Friday, October 25, 2013

Learning and Exploring


 Understanding Subtraction

Students in room 101 are learning how to see the many possible interpretations of a subtraction equation.  This is achieved by experiencing numerous hands-on and visually appealing lessons focused on interpreting an equation such as 8 - 5 = 3 in the following representations:

1. Missing Part:

I have 8 pencils.  If 5 are on top of my desk, how many are inside?

2. Taking away from a whole:

I had 8 pencils.  I gave my sister 5.  How many do I have left?

3. Comparing Quantities:

I have 8 pencils.  My brother has 5 pencils.  How many more do I have?

Math Vocabulary

More than
Less than
Missing part
Compare
Minus

Students will later learn that addition and subtraction are inverse operations.  The concept of inverse operations is used throughout mathematics in ways ranging from checking one’s answers to solving algebraic equations.  We spent the past 2 weeks focusing on 1.) Missing Part

Students engaged in hands-on games and activities to explore and learn about this concept.
                                 

Writer’s Workshop, Reader’s Workshop, Science


Students continued to learn different spelling strategies such as using known words to spell new words, using the Fundations ABC chart for sounds and stretching out the sounds.  Students practiced these skills integrated with science and literacy.


Students began the Air and Weather unit by brainstorming and discussing what they already know and what they hope to learn.  Students were given the opportunities to explore bags of items for the first science exploration.  Through the exploration students learned new facts about air and came up with very insightful questions.








Students are continuing to learn about being active readers; thinking before, after and during reading.  As students were interested in extreme weather, for Reader’s Workshop students worked in small groups to be active readers and track their thinking for books about different weather types.  Each group presented their work along with the strategies they used as readers.   It was clear that students remembered the team work norms from the Disney World planning, as the outcome of the group work was impressive!











Air Vocabulary
Matter
Air
Gas
Invisible


Plan-Do-Review

This Friday we had out first day of Plan-Do-Review. Plan-Do-Review is a purposeful time for constructive play and social interaction through the use of center-based art activities (clay, paint, drawing), building activities (blocks, legos, shapes), as well as math and literacy games.  The structure follows a 3 part sequence: (planning time, work time, recall time). It includes a 10-minute period during which children plan what they want to do during work time (the area to visit, materials to use, and friends to play with); a 30 work time for children to carry out their plans (or shift to new activities that interest them); and another 5 minute period for reviewing and recalling with an adult and other children what they've done and learned. This process promotes independence, curiosity, decision-making, cooperation, creativity, and problem solving in young children. Donation items for Plan-Do-Review are always appreciated!


Fundations

Students learned about the closed syllable type. 

The closed syllable rule:

-    the syllable can only have 1 vowel
-    the vowel has to make a short sound
-    the vowel must be closed in by a consonant

Examples of closed syllables

cat
bin
it
napkin

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