In language arts we practiced spelling and writing words ending in ING, ANG, ONG, and UNG. These are challenging for some children. Words for review at home include spring, bang, sing, song, sang, hung, long, bring, hang, and kings.
In honor of the lunchtime beach party our poetry this morning was called "Sea Shell". I set out shells that my family has collected over the years and the children drew shells to decorate the poem. The results were beautiful! Ms. Rossbach has certainly done a wonderful job.
We began math class with a sheet to review the addition facts. I'm sending home one addition and two subtraction sheets for review over break. This is not required homework and need not be returned to school. The children also played a game to practice the skill of identifying odd and even numbers. I've included a copy of the game if you would like to play it at home.
In science we took a look at the basic digestive system and it's major parts. Then we played Food Group Bingo.
The annual beach party is one of the highlights of the year. Once again it's an example of how a very simple idea can create memories. We simply play some beach music, distribute leis and have the children eat lunch on beach towels. Such fun! Enjoy the pictures.
Barb
In honor of the lunchtime beach party our poetry this morning was called "Sea Shell". I set out shells that my family has collected over the years and the children drew shells to decorate the poem. The results were beautiful! Ms. Rossbach has certainly done a wonderful job.
We began math class with a sheet to review the addition facts. I'm sending home one addition and two subtraction sheets for review over break. This is not required homework and need not be returned to school. The children also played a game to practice the skill of identifying odd and even numbers. I've included a copy of the game if you would like to play it at home.
In science we took a look at the basic digestive system and it's major parts. Then we played Food Group Bingo.
The annual beach party is one of the highlights of the year. Once again it's an example of how a very simple idea can create memories. We simply play some beach music, distribute leis and have the children eat lunch on beach towels. Such fun! Enjoy the pictures.
Barb
This week our Famous Face is George Washington Carver. Ask your child about his early childhood.
The math conference yesterday was great. I have many new activities to help children understand number sense. I'll be using them in math class during the rest of the year. Today we began looking at odd and even numbers. Many people assume there is not much to learn about odd and even. After all, most of us have memorized the rule that if a number ends in 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8 it is even, and all other numbers are odd. While this rule is important, knowing it does not mean that one understands the concept. At school we'll do some activities to help the children construct a deeper understanding of the mathematical terms odd and even. One way to determine if a group of objects contains an odd or even number of things is to FAIR SHARE the objects into two separate piles. If this divides the original pile evenly, without an extra one, there is an even number of objects. If there is one left over there is an odd number. In math class each child began with a handful of pennies. Then she determined whether there was an odd or even number by the fair share method rather than by counting. THEN she counted to verify.
In language arts we practiced words with CH. If your child needs extra review she can read and write the following: inch, chick, bunch, March, chapter, and porch.
During health class we continued investigating the nutrition labels and using two types of balance scales to measure objects. This introduction to food labels is intended to interest the kids in what they are eating. Much of the information is open to interpretation as to what is healthy and what is not. I hope that discussions are happening at home and that you have the opportunity to discuss this topic with your children. Please see the note below, and in folders today, explaining our food group lunch tomorrow.
Yesterday the children shared the story of the princess and the pea; enjoy the project found in folders today. I'm happy that the children remain focused despite the upcoming two-week break:)
Barb
PS As part of our nutrition unit we will be having a special lunch tomorrow. The challenge for all the students will be to have something on their tray from each of the five food groups. A secondary goal is to have each child try and new food that they have not tried before. We will go to the cafeteria a little early to give everyone time to choose their food. Then we will come back to the classroom and lunch together while talking about their choices. If your child brings cold lunch we would like to include them and give them hot lunch for this day at no cost. If they would prefer to bring their own lunch from home that is also ok and we will look for all of the food groups in their lunch.
The cafeteria menu for tomorrow is:
Hamburgers, veggie burgers
Potato chips
Steamed Peas
PB and J or Cheese sandwich
Various salads
Fresh fruit
Fresh baked cookies.
Barb and I think this is a great way to apply what we are learning.
Scott
The math conference yesterday was great. I have many new activities to help children understand number sense. I'll be using them in math class during the rest of the year. Today we began looking at odd and even numbers. Many people assume there is not much to learn about odd and even. After all, most of us have memorized the rule that if a number ends in 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8 it is even, and all other numbers are odd. While this rule is important, knowing it does not mean that one understands the concept. At school we'll do some activities to help the children construct a deeper understanding of the mathematical terms odd and even. One way to determine if a group of objects contains an odd or even number of things is to FAIR SHARE the objects into two separate piles. If this divides the original pile evenly, without an extra one, there is an even number of objects. If there is one left over there is an odd number. In math class each child began with a handful of pennies. Then she determined whether there was an odd or even number by the fair share method rather than by counting. THEN she counted to verify.
In language arts we practiced words with CH. If your child needs extra review she can read and write the following: inch, chick, bunch, March, chapter, and porch.
During health class we continued investigating the nutrition labels and using two types of balance scales to measure objects. This introduction to food labels is intended to interest the kids in what they are eating. Much of the information is open to interpretation as to what is healthy and what is not. I hope that discussions are happening at home and that you have the opportunity to discuss this topic with your children. Please see the note below, and in folders today, explaining our food group lunch tomorrow.
Yesterday the children shared the story of the princess and the pea; enjoy the project found in folders today. I'm happy that the children remain focused despite the upcoming two-week break:)
Barb
PS As part of our nutrition unit we will be having a special lunch tomorrow. The challenge for all the students will be to have something on their tray from each of the five food groups. A secondary goal is to have each child try and new food that they have not tried before. We will go to the cafeteria a little early to give everyone time to choose their food. Then we will come back to the classroom and lunch together while talking about their choices. If your child brings cold lunch we would like to include them and give them hot lunch for this day at no cost. If they would prefer to bring their own lunch from home that is also ok and we will look for all of the food groups in their lunch.
The cafeteria menu for tomorrow is:
Hamburgers, veggie burgers
Potato chips
Steamed Peas
PB and J or Cheese sandwich
Various salads
Fresh fruit
Fresh baked cookies.
Barb and I think this is a great way to apply what we are learning.
Scott
This morning, as I was hustling to get out of the house in order to get to work on time, our AuPair from Japan approached me and asked, in his extremely polite way if he I had time to answer a question. "Sure," I responded. "Ah, if I may please ask, why do you choose to live here instead of in Miami?" Yes, it has been a long cold winter. I tried to assure him that the end is in sight.
Spring break is fast approaching! Please remember that children learning to read should practice on a daily basis, even during break if possible. If you are traveling out of town perhaps you can pack a few paperback books and make reading time a regular part of the day.
Today in health we completed labeling the food guide pyramid and talked about foods in each group. Next week we will be looking at nutrition labels so each child is asked to bring in on Monday 3-5 nutrition labels from foods they enjoy.
In math class we continued to practice with calculators. The children really enjoy the calculator technology! The "cross number" puzzle was a fun challenge. On Monday I'll be attending a math conference. It focuses on math skills for lower elementary grades so I should return with some great new ideas and projects. The lesson I left for the substitute introduces negative numbers.
As mentioned above, I won't be here on Monday. The substitute has many years of experience in primary grades and I have left a fun language arts lesson so I think the children will have a good day.
The Daily Message will resume next Tuesday. Have a great weekend!
Barb
Spring break is fast approaching! Please remember that children learning to read should practice on a daily basis, even during break if possible. If you are traveling out of town perhaps you can pack a few paperback books and make reading time a regular part of the day.
Today in health we completed labeling the food guide pyramid and talked about foods in each group. Next week we will be looking at nutrition labels so each child is asked to bring in on Monday 3-5 nutrition labels from foods they enjoy.
In math class we continued to practice with calculators. The children really enjoy the calculator technology! The "cross number" puzzle was a fun challenge. On Monday I'll be attending a math conference. It focuses on math skills for lower elementary grades so I should return with some great new ideas and projects. The lesson I left for the substitute introduces negative numbers.
As mentioned above, I won't be here on Monday. The substitute has many years of experience in primary grades and I have left a fun language arts lesson so I think the children will have a good day.
The Daily Message will resume next Tuesday. Have a great weekend!
Barb
The children have been working very hard on the subtraction facts, so today I told them that we would have some "calculator fun" in math class. And, fun, it was! First we reviewed a sheet from earlier in the year where the children practiced entering data. Then they used the repeat factor (the equals key) to count by 2's, 3's, 4's, 30's and 200's. This is a great way to practice this skill, as it's self-correcting. Children who practice this skill will find learning the multiplication facts a piece of cake. Finally we used the calculators to "write" words. The children loved this activity. I suggested they might see how many other words they could write on the calculator this evening. If your child works on this activity, please remind her to bring the paper with the words to school tomorrow. Who knew that learning to use a math tool could be so much fun!
Today in science/health class we used our 'rainbow filters' to make a flower. Next I introduced the class to the food guide pyramid, MyPyramid.gov, explaining why the pyramid is set up as it is. We began a discussion about grains. During this unit it is helpful to talk with your kids about the foods they eat and the various food groups they are a part of. Tomorrow I will ask the kids to collect 3-4 different food labels from some of their most often eaten foods and bring them to school on Monday.
We learned that Amelia Earhart achieved many "firsts" in the field of aviation.
Barb
Today in science/health class we used our 'rainbow filters' to make a flower. Next I introduced the class to the food guide pyramid, MyPyramid.gov, explaining why the pyramid is set up as it is. We began a discussion about grains. During this unit it is helpful to talk with your kids about the foods they eat and the various food groups they are a part of. Tomorrow I will ask the kids to collect 3-4 different food labels from some of their most often eaten foods and bring them to school on Monday.
We learned that Amelia Earhart achieved many "firsts" in the field of aviation.
Barb
This morning we learned about limericks. First we enjoyed several, including two written by Edward Lear. Then the children composed their own limericks by filling in the blanks. You might see if your child can remember how many lines are in a limerick and which lines rhyme. The children really enjoyed the humor of the limericks.
We completed the final subtraction facts in math class. We do not expect that the children have mastered all the facts at this point. However, if your child continues to practice for two minutes each evening, she will be a step ahead for second grade. During practice it's helpful to remind her to consider related facts. For instance, if she knows that 17-8=9, she also knows that 17-9=8.
Today in health class a group of upper school students who participate in a group called Peer Leaders led a 'listening skills' workshop for first graders. (They do many things to demonstrate leadership skills among their peers.) Through games and activities they demonstrated ways to help students get their minds and bodies ready to listen. A big point that was made was listening can improve...with practice. Over the next few weeks, Mrs. Meland and I, will be encouraging improved listening with the use of a 'star listener chart' and the various strategies we learned today. Ask your child about it.
You might be interested in how Amelia Earhart's childhood compared to that of other girls of her generation. If so, your child can tell you all about it. (The children especially enjoyed the story of the homemade roller coaster.)
Barb
We completed the final subtraction facts in math class. We do not expect that the children have mastered all the facts at this point. However, if your child continues to practice for two minutes each evening, she will be a step ahead for second grade. During practice it's helpful to remind her to consider related facts. For instance, if she knows that 17-8=9, she also knows that 17-9=8.
Today in health class a group of upper school students who participate in a group called Peer Leaders led a 'listening skills' workshop for first graders. (They do many things to demonstrate leadership skills among their peers.) Through games and activities they demonstrated ways to help students get their minds and bodies ready to listen. A big point that was made was listening can improve...with practice. Over the next few weeks, Mrs. Meland and I, will be encouraging improved listening with the use of a 'star listener chart' and the various strategies we learned today. Ask your child about it.
You might be interested in how Amelia Earhart's childhood compared to that of other girls of her generation. If so, your child can tell you all about it. (The children especially enjoyed the story of the homemade roller coaster.)
Barb
Yesterday in math the children created the March reading calendar. Today they did some calendar review in their math book. Because we have been working with the calendar once a month for the reading project, they are quite skilled and had no trouble with the problems in the book.
Today in health class we began our unit on nutrition by sharing an edition of Scholastic News. This edition deals with the fact that scientists are discovering that different colors of fruits and vegetables are beneficial for certain areas of the body. During this unit we will be working with the new food pyramid's daily recommendations for healthy variety in our diet, food labels focusing on sugar content, and expanding our food choices by trying new foods.
I received the following note from Ms. Gaida today:
It was Dr. Suess's birthday yesterday so we will be visiting his web site during computer class.
http://www.seussville.com/
We will also look at pictures of Amelia Earhart.
http://www.ameliaearhart.com/about/index.php
The lessons sounded so interesting that I decided to visit computer lab. The children loved the Suessville site; you might suggest your child access it at home. You can see the concentration on their faces!
Barb
Today in health class we began our unit on nutrition by sharing an edition of Scholastic News. This edition deals with the fact that scientists are discovering that different colors of fruits and vegetables are beneficial for certain areas of the body. During this unit we will be working with the new food pyramid's daily recommendations for healthy variety in our diet, food labels focusing on sugar content, and expanding our food choices by trying new foods.
I received the following note from Ms. Gaida today:
It was Dr. Suess's birthday yesterday so we will be visiting his web site during computer class.
http://www.seussville.com/
We will also look at pictures of Amelia Earhart.
http://www.ameliaearhart.com/about/index.php
The lessons sounded so interesting that I decided to visit computer lab. The children loved the Suessville site; you might suggest your child access it at home. You can see the concentration on their faces!
Barb
This morning we put the finishing touch on some projects. It is great to see how well the children can follow directions. Projects that would have taken half an hour a few months ago are now completed in about ten minutes.
Today in math class we practiced subtracting from 14. The children mastered these facts, but when we reviewed subtracting from 10 through 13 we determined that some of the children should include those in the nightly two-minute review. The children also solved problems like the following: 9+__=13, __+8=14, 12-__=5 and __-5=8. Please remind your child to add today's cards to their subtraction envelope and to return the "keep in folder" envelope to his folder.
In science today we conducted a color separation experiment called
chromatography or separating colors. We used markers, a coffee filter and water. It was a great activity and we made it half way through our recording sheet. We will continue with the activity on Monday. Ask your child about it.
Be sure to say hi if your family makes it to the Book Festival this evening.
Have a great weekend!
Barb
Today in math class we practiced subtracting from 14. The children mastered these facts, but when we reviewed subtracting from 10 through 13 we determined that some of the children should include those in the nightly two-minute review. The children also solved problems like the following: 9+__=13, __+8=14, 12-__=5 and __-5=8. Please remind your child to add today's cards to their subtraction envelope and to return the "keep in folder" envelope to his folder.
In science today we conducted a color separation experiment called
chromatography or separating colors. We used markers, a coffee filter and water. It was a great activity and we made it half way through our recording sheet. We will continue with the activity on Monday. Ask your child about it.
Be sure to say hi if your family makes it to the Book Festival this evening.
Have a great weekend!
Barb
This morning in language arts I introduced a writing method called the "Four Square". Today the children used the four square writing method to write about zoo animals. Then they copied the rough draft for a final copy. Be sure to enjoy the writing piece and to ask your child to explain how the four square works.
Today in health the children were introduced to a change in perspective. Each child wrote a paragraph about what it could be like if they were a tooth in their own mouth. It was a good review of the location, type and special use of the teeth they are taking care of as well as continued practice in spelling and writing.
We continued to practice using strategies for subtraction facts. Fact families and related facts are the only strategies for many of the subtraction facts, so it is wonderful that the children have mastered the addition facts. We ended math class with some oral problem solving.
Yesterday the children visited the Book Festival. Each child was given a "wish list" where they listed books they would like to own (see attached pictures). The lists come home today. You may want to bring them if you are attending the family activity evening on Friday.
Yesterday in Chinese class the children practiced a hand clapping activity, counting in Chinese (see attached pictures). I was really impressed with the way they combined the hand movements with counting!
Today we celebrated Aneesh's birthday. We enjoyed seeing his special things. The children loved the cupcakes. We wish him a wonderful evening.
I will be leaving a bit early today. Mr. Wilson will be on hand if any of the children need help or have questions at the end of the day.
Barb
Today in health the children were introduced to a change in perspective. Each child wrote a paragraph about what it could be like if they were a tooth in their own mouth. It was a good review of the location, type and special use of the teeth they are taking care of as well as continued practice in spelling and writing.
We continued to practice using strategies for subtraction facts. Fact families and related facts are the only strategies for many of the subtraction facts, so it is wonderful that the children have mastered the addition facts. We ended math class with some oral problem solving.
Yesterday the children visited the Book Festival. Each child was given a "wish list" where they listed books they would like to own (see attached pictures). The lists come home today. You may want to bring them if you are attending the family activity evening on Friday.
Yesterday in Chinese class the children practiced a hand clapping activity, counting in Chinese (see attached pictures). I was really impressed with the way they combined the hand movements with counting!
Today we celebrated Aneesh's birthday. We enjoyed seeing his special things. The children loved the cupcakes. We wish him a wonderful evening.
I will be leaving a bit early today. Mr. Wilson will be on hand if any of the children need help or have questions at the end of the day.
Barb
Beginning tomorrow we'll be practicing the rest of the subtraction facts in math class. I've suggested that the children resume the two-minute nightly review of facts, focusing on subtraction. The lunchtime used book sale gave us a chance to do some truly relevant problem solving. At the sale hard cover books cost 50 cents and soft cover books cost 25 cents. We began by dividing a paper into eight rectangles. Then we wrote an amount in each rectangle (25 cents, 50 cents, all the way up to $2.00). The problem consisted of finding out how many ways we could spend that amount. For example, if a child had $1.25 she could buy five soft cover books OR three soft cover and one hard cover, OR two hard cover and one soft cover. If your child brings money for books, you might have her figure out the possible combinations for that amount of money.
In health class we evaluated the results of our 'egg-speriments' involving eggs, coca cola and vinegar. Ask your child about what they observed when we took a close look at the eggs. Then we watched a film about animals and their teeth and how their teeth tell us about their diet.
Yesterday we shared the story of Peter Rabbit. Today we learned how that story came to be written. Be sure to ask your child to relate how Beatrix Potter came to write that classical story.
Barb
In health class we evaluated the results of our 'egg-speriments' involving eggs, coca cola and vinegar. Ask your child about what they observed when we took a close look at the eggs. Then we watched a film about animals and their teeth and how their teeth tell us about their diet.
Yesterday we shared the story of Peter Rabbit. Today we learned how that story came to be written. Be sure to ask your child to relate how Beatrix Potter came to write that classical story.
Barb
What do you call a poem (or part of a poem) with two lines, each of which end in rhyming words? A couplet, of course! This morning the children wrote and illustrated original couplets.
We began math class by sharing a book about money. I was truly impressed with the way the children solved the problems presented in the book. Next we practiced adding three numbers, taking special note that it doesn't matter which two of the three numbers you add first.
In recognition of the book festival, our Famous Face this week is Beatrix Potter. Today we shared perhaps her most famous book, "The Tale of Peter Rabbit." Before I began to read one of the children remarked that she had this book in her collection of "baby books." However, after enjoying the story (and considering lines like "implored him to exert himself), the children agreed that it was a great story for all ages. You might check to see whether your child can remember the meanings of implored and exert.
Today in health we continued with the next stop of our experiment to help us answer the question; "Does toothpaste really help protect teeth?" Next we looked at three teeth categories (molars, canines and incisors) and how they relate to animals that are herbivores or carnivores or omnivores.
As a part of the book festival there will be a used book sale in the cafeteria after lunch each day this week. Hard cover books are 50 cents and soft cover books are 25 cents. You might remind your child to break open his piggy bank; it's hard to find a better bargain than this.
The children loved making snow sculptures during recess.
Barb
We began math class by sharing a book about money. I was truly impressed with the way the children solved the problems presented in the book. Next we practiced adding three numbers, taking special note that it doesn't matter which two of the three numbers you add first.
In recognition of the book festival, our Famous Face this week is Beatrix Potter. Today we shared perhaps her most famous book, "The Tale of Peter Rabbit." Before I began to read one of the children remarked that she had this book in her collection of "baby books." However, after enjoying the story (and considering lines like "implored him to exert himself), the children agreed that it was a great story for all ages. You might check to see whether your child can remember the meanings of implored and exert.
Today in health we continued with the next stop of our experiment to help us answer the question; "Does toothpaste really help protect teeth?" Next we looked at three teeth categories (molars, canines and incisors) and how they relate to animals that are herbivores or carnivores or omnivores.
As a part of the book festival there will be a used book sale in the cafeteria after lunch each day this week. Hard cover books are 50 cents and soft cover books are 25 cents. You might remind your child to break open his piggy bank; it's hard to find a better bargain than this.
The children loved making snow sculptures during recess.
Barb
