them all to the food in order to bring it back to the queen. She further went on to explain that bees communicate thought movements (dancing). This was such a great interactive way to teach this concept an the kids loved it. I have attached some photos below. |
ASA First GradersWe are caring, balanced , reflective, openminded, risk-taking, knowledgeable, principled, thinkers, communicators, inquirers, explorers and learners. Archives
March 2017
Categories |