Room #7 began a new unit in Writer’s Workshop this week! The kiddos became the teachers (and writers) as they learned about informational how-to texts. Our first exercise was to write and illustrate the 4 steps one must do in order to make a snowman! Before we even began, though, we talked a lot about how the order is important when writing how-to stories! We also discussed key vocabulary words that let the reader know what the order is: first, then, next, and last. At our next Writer’s Workshop meeting, the class saw different real-life examples of how-to stories. We read a few short recipes demonstrating how to cook various foods; we studied articles on how to create different types of jewelry, and lastly, we saw how to carve a pumpkin. Next, the class brainstormed a list of all the things they know how to do. The cherubs did a magnificent job coming up with a variety of topics! Last, they dove right in and started their own how-to stories. It was amazing to see how much excitement and eagerness the kids displayed, and they were totally motivated to start writing! They wanted to show all their expertise!
Room #7 is back to the workshop model in Math this week! There was even a center focused around our work last week with Bunk Beds. Read on to find out more!
· Attribute Spinner Game – We have been talking a lot about attribute blocks over the last two weeks in Room #7. There are so many attributes (or characteristics) one can sort by: 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!
· 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!
· Dozen Domino Dilemma - This partner game gets the kiddos comparing numbers to determine which is greater, less than, or equal! Each partner was assigned a title: Dominos less than 6 and dominos greater than 6. Each person then chose a domino and determined who should get it. First person to accumulate a dozen dominos won!
· Fix-It Strips – At this center, students continued to work on the tricky concept of “changing numbers.” Independently, the kiddos received a fix-it strip. Using cubes, they created an organized pile that represented their first number. Next, they changed that pile to match the second number. Lastly, they articulated if they added or took away cubes and how many cubes they needed to make the change. The cherubs have really gotten the hang of this station – they challenged themselves by doing this activity with teen numbers! Holy moly!
· Which is Longer? - Using a variety of materials, kiddos compared them to see which was longer. They had to really focus to make certain everything lined up so that their answers were accurate!
· Teens on the Ten Frame book – As a refresher, the kiddos filled out these books, showing how when teen numbers are decomposed, they represent a set of 10 and _____ ones. After filling in a set of two ten frames to represent a specific number, they then wrote how many tens and ones that number is.
· Up and Down the Ladder – At this small group game, the cherubs took turns rolling a pair of dice. The roll on each die determines 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 kids 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 kids really enjoyed rearranging their pictures on the bunk beds to play the game!
· 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. For those tricky high numbers, students used invisible buddy lines as a strategy to determine the hidden number. Fabulous work, cherubs!
This month’s self-portraits are fantastic! Students used a mixture of yarn and string, paint, construction paper, colored pencils and the art of collage to create one-of-a-kind masterpieces! Stop by to see their works of art if you can!
We are finishing up magnets this week. The kiddos of Room #7 have been working hard on this unit. They have all learned the difference between attract and repel, what a magnet’s force can pass through, how strong a magnet can be, etc. They have truly enjoyed experimenting with the various types of magnets during indoor recess and Learning Labs as well as building various 3-D shapes with them! Way to go, Kindergarteners!
The cherubs and I have been working on blending word parts together. We’re learning how to smoothly blend the beginning of a word with the ending of a word to create a whole word. For example, “take”: The first part is t; the second part is ake; put them together and we get take. As part of their word work, they played a game that helps your child to think about words. You can do this at home too! Tell your child you’re going to say the first part of a word and then you’ll say the last part. D-ay. Tell them you can put those parts together to make a word, d-ay, day. Next, say another word but only say the two parts and ask your child to say the whole word. Example: You say st-ay and your child responds with stay. This is a game that you can play anytime — in the car, at the supermarket, or while waiting for an appointment. The game should be quick and fun. The goal is to make your child curious about words. Have fun!
Have you ever heard the expression: “March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb!” (Let’s hope!). Room #7 talked about this expression and then created a corresponding art project for their calendars! Every day, the leader will determine if it’s a lion or a lamb day and then place the correlating picture on our March graph! I wonder which animal will “win”!
Last Friday during Open Circle, the boys and girls in Room #7 learned about a new Unthinkable: Worry Wall! Check out the social skills tab to find out more about this pesky Unthinkable!
Have a super weekend. Hopefully it warms up soon!