This week we looked at this photo. We learned more about "Fair Ways to Play." These two girls are good friends but they wanted to play different things. Our class talked about what they could do. They decided to take turns and play with lincoln logs for a bit, then switch to puppets. We talked about this problem during our choice time and how we can take turns, share, or trade.
I have made it a priority to do a read aloud every morning after our morning meeting. The students have enjoyed so many books and it is a great way to start our day off. I love modeling my thinking, using great expression and allowing students to hear fluent reading. I read stories from all different genres, fiction and nonfiction. Here is one of our reads from this week.
It was also Read Across America Week celebrating Dr. Seuss. We read many Dr. Seuss books this week and made Cat in the Hat hats to celebrate.
This week in math we learned more about counting on. We learned different strategies such as counting up. Whisper 5 in your head and use your fingers to count up to 10 to see how many more make 10. We talked a lot about what two numbers make 10. We used a strategy with drawing circles and comparing to see how many more there are in one group.
Calendar time!
In science this week, we learned more about force, speed and direction. Students used matchbox cars to practice how much force they need to try and get to the finish line. They recorded four tries and had to use more or less force each time.
We also designed our own galimoto. Students watched several videos this week of kids from Africa creating galimoto toys. Students put on their engineer hats and were given wire, pipe cleaners, popsicle sticks, wooden dowels and wheels to create a toy that could push and pull. They had fun, but it was challenging and frustrating for some. They persevered and we all shared our designs in the end and showed our galimoto push and pull.
This week in reading we continued our reading playdates. Students enjoyed playing pretend and acting out their stories.
In phonics, we focused on digraph sounds and wrapped up our vowel unit. We celebrated our graduation from our Vowel Power Unit! We all walked down the aisle with Mabel, our phonics mascot, and received our diploma. We played Pomp and Circumstance and students shook hands to receive their diplomas. It was great fun!
We sang this song to celebrate!
We wrote words to Mabels, graduation story. Students wrote the sentences on their whiteboards.
In writing, we are writing about problems and solutions or reasons to support our problem. This week, we focused on writing letters. We talked about having an audience. We looked at the format of writing a letter with a greeting, body and signature.
Mrs. Arnold came and taught us more about self-care. We practiced some deep breathing meditation and read Zen Hen. Thank you Mrs. Arnold for helping us learn how to calm our bodies and minds when we have uncomfortable feelings and for always reminding us that we are loved and important.
We had two assemblies this week. The first one was Dances of India. The students loved watching the dancing and practicing the hand motions used often in Indian dance.
Today, we watched the Show Me Jumpers from Fort Zumwalt district come perform to launch our American Heart Association fundraiser. They were exptremely talented!
Choice Time! We spent some time outside on these beautiful almost spring days.
Reminders:
- Walk in the Park is Wednesday at 9:00. Meet us at the park!
- I look forward to seeing you at conferences next Tuesday and Thursday. Please remember Thursday is an early release day and Friday there is no school to start Spring Break!
Have a beautiful weekend!
Caroline McGee
