We are getting closer and closer to our chick hatch! Every day, the kiddos learn more and more about how the chick develops inside that egg. On Tuesday, we had the privilege of inviting Karen McCarthy, head of Elementary Science for all of Lexington, to do an egg show for us. Ask your children what they learned!
Math stations are the same this week due to conference days. Two big ideas of these stations are: 1) that there are relationships between quantities and 2) that the mathematical foundations for understanding computational procedures for addition and subtraction of whole numbers are the properties of addition and place value.
- Clear the Board – As we continue to work with addition, students partnered together at this fun and engrossing game. Each student received a game board and 10 cubes. They placed their cubes on numbers that they thought they would roll. Next, the kids took turns rolling two dice. When the dice were added together and if the kids had cubes on that number, they could remove them. The first person to “clear the board” won!
- Attribute Spinner Game – We have been talking a lot over the last two weeks in Room #7 about attribute. There are so many attributes (or characteristics) by which one can sort: color, shape, size, thickness, number of sides, etc. Using 2 different spinners, one for shape and this week, one for size, students spun and then had to find the corresponding shape. This is a great way for kiddos to use their math vocabulary and practice identifying the various attributes!
- Comparing Cube Train – After getting a cube train of 10 cubes, students explored the classroom to find four items that were shorter than the train and four items that were longer than the train. The cherubs certainly put their thinking caps on for this one!
- Snap It! – Working with numbers six to twelve, students made trains of cubes. They then “snap” their trains at various places. Putting part of their trains in front of them and placing the other part behind them, students worked to figure out how many were hidden. In this manner, students are learning to describe a number by its parts. We then brainstormed and recorded all the corresponding number sentences! It was fun to see all the different ways to make the same number!
- Subitizing Chicks – In this fun book, students were asked to subitize! Drawings of chicks were placed strategically on each page so that students were able to see groups. After they framed the groups with pipe cleaners, they then circled those groups and wrote a number sentence that reflected how they subitized. Challenging work but the Kindergarteners rose to the occasion!
- iPad – subtraction! - At this iPad game, students worked to finish subtraction number sentences!
- Grab Bag Subtraction – At this oldie, but goodie, game, the students decided what number they wanted to work with (10 or less). They then put that number of counters into a bag. Next, a partner reached into the bag, took out some counters, and showed what he/she had taken. Finally, they wrote a number sentence to demonstrate the subtraction that occurred. This is tricky work!
The writers in Room #7 are learning from mentor books! As we read more and more published how-to stories, the students are trying to emulate features that they noticed in these texts. This week, we focused on including comparisons, tips, warnings, and advice. The boys and girls observed that when authors include these features in their writing, their stories are that much clearer! They are also working to include the word, “you” in their books. Doing so will keep writers from slipping back into the narrative voice and will help writers keep the reader – or the readers – in mind. The use of direct address not only helps a writer to keep the reader in mind but to assume an in-charge position.
Have a fabulous weekend, Room #7 Families!