Learning about Ghana

This afternoon we enjoyed a different kind of learning, using an interactive bulletin board created by Mrs. Noboa's class. They have been learning about Ghana, where our artist-in-resident Theo Martey is from. Using the iPads we scanned the QR codes on the board which showed a variety of information about Ghana: animals, songs, dances and more. It was a lot of fun for everyone!

Calendar and Time

In Chapter 15 students will be working with calendar and time, concepts the students are very familiar with from our daily calendar routines. We will work on telling time to the hour and half hour using an analog clock. Using an analog clock at school and home helps students to see the passage of time, and have a better understanding of "how long until..."

Mental Math

Beginning today, we will begin working on Mental Math strategies in Chapter 14. Students have learned a great deal about tens and ones and strategies for addition and subtraction and we will begin finding ways to use this knowledge to perform mental computations. 

What are we reading Monday?

For the past few weeks we have been working on some digital citizenship skills in the classroom. We call it "What are you reading? Monday" Readers often share books with each other through discussions and with digital tools many adults share what they are reading online using Goodreads or another digital outlet. This is a way for students to begin share a book they have been reading independently online through a Padlet (available only to those who have the link or QR code). 

The students work with a partner to take a picture making sure it includes the title of the book:

They then continue to work together scan a QR code, upload the picture, and add their initials. 

As you can see they are very diligent to support each other and get it just right:

Of course, one of the favorite parts of this activity is looking through the padlet to see what everyone else is reading! It exposes the students to more books than they may have come across browsing the classroom library independently.

Please check out our padlet and see what we are reading: What are you reading? Monday padlet

It continues to be updated each Monday, be sure to check back!

Away We Grow

Dear Parents and Families,

            Our class is beginning our new unit in our reading program called, Away We Grow. Throughout this unit we will read and discuss selections that cover various aspects of plant life.  This unit will provide students with a basic understanding of plant life and how plants work together in our environment.  Students will read about, write about and explore plant-related subjects, such as how a seed grows, gardens, flowers, and plants that eat animals.

            You can enhance your child’s learning in this area by helping him or her locate additional educational resources dealing with the topics covered in each lesson.  Your local library and the Internet can provide a great deal of supplementary information for your to explore together.  In addition, outdoor excursions will help your child place the information he or she is learning into a meaningful context.  Walks and hikes can help your child identify the features he or she is discovering in class.  First-hand observation can also lead you and your child to further areas of exploration.

As always, your help at home is important in helping to make this a meaningful unit of study for your child.  Here are some activities you may wish to try:

Make a list of foods that grow from seeds.  Buy a few at the grocery store and compare the seeds.  Can you count the seeds?

There is a great variety within the world of flowers.  How many different flowers can you name?  Go to a local grocery store or green house and look at the many variety of flowers.

Help your child acquire firsthand experience by going to a local greenhouse together.  Encourage your child to explore the greenhouse and observe the conditions needed so that plants may flourish.  Help him or her investigate which plants are annual and perennial.

Concept and Question Board:

You may wish to contribute to our unit concept and question board by sending in pictures or drawings of plant life.  You can look for pictures in magazines, newspapers or take pictures of plants that you have worked together to help grow.  Students may also wish to look for seeds and place them in a ziplock bag to share with the class. Anything that you think will help the students to learn more about plant life would be helpful.  Thank you for your continued support at home to supplement our learning at school!