Dear Families,
The Kindness Bear joined our class at the beginning of the month. Each day he is in a different spot in the room and has a message for our class as a different way to spread kindness that day. This week we wrote notes to Mr. Trifilio telling him what we love about Orchard School. We also gave sharpened pencils to each student in Mrs. Barone's Kindergarten class with a suggestion of how they could spread kindness, too!
Decemeber is here and winter is finally creeping up on us! Due to the mix of rain and snow that we have had the playground and fields are sometimes wet when the kids are on them. Please send your child to school with boots, a coat, a hat, snowpants, and gloves/mittens every day. Indoor shoes are needed, as well, and a pair can be left in the classroom if this is helpful.
Math
In math we have started our Decemeber Number Corner calendar and activities. From fractions to measuring mass to rounding to multiplication problems, this short month explores a variety of strands, skills, and strategies.
In our calendar pattern students are exploring fractions. It features halves, thirds, fourths, sixths, eighths, and twelfths. Each day another amount is added to a square until the square is complete. We have been been discussing how to find equivalent fractions and equations for fractions. EX: 3/4 = 1/4 + 1/4 + 1/4
We have also started Unit 3 which reviews and extends students' thinking about place value, multi-digit addition and subtraction, and problem solving. This week we've been focusing on rounding 2-and 3-digit numbers to the neartest ten and the nearest hundred. This skill is extended into the realm of computation as student used rounding as a way to estimate and to quickly check to see if their sums are reasonable.
The Kindness Bear joined our class at the beginning of the month. Each day he is in a different spot in the room and has a message for our class as a different way to spread kindness that day. This week we wrote notes to Mr. Trifilio telling him what we love about Orchard School. We also gave sharpened pencils to each student in Mrs. Barone's Kindergarten class with a suggestion of how they could spread kindness, too!
Decemeber is here and winter is finally creeping up on us! Due to the mix of rain and snow that we have had the playground and fields are sometimes wet when the kids are on them. Please send your child to school with boots, a coat, a hat, snowpants, and gloves/mittens every day. Indoor shoes are needed, as well, and a pair can be left in the classroom if this is helpful.
Math
In math we have started our Decemeber Number Corner calendar and activities. From fractions to measuring mass to rounding to multiplication problems, this short month explores a variety of strands, skills, and strategies.
In our calendar pattern students are exploring fractions. It features halves, thirds, fourths, sixths, eighths, and twelfths. Each day another amount is added to a square until the square is complete. We have been been discussing how to find equivalent fractions and equations for fractions. EX: 3/4 = 1/4 + 1/4 + 1/4
We have also started Unit 3 which reviews and extends students' thinking about place value, multi-digit addition and subtraction, and problem solving. This week we've been focusing on rounding 2-and 3-digit numbers to the neartest ten and the nearest hundred. This skill is extended into the realm of computation as student used rounding as a way to estimate and to quickly check to see if their sums are reasonable.
Science
We are continuing our unit on Force and Motion by studying magnets. This week, we explored compasses and (tried) to create temporary magnets. Students have been exploring magnets to find the definitions to vocabulary words like...
We are continuing our unit on Force and Motion by studying magnets. This week, we explored compasses and (tried) to create temporary magnets. Students have been exploring magnets to find the definitions to vocabulary words like...
- Repel
- Attact
- Magnetic force
- Poles
- Permanent vs. Temporary magnet
- Electromagnet
Reading
Students have continued their independent reading of nonfiction texts. We have been working with partners and reading many different informational texts in order to become "experts" and teach our peers about what we are learning. We've been paying close attention to the main ideas and supporting details in order to unpack all of the important information.
We also started our new read aloud this week, Rump: The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin. Here is the synopsis: In a magic kingdom where your name is your destiny, 12-year-old Rump is the butt of everyone's joke. But when he finds an old spinning wheel, his luck seems to change. Rump discovers he has a gift for spinning straw into gold. His best friend, Red Riding Hood, warns him that magic is dangerous, and she’s right. With each thread he spins, he weaves himself deeper into a curse.
To break the spell, Rump must go on a perilous quest, fighting off pixies, trolls, poison apples, and a wickedly foolish queen. The odds are against him, but with courage and friendship—and a cheeky sense of humor—he just might triumph in the end.
Students are so engaged during our read alouds. We have incredible discussions and their insights are one of the things the things I look forward to most each day.
Students have continued their independent reading of nonfiction texts. We have been working with partners and reading many different informational texts in order to become "experts" and teach our peers about what we are learning. We've been paying close attention to the main ideas and supporting details in order to unpack all of the important information.
We also started our new read aloud this week, Rump: The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin. Here is the synopsis: In a magic kingdom where your name is your destiny, 12-year-old Rump is the butt of everyone's joke. But when he finds an old spinning wheel, his luck seems to change. Rump discovers he has a gift for spinning straw into gold. His best friend, Red Riding Hood, warns him that magic is dangerous, and she’s right. With each thread he spins, he weaves himself deeper into a curse.
To break the spell, Rump must go on a perilous quest, fighting off pixies, trolls, poison apples, and a wickedly foolish queen. The odds are against him, but with courage and friendship—and a cheeky sense of humor—he just might triumph in the end.
Students are so engaged during our read alouds. We have incredible discussions and their insights are one of the things the things I look forward to most each day.
Writing
Students are going to be beginning nonfiction writing soon. In Room 24 we talk a lot about how it is okay to make mistakes and how it acutally helps our brain GROW when we are challenged. So, our nonfiction writing is going to be on inventions that were created by mistake. Such as: Post-Its, the frisbee, plastic, fireworks, and the ice cream cone! Students will pick an invention, research it and then write a report.
Here is a video from YouCubed that the students have watched that talks about how critical mistakes are to our learning : vimeo.com/177320915
Have a wonderful weekend,
Deirdre Phalon