MathLast week we looked at solving subtraction stories. This week explored subtraction by knocking over cups. I began by placing 10 cups standing on top of each other. The children were told that they would knock over some of the cups and figure out how many cups were still standing. We had a blast knocking over cups. Then the children shared solution strategies that lead to their accurate counts. Some described drawing 10 cups, crossing out the 4 that were knocked over and counting the remaining cups. We then used the change-to-less diagram to summarize what took place. This diagram can help children organize their thinking when dealing with "taking from" situations, like Cup-Drop Subtraction.
The next day, we reviewed the change diagrams from the past two lessons. The children were told that today they would learn how to use symbols to explain what is happening to the numbers in the change diagrams. We learnt that in mathematics, the symbol + stands for the word add and + is read plus The symbol = is read is equal to. It was explained that 7 + 3 = 10 is called a number model, or number sentence. We discussed the meaning of each symbol as we related it back to the context of the penny-drop activity being modelled. It was explained that the total on the left side of the equal sign has the same value as the total on the right side of the equal sign. Students then worked with partners to do a penny drop addition using number models. They were encouraged to use the Strategy Wall to find the sum. They were then asked to record their number models on their slates. To practice using number models, we used objects to tell number stories. I think that number stories are important for several reasons. People like to tell stories. We tell stories about mathematics, about mathematicians, and about doing mathematics. We do this firstly because we enjoy it. We do it secondly because the students like it. And we do it thirdly because I believe that it is an effective instructional tool in the teaching of mathematics. I am not alone in this. There is ample literature to support the enjoyment of storytelling on the part of both the story teller and the story listener. There is also an abundance of anecdotal data that suggest “telling a story creates more vivid, powerful and memorable images in a listener’s mind than does any other means of delivery of the same material” (Haven, 2000, p. xvii). Aside from the educational value, however, there is also beauty. There is beauty in a story well told, and there is beauty of a story that can move a listener to think, to imagine, and to learn. We will be using number stories throughout the year to work on language, problem solving, and seeing math in real-life stories. Have your child use objects at home to tell you math stories that involve adding to, and taking away from. Language ArtsOur phonics focus this week was on r-controlled vowels, or bossy r as we like to call it in first grade. When a vowel is followed by an r, the r changes the sound that the vowel makes. The vowel is called an r-controlled vowel. We refer to the “r” as the “bossy r” because the r “bosses” the vowel to make a new sound. When “a” is followed by r, it makes the sound you hear in “bar” or “car”. When “o” is followed by the r, it makes the sound you hear in the word “corn”. “ir”, “ur” and “er” make the same sound /er/ as in the words “bird”, “fur” and “her”. It is important to teach students to recognize and practice words containing r-controlled vowels.. Because there are so many variations, students need to become familiar with the look of familiar words, rather than memorizing spelling or pronunciation rules. We played several games this week to practice this skill. shown above is a bossy r 'connect 4' game, that required students to properly read bossy r words, and look for line patterns. On Wednesday, we received a "package" from the /er/, /ir/, and /ur/ super triplets! They sent us a letter, pictures of themselves, super fun hats, and word cards, The letter explained that if we wanted to become a super heroes with our friends, we would have to sort and identify the r-controlled vowel words. We had to practice with our friends first, who got to wear these super cool hats and be our supER leadERs! We then ran a relay race where students sorted their words in groups, and had to bring them to the super triplet to see if they had sorted them correctly. We also rotated through a number of centres playing games to reinforce this concept. We have been using game based lessons to teach, practice and apply new skills and knowledge. The academic results and progression in Phonics as a result of our game based approach has been truly amazing. If you would like to borrow some of these games to play at home. Please come see me. During our Daily 5 time this week, we unlocked a new activity; Work on Writing. Students leant about the many different things that writers write. This week students chose to write letters to spread kindness to members of the school community. This activity, however is based on choice. Very soon, the children will be choosing what they will be writing. Unit of InquiryThis week, we finished our unit of inquiry. We spread kindness all over campus, decorating Dr. Aina's door, Miss Lalaina's desk, making cards, and putting a poster in the cafeteria that outlines how other students can spread kindness. We also reflected on our entire unit of inquiry, and made sure that all of our questions from the beginning of the unit had been answered. It was great for students to take a full look at the inquiry cycle and see how we moved from the "known" to the "new." At the end of the week, we looked at all of our teaching resources for the next unit of inquiry. As students passed them around, I started to hear "oh, now I know what a 'life cycle' is." Students then wrote and illustrated what they think a life cycle is, and what they know about them. Other Exciting NewsThis week, our amazing elementary principal Mr. Vis went out and purchased carpets and bulletin boards for our classrooms. The environment is brighter, quieter, and more organized. I am so happy with the new feel of our room. It is amazing how a few little things can make a big difference. Elementary student council also began this week. This is a great leadership opportunity for our little learners. Nina and Seoyeong are our first two student council reps, but many students will rotate through as the year progresses. Our new playground equipment arrived! All learning; social, emotional, motor and cognitive, is accelerated, facilitated, and fuelled by the pleasure of play. I am so excited about all of the amazing things that students will learn and do on this equipment. The ASA had a guest speaker, Norah Mishanec, in this week. "Nora is from New York State. She is currently living here as a Peace Corps Volunteer. She always liked bugs and as a kid she raised butterflies in her backyard. She started beekeeping six years ago and she thinks honeybees are the coolest. She was an exchange student in France her junior year of high school. She always liked studying English and French in school but when she got to college she discovered a love for science and majored in psychology and biology. After attending Wellesley College she won a scholarship to study edible insects in Latin America and Asia. She's eaten over 80 species of insects." Having Norah in to talk about insects was a perfect provocation for our new unit on life cycles, where we will be exploring the life cycles of insects, plants, and animals. The kids loved it! Thanks for another amazing week!
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March 2018
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