Fall Festival Fun

Subtraction facts to 10

Today we began working on Chapter 4 in our Math program, working on subtraction facts to 10. We will be using three strategies to subtract: taking away, counting on and counting back. We will still use number bonds to help us with subtraction because we know that in a subtraction story the whole is known, one part is taken away and we must find the other part that is left.  Look for opportunities to discover subtraction in your day to day life---math is everywhere!

Internet Safety

Today in the Library the students were given an introduction to internet safety with Mrs. Landsman. They created a list of ways to stay safe when using the internet at home and at school.

We have talked about this briefly in our classroom and will be discussing and practicing more as we learn about digital literacy. In our classroom, we are careful to cover names in pictures that will be on Twitter or on the blog. Using Seesaw students are able to see each other's work within the class, and at home parents can only see their own student's work. These digital natives pick skills up early and we want to make sure they are prepared for the digital world we live in!

I Am Responsible

            Our class is beginning a new unit in our reading program called I Am Responsible.  We will begin by reading a selection about the concepts of responsibility and being responsible.  We will also read a story about a boy who learns responsibility from taking care of a pet, and a selection about how we can all be responsible and help take care of our environment.  We will learn that there are many ways to be responsible including listening to your parents, recycling and obeying school rules.

            The stories and selections we will read and discuss in class will provide many opportunities for you and your child to discuss responsibility at home.  Does your child have any chores for which he or she is responsible on a regular basis? Talk about homework as a responsibility for being a good student and eating healthy food as a responsibility to our bodies.  Use the activities in the letters associated with these selections as a starting point for your discussions of and investigations into responsibility and responsible behavior.

            In our classroom the students have many responsibilities.  We have new jobs each week.  At the end of the day there are many jobs that the students help out with to get the classroom ready for the next day.  Ask your child if they have a job this week.  Have them explain what their responsibility is.  If they don’t have a job this week, ask them to explain one of the jobs and what their responsibility will be when it is their turn to have that job.

Concept & Question Board:

You may wish to contribute to our concept and question board by looking for pictures of people being responsible.  This can include someone picking up litter, taking care of an animal or doing something for someone else.  If your child has chores at home you can work to write a sentence or two describing his or her responsibility.  You could even take a picture of your child completing the job. Whatever you do at home to supplement our learning at school is always appreciated!

Field Trip Fun

We had a blast this week on our field trip to see Jigsaw Jones at St. Anselm's Dana Center.
Part of the fun of a field trip is riding the bus with friends--especially for those of us who got to ride the bus for the first time!

 

The ArtsPower's talented actors had the students captivated for an hour!

(here is a clip I found on their website for a glimpse of our experience)

Afterwards we benefitted from beautiful weather and enjoyed eating lunch out on the quad.

It was a great day--Thank you so much to the PTA for making this trip possible!

Where Animals Live

            Our class is beginning a new unit in our reading program called Where Animals Live. Animals live in habitats.  Habitats include all the places where animals live, such as forests, oceans, and city parks.  This unit will help students understand that they can learn a great deal about wildlife from the habitat the animals live in.  Students will hear and discuss selections that highlight various animals and their habitats such as the red-eyed tree frog and polar bears.  They will also learn about life within a specific habitat, the desert, and how wildlife has adapted to its harsh environment.

            Animals that live in habitats very far from our homes are sometime difficult to see and learn about.  Most of us will never see a polar bear In its natural habitat.  Places like zoos, aquariums and aviaries allow us the opportunity to see these animals in person.  These places must recreate the animal’s natural habitat so they will be comfortable and happy.

Activities you can do with your child:

• Read books about animals together
• Visit nature centers, aquariums, aviaries or zoos
• Search the local newspaper for articles about animals and their habitats
• Have your child draw their favorite animal in their habitat
• Choose a habitat and learn about it together

           

Concept & Question Board:

In our classroom we create a board for each unit filled with concepts, or facts we already know, and questions, things we are wondering about.  As we read stories in poems in each unit we answer questions that we may have, add concepts that we have learned and look for answers to new questions that come up.  You and your student can help add to our concept and question board by looking for articles and pictures related to the topic.  Your student may be interested in reading a book related to the topic and drawing a picture or writing a sentence to share as a concept for our board.  

Whatever you do at home to supplement our learning at school is always appreciated!

Addition to 10

We are working in Math on addition facts to 10. The number sentence can be related to the number bonds because each number that is being added is a part, and the answer to the number sentence is the whole. Use the info sheet below to work on addition to 10 at home.



Counting by 5's

Today we learned how to play a new game called 5, 10, 15, 20, 25! You can find the directions here, or by clicking the Math Games tab above. Play at home with Legos or other building blocks.