January 2008 Archives
Every day in first grade is busy, but today we were even busier than usual. We began with hat day. The children assembled with their hats as Mrs. Greeley read an original rhyming poem called, "My Hat." She also shared two other poems she has written, one was not in rhyme and the other was a limerick. Next I wrote two pieces on the board as the children watched. One was a story; the other a poem. We talked about the difference. Finally each of the children gave writing an original poem a try. Some dove right in; others were more cautious. We'll continue to have some poetry writing time several times a week for the next few months.
At the beginning of math class I gave the children an informal inventory. This will help me determine which children need some extra practice on skills we have covered. After that we continued to work on double-digit addition. Since we are just beginning to practice this skill I don't expect the children to have mastered it without using the hundred blocks.
In science we made zoomers from cardboard and colored designs. After that we compared the spinning of a top to the spinning of a zoomer, focusing on where the forces come from that allow them to balance. Last I demonstrated a gyroscope.
Today was "mix-it-up" day at lunch. Rather than having each class sit together, the grades were mixed up throughout the lunchroom. Hopefully the children made some new friends. The first graders also paraded through the lunchroom wearing their hats. After lunch we had indoor recess due to the cold weather.
During story time I read... what else but "The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins! (It's a rather long story, so we'll finish it tomorrow.)
Barb
At the beginning of math class I gave the children an informal inventory. This will help me determine which children need some extra practice on skills we have covered. After that we continued to work on double-digit addition. Since we are just beginning to practice this skill I don't expect the children to have mastered it without using the hundred blocks.
In science we made zoomers from cardboard and colored designs. After that we compared the spinning of a top to the spinning of a zoomer, focusing on where the forces come from that allow them to balance. Last I demonstrated a gyroscope.
Today was "mix-it-up" day at lunch. Rather than having each class sit together, the grades were mixed up throughout the lunchroom. Hopefully the children made some new friends. The first graders also paraded through the lunchroom wearing their hats. After lunch we had indoor recess due to the cold weather.
During story time I read... what else but "The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins! (It's a rather long story, so we'll finish it tomorrow.)
Barb
In math class we practiced double-digit addition, both with and without regrouping. Using the base ten blocks helps the children understand when and how to regroup in problems where the sum of the numbers in the ones column is greater than nine.
During science the class practiced with 'zoomers'. We are comparing forces used in balance and motion. Previously, the balancing we did was dependent on gravity as the force we were balancing against. The zoomers introduce forces from other sources. We will make a homemade zoomer tomorrow.
This week we'll be learning about the Wright brothers. I challenged the children to see if they could remember their first names and tell you at home this evening.
We celebrated Ian's birthday with cookies and a few of his favorite things. We wish him a wonderful evening with his family.
Reminder: tomorrow is HAT DAY. Please remind your child to choose a favorite hat or cap.
Barb
During science the class practiced with 'zoomers'. We are comparing forces used in balance and motion. Previously, the balancing we did was dependent on gravity as the force we were balancing against. The zoomers introduce forces from other sources. We will make a homemade zoomer tomorrow.
This week we'll be learning about the Wright brothers. I challenged the children to see if they could remember their first names and tell you at home this evening.
We celebrated Ian's birthday with cookies and a few of his favorite things. We wish him a wonderful evening with his family.
Reminder: tomorrow is HAT DAY. Please remind your child to choose a favorite hat or cap.
Barb
We continued to work with base ten blocks in math class. The riddles became more challenging. For example: use six blocks, some tens-blocks and some ones-blocks, to show a value greater than 50. (Five tens-blocks and one one-block have a value of 51.) The children also used the blocks to add, sometimes trading ten ones-blocks for a ten-block. We'll continue to use the blocks next week to show regrouping in addition and subtraction.
In science we continued with our tops by adding colored paper discs. There were many oohs and ahhs as they saw the colors blend as the tops spun. Today the kids were also asked to complete an activity response page. This includes each child drawing a picture of what they think is important, writing a sentence about it, recording one other observation and developing a question related to the experiments.
Please check folders this evening. All children have conference information. They also have a sheet with an upcoming appointment to read to Mrs. Greeley. Some children have a specific reading assignment.
Have a great (hopefully warmer) weekend!
Barb
In science we continued with our tops by adding colored paper discs. There were many oohs and ahhs as they saw the colors blend as the tops spun. Today the kids were also asked to complete an activity response page. This includes each child drawing a picture of what they think is important, writing a sentence about it, recording one other observation and developing a question related to the experiments.
Please check folders this evening. All children have conference information. They also have a sheet with an upcoming appointment to read to Mrs. Greeley. Some children have a specific reading assignment.
Have a great (hopefully warmer) weekend!
Barb
ABCDEFG... This morning we began to learn about alphabetical order. First we examined a children's dictionary. Next we thought about where letters are placed in the alphabet. I would say a certain letter--for example, Y--and the children would indicate whether the letter is near the beginning, middle or end of the alphabet. Finally the children gathered all the word cards they have completed, an alphabetical guide and the index boxes and sorted the cards alphabetically according to the first letter. We did demonstrate how to alphabetize according to the second and third letter. Although doing so was not a requirement of the assignment, several of the children used that skill.
We continued to use the base ten blocks in math class. It might seem like we're spending a lot of time on place value; however, I promise it is time well spent. We did several activities today. We reviewed using the blocks to represent a number several ways (they need to trade tens-blocks for ten ones-blocks). The also solved riddles like the following: there are 11 blocks. 7 of them are ones-blocks and the rest are tens-blocks. What is the value?
Today in science we continued with our spinning top activities. To develop skills of observation the kids were told how to build their tops and then what specific changes they should make. At each step they were encouraged to compare the different disc configurations and determine how the spinning action was changed. Tomorrow we add colored spinning designs to the top.
In PE class the children practiced racket skills.
Yesterday we learned that Thomas Edison spent several years working as a telegraph operator. Today we learned that he also invented many things to improve the telegraph. Aneesh shared a telegraph machine that he built at home. We talked about Morse Code and the children had a chance to try out the machine.
I think you'll agree that our days are busy and full of learning!
We continued to use the base ten blocks in math class. It might seem like we're spending a lot of time on place value; however, I promise it is time well spent. We did several activities today. We reviewed using the blocks to represent a number several ways (they need to trade tens-blocks for ten ones-blocks). The also solved riddles like the following: there are 11 blocks. 7 of them are ones-blocks and the rest are tens-blocks. What is the value?
Today in science we continued with our spinning top activities. To develop skills of observation the kids were told how to build their tops and then what specific changes they should make. At each step they were encouraged to compare the different disc configurations and determine how the spinning action was changed. Tomorrow we add colored spinning designs to the top.
In PE class the children practiced racket skills.
Yesterday we learned that Thomas Edison spent several years working as a telegraph operator. Today we learned that he also invented many things to improve the telegraph. Aneesh shared a telegraph machine that he built at home. We talked about Morse Code and the children had a chance to try out the machine.
I think you'll agree that our days are busy and full of learning!
We began math class with a review. First the children worked on a fact
practice sheet (I encouraged them to complete them at home). We also
reviewed fact families, telling time (remember to refer to the clock
occasionally at home) and writing and reading numbers to 9999. Next the
children used the base ten blocks for an introduction to regrouping, AKA
borrowing, renaming, etc. They began by using the blocks to build a certain
number, for example 32. Then they worked to see how many different ways they
could make that number by trading blocks. In the example above they could
use three tens and two ones, two tens and 12 ones, 1 ten and 22 ones or 32
ones. Activities like this lay the foundation for truly understanding
regrouping rather than just memorizing the algorithm.
Today in science we began learning about motion. Each child was given a disk
and a straw. They began their investigation of these items in different
ways but eventually discovered they could build a spinning top. Each child
was encouraged to experiment with additional discs and where they are placed
on the straw axel and what effect this had on spinning. Key words were
disc, rotation, torque.
Ask your child to tell you the story of how Thomas Edison saved a young
child's life and how that lead to a new job for him.
practice sheet (I encouraged them to complete them at home). We also
reviewed fact families, telling time (remember to refer to the clock
occasionally at home) and writing and reading numbers to 9999. Next the
children used the base ten blocks for an introduction to regrouping, AKA
borrowing, renaming, etc. They began by using the blocks to build a certain
number, for example 32. Then they worked to see how many different ways they
could make that number by trading blocks. In the example above they could
use three tens and two ones, two tens and 12 ones, 1 ten and 22 ones or 32
ones. Activities like this lay the foundation for truly understanding
regrouping rather than just memorizing the algorithm.
Today in science we began learning about motion. Each child was given a disk
and a straw. They began their investigation of these items in different
ways but eventually discovered they could build a spinning top. Each child
was encouraged to experiment with additional discs and where they are placed
on the straw axel and what effect this had on spinning. Key words were
disc, rotation, torque.
Ask your child to tell you the story of how Thomas Edison saved a young
child's life and how that lead to a new job for him.
This week we’ll be learning about Thomas Edison. See if your child can
remember his middle name. Also, be sure to ask about two of Edison’s first
experiments, conducted when he was a child! The children were fascinated!
This week we’ll continue to work with place value in math class. Today we
began by sharing a trade book about place value. Next we spent some time
reviewing how to write and read numbers up to 9999. A few weeks ago when I
asked the children to write the number 2420, many responded by writing
2000400020. Today everyone was able to write and read the number correctly.
The children were even successful writing numbers with zero in the hundreds,
tens and/or ones place. You might review at home with numbers like the
following: 359, 953, 1899, 2704, 2740, 2470 and 8020. A quick and easy
practice is to dictate several numbers. After your child has written them,
ask her to read them. Finally I introduced base ten blocks. Children need
time to explore with new materials (see attached pictures). Tomorrow we’ll
begin to use the blocks to solve math problems.
Today in science the classes completed their mobiles. They each had the
opportunity to work on balancing the different elements of their mobiles,
which will be on display in the classroom for a few weeks.
In language arts we practiced words with long O. Words for review at home
include bone, drove, nose, globe, joke, stone and alone.
Please check folders this evening. I have included a survey and some
children have specific reading assignments. Thanks!
Barb
remember his middle name. Also, be sure to ask about two of Edison’s first
experiments, conducted when he was a child! The children were fascinated!
This week we’ll continue to work with place value in math class. Today we
began by sharing a trade book about place value. Next we spent some time
reviewing how to write and read numbers up to 9999. A few weeks ago when I
asked the children to write the number 2420, many responded by writing
2000400020. Today everyone was able to write and read the number correctly.
The children were even successful writing numbers with zero in the hundreds,
tens and/or ones place. You might review at home with numbers like the
following: 359, 953, 1899, 2704, 2740, 2470 and 8020. A quick and easy
practice is to dictate several numbers. After your child has written them,
ask her to read them. Finally I introduced base ten blocks. Children need
time to explore with new materials (see attached pictures). Tomorrow we’ll
begin to use the blocks to solve math problems.
Today in science the classes completed their mobiles. They each had the
opportunity to work on balancing the different elements of their mobiles,
which will be on display in the classroom for a few weeks.
In language arts we practiced words with long O. Words for review at home
include bone, drove, nose, globe, joke, stone and alone.
Please check folders this evening. I have included a survey and some
children have specific reading assignments. Thanks!
Barb
