As Room #7 continues to delve into number sentences and comparisons, we are also investigating shapes, both 3-dimensional and 2-dimensional. Have your child try to find the following shapes in the real-world; they are everywhere: cones, spheres, prisms, cubes, and cylinders. Ask them to tell you about what we found in the classroom!
· 10 Frame Numeration Boards – Using fun 10 frame manipulatives, groups worked on a variety of skills: comparing numbers to determine greater than and less than (and then saying the number sentence), writing teen numbers as a ten + ones = the teen, AND creating a variety of number sentences to 10 – all on a dry erase board! This was certainly a fan fav!
· Tub Game – At this center, students received practice describing a number by its parts. This week, the students worked with the number 10! This was a challenge, but a fun one, where they had to figure out how many cubes were underneath the tub! They then said the corresponding number sentence. For example, if I put 5 cubes under the tub, they had to discern how many more would equal ten. Lastly, they named the corresponding number sentence!
· Number Arrangements – At this station, the boys and girls explored various designs they could make using around 10 toothpicks, depending on each student’s individual skills and comfort level. After some experimenting, they then glued their creations on to a piece of paper. Finally, they subitized and wrote down the groups they recognized. So fun!
· Comparing Lengths – Using pipe cleaners and cubes, students measured the various sizes of 2 pipe cleaners. Next, they compared the two sizes and wrote which was greater than, less than or equal to!
· Up and Down the Ladder – A blast from the past! At this small group game, the cherubs took turns rolling a pair of dice. The roll on each die determined the number of Room #7 kids to put on the bunk bed. For example, if a 5 and a 2 were rolled, the players took the pictures of seven kiddos and placed five of them on the top bunk and two of them on the bottom bunk. Next, Player Two picked an Up and Down the Ladder game card and everyone rearranged the seven children’s pictures on the bunk bed according to the card’s instructions. For example, if the card said “1 Up the Ladder,” the kiddos moved one kid picture from the bottom and placed it on the top. Using dry erase boards, each player recorded the corresponding number sentences! The boys and girls really enjoyed rearranging their pictures on the bunk beds to play the game!
· Addition Dice – Using two different types of dice, a dot die and a number die, students rolled both. They then counted on from the number die and wrote the number sentence!
· Ten Shapes with Double Dice - At this tricky oldie but goodie, each child took a ten frame and one other shape and wrote the total number of cubes needed to fill both shapes (always a teen number). This week, the kids rolled double dice (a new challenge!) to determine how many Unifix cubes to take away and finally, recorded the corresponding number sentence. This is a multi-step process that required a lot of brain power to complete!
To celebrate Earth Day, Room #7 read The Lorax. We then brainstormed a variety of suggestions that we can implement to help keep the earth clean and healthy! After the kids wrote down their fantastic ideas, they completed the art component of this activity. Using a little blue and green paint, marbles, and a shoebox, they created their very own unique worlds. To top it off, we took pictures of their cute mugs with a Lorax moustache on them! Check out our back bulletin board to see their priceless results!
The boys and girls are continuing to work diligently on their amazingly creative Elephant and Piggie books. I am constantly wowed by their artwork and unique and ingenious story lines. Using Mo Willems as a mentor text, the cherubs are integrating elements that Mo Willems utilizes in his stories such as speech and thought bubbles, various sizes of writing, and facial expressions into their own texts. Soon, we will have a Publishing Party to celebrate all of your children’s extremely imaginative work! Stay tuned…
This week, during Writer’s Workshop, everyone worked on their Community Helper project. After recording the interviews last week, the kiddos rewatched their interview and recorded the answers to their questions. They also illustrated those answers as well as drew lovely pictures of their school-based community helper. Soon, the children’s hard work will be transformed into a book all about our three community helpers: Mrs. Knight (assistant principal), Ms. Salvucci (school support staff), and Ms. Breslin (crossing guard). The kids are super excited and feel proud of all their efforts!
A new month, a new wonderfully unique self-portrait! For the month of April, the students designed themselves using only construction paper, glue, and scissors. They worked enthusiastically to create reflective portraits utilizing the art of collage. This is difficult work! I was proud of the students’ tenacity as well as their finished artistry! Please stop by to see these extraordinary masterpieces!
Happy Spring! Let's keep these 50 degree days a-coming!