All of the classes are working on a visual thinking activity using tangrams. Tangrams are a geometric puzzle. The seven pieces are used to form specific shapes. I ask all students to first create a square using all seven pieces. Then, they have a stack of about 30 other designs of varying difficulties to try to complete. These puzzles work on the development of visual /spatial thinking. The pieces must be manipulated to fit the given shape. Often the children get frustrated, but the satisfaction when they accomplish the square is immense. They are so proud of themselves.
You can see and or print a tangram puzzle at http://math.about.com/od/geometr1/ss/tangram.htm.
First Grade - During our class on Tuesday we not only did the tangrams but we wrote another good news / bad news story. These stories, along with the ones completed last week, will be put in the classroom library for all the enjoy during their free reading time. We caught up with the travels of a few flat students. If you know where the flat person might be we'd love to get an email update. They can be sent to my school email: llecours@ucityschools.org.
Second Grade - Wow, the games are fabulous. We only had time to play eight of the games today, but the rest will be played when we return. Most everyone brought their games home to be played over the vacation. Some want to make improvements to their game after it was played in class. It is not required that they "improve" the game. I would like all games back in the class on January 4 when we return from break. I will give the kids more time on the fourth to play the games that have yet to be played. During the rest of January I will give the kids time to play the games at the end of each class. Game will come home permanently in February.
Third Grade - After tackling the tangram puzzles we moved back into the Math Around the World game of NIM. I hope you had a chance to try it out at home. We discussed the strategies students thought they had found for winning the game. Next, we tested out the strategies and tried to prove them wrong. Our next game is Kalah or as most know it Mancala.
Fourth Grade - Students continued to tackle the 17 kings and 42 elephants problem. It's really interesting to see how differently each student sees the problem. Here is the basic problem: How do you divide 42 elephants between 17 kings? The students had to show it with cubes and then write their explanation. The writing was very difficult for some. After they wrote their solutions we traded papers to see if another student could recreate the solution with their cubes. Some were unable to do so and wonderful conversations ensued. We'll continue on with the division unit when we return.
Fifth Grade - Due to the minimal time we'll have together this week, the fifth graders will be fine tuning their newscasts during any time we do have together on Thursday. Everyone should bring their binders to turn in to me for review.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Thursday, December 15, 2011
THANK YOU
A belated thank you to the Zukosky family. They donated two Equations games to our classroom. This is vital to having the games available to take to the competitions as each team must have their own game to share with the group. We know have 7 games that can be checked out for practices and taken to competition.
Thank you so much.
Thank you so much.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Third Grade Update - Dec. 14
The third graders completed self-evaluations today on the same format I will use for the semester Progress Reports. It was really interesting for them to think about how their behavior has been in class up to now. I will send home the self evaluation after I've completed my reports. Progress reports will come home with the second quarter report cards.
I also finally introduced them to Math Around the World. This is our next unit. The students will be learning many games through which they will develop understanding of different math concepts. Below are the rules for our first game, Nim. Nim is from ancient China. However the name was attributed to a Harvard mathematician.
HOMEWORK: I have asked the children to come home and play the game with their families. Nim is a two person game. Be careful, they are very good at this. Ask them what their initial strategies were and maybe they can develop new strategies for winning. They will have the chance to try out new strategies next week.
NIM
Rules of the Game:
1. Create three rows of pieces with 3 pieces in the first row, 5 in the second and 7 pieces in the third row.
2. Players will take turns removing pieces.
3. On your turn, you may remove one or more pieces from any one row. You may not remove pieces from more than one row at a time. You may not "pass" when it's your turn.
4. To win the game, you must be the last placer who removes the last piece or pieces.
Have fun.
I also finally introduced them to Math Around the World. This is our next unit. The students will be learning many games through which they will develop understanding of different math concepts. Below are the rules for our first game, Nim. Nim is from ancient China. However the name was attributed to a Harvard mathematician.
HOMEWORK: I have asked the children to come home and play the game with their families. Nim is a two person game. Be careful, they are very good at this. Ask them what their initial strategies were and maybe they can develop new strategies for winning. They will have the chance to try out new strategies next week.
NIM
Rules of the Game:
1. Create three rows of pieces with 3 pieces in the first row, 5 in the second and 7 pieces in the third row.
2. Players will take turns removing pieces.
3. On your turn, you may remove one or more pieces from any one row. You may not remove pieces from more than one row at a time. You may not "pass" when it's your turn.
4. To win the game, you must be the last placer who removes the last piece or pieces.
Have fun.
Second Grade Update - Dec. 14 - IMPORTANT GAME NEWS - Updated 12/19
We are in the final week of the GAME project. Today in class we worked on putting the final touches on the game boards, making cards and writing directions.
I also provided the class with paper money that they can cut out to use in their game. They only need to cut out what they need for their game. If they have extra sheets they can bring them back to school. If you need more you can go to www.activityvillage.co.uk to print whatever you might need.
I also provided the class with paper money that they can cut out to use in their game. They only need to cut out what they need for their game. If they have extra sheets they can bring them back to school. If you need more you can go to www.activityvillage.co.uk to print whatever you might need.
For homework, they are to finish the game. This will mean different things for different students. Below is a list of the parts of the game that should be in class on Wednesday, December 21, when we will have a day to play each others games. Your child has a copy of this note with them in their back pack to help remind them of what they need to bring. They have indicated whether the item is here in my classroom or they have brought it home to work on.
Students brought home sheets of play money to use in their game.
Students brought home sheets of play money to use in their game.
It will be a wonderful day. If you are available to stop by we have class from 9:15 – 11:35. Please feel free to drop in and see the finished games.
___ Game Board in class brought home
___ Directions in class brought home to be typed or written neatly
___ Subject Cards in class brought home
___ Extra Cards in class brought home
___ Play Money in class brought home
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Fourth Grade Update - Dec. 13
I asked the children to complete a self-evaluation to help me when preparing the semester report you will receive in January. It's always interesting to see how the children see their work and behavior. You can ask your child how they rated them self. You will receive my progress report with the second quarter report cards in mid-January.
Then we moved onto our division unit. During this unit I am going to focus on gaining a deeper understanding of the concept of division, NOT the numbers. Most of the kids really understand they are dividing,but I will be pushing them to explain their thinking both verbally and in writing. Today they had to divide 42 elephants among 17 kings (a reference to a book I read them last class). They then had to write an explanation that would allow another student to recreate their divisions the same way, with only their writing as a guide. Again, quite a few students finished the assignment, but there are a few struggling with how to make the explanation clear enough for someone to just read it and recreate their groups.
Next week, we'll finish up on the division writing and then move on to a new task within the division concept.
Then we moved onto our division unit. During this unit I am going to focus on gaining a deeper understanding of the concept of division, NOT the numbers. Most of the kids really understand they are dividing,but I will be pushing them to explain their thinking both verbally and in writing. Today they had to divide 42 elephants among 17 kings (a reference to a book I read them last class). They then had to write an explanation that would allow another student to recreate their divisions the same way, with only their writing as a guide. Again, quite a few students finished the assignment, but there are a few struggling with how to make the explanation clear enough for someone to just read it and recreate their groups.
Next week, we'll finish up on the division writing and then move on to a new task within the division concept.
First Grade Update - Dec. 13
Another flat person, Flat Jack, appeared via photographs. Flat Jack visited his Uncle Bill in Virginia. He also traveled to Maryland while visiting his uncle. Uncle Bill has sent Flat Jack onto Moscow, Russia. We can't wait to hear about those adventures.
I read the book, Fortunately by Remy Charlip to the children. Ask your child about fortunately /unfortunately stories. After reading the book, the students made their own Good News / Bad News stories. They'll finish the illustration next week and I'll post them on the board outside the classroom.
We hope to see more flat people returning after the Winter Break. The kids love getting the letters back. It is wonderful if the current host is able to pass on the flat person to another willing participant. The more the better.
I read the book, Fortunately by Remy Charlip to the children. Ask your child about fortunately /unfortunately stories. After reading the book, the students made their own Good News / Bad News stories. They'll finish the illustration next week and I'll post them on the board outside the classroom.
We hope to see more flat people returning after the Winter Break. The kids love getting the letters back. It is wonderful if the current host is able to pass on the flat person to another willing participant. The more the better.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Book Orders are Due
Tomorrow, Dec. 9, by Midnight if done on line or in my hand by 3:30 if sending in a paper order form. I will submit the order over the weekend from home to ensure delivery by Dec. 20.
Third Grade Update - Dec. 7
As always we started our day by working our creative brains. Today's thinking activities were to come up with words that begin with the letter u, and to think of creative uses for a paper bag. The second one was much more difficult than I expected it to be. What could you do with a paper bag, other than use it as a bag.
We also had a very brief discussion on the important invent that occured 70 years ago, the Pearl Harbor attacks. I was impressed with how many of the students knew what the day was about. I asked them to check with you, their parents, to find out if they have any relatives that have served our country in a conflict or war.
The students wrote the final copy of their letters to Mrs. Blumberg about school uniforms. Mrs. Blumber loved reading the letters adn will come and discuss them during next week's class.
Last, we played a few rounds of Equations. The students are really being quite clever. It's fun to see one students use a technique on one round then have others pick it up and use it on the following rounds. I just love it when students learn from each other. We'll continue to play some Equations each week until Winter Break.
We also had a very brief discussion on the important invent that occured 70 years ago, the Pearl Harbor attacks. I was impressed with how many of the students knew what the day was about. I asked them to check with you, their parents, to find out if they have any relatives that have served our country in a conflict or war.
The students wrote the final copy of their letters to Mrs. Blumberg about school uniforms. Mrs. Blumber loved reading the letters adn will come and discuss them during next week's class.
Last, we played a few rounds of Equations. The students are really being quite clever. It's fun to see one students use a technique on one round then have others pick it up and use it on the following rounds. I just love it when students learn from each other. We'll continue to play some Equations each week until Winter Break.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Second Grade Update - Dec. 7
Today, after brain work, we did a PETS activity that required the children to read a set of directions to place people (PETS Characters) at a table based on the directions. Ask your child about this activity. It was much more challenging than I think they expected it to be when they first saw the directions. We'll move on to Divergent Thinking next week.
We then spent the last hour working on games. Most of the children have their boards completed. Next week we'll finalize directions and test run the playing of the games. We'll play them all in two weeks.
We then spent the last hour working on games. Most of the children have their boards completed. Next week we'll finalize directions and test run the playing of the games. We'll play them all in two weeks.
Fourth Grade - No GATE This Week
I am sorry I had to leave at lunch on Tuesday due to a sick child. I will see the fourth graders next week. Remember, you have car buying criteria to ask your parents about and complete the PETS form sent home last week.
First Grade Update - December 6
First graders traveled to Italy and Cleveland, Ohio on Tuesday courtesy of Michael. It's so fun to see what the kids already know about these different places the Flat children are visiting. We also reviewed the hemisphere concept and looked at a map of the Western Hemisphere. Flat Claudia had visited Cabo San Lucas so we colored Mexico along with our United States on the Western Hemisphere map.
I gave the children ten more words from the list of 100 we're working through. Most did a really good job. Some of the trickier spellings are all that is stopping them. We also worked on stretching some more silly and serious sentences. The students were given a group of words and were forced to use just those work to make sensible sentences. They did a terrific job.
I gave the children ten more words from the list of 100 we're working through. Most did a really good job. Some of the trickier spellings are all that is stopping them. We also worked on stretching some more silly and serious sentences. The students were given a group of words and were forced to use just those work to make sensible sentences. They did a terrific job.
Friday, December 2, 2011
COLLEGE FOR KIDS
College For Kids is a wonderful opportunity for after hours enrichment classes. These classes are held on Saturdays at St. Louis Community College - Meramec.
Just some of the class offerings:
Jr. Docs & Vets: Dissections
Learn to Juggle
Designer Board Games
Creating with Legos
Studio Photoshop
Video Game Creation
Adventures with Outback Ed
Chemistry for Kids
and so much more.
Please go to stlcc.edu/continuing_education/college_for_kids.html for more information on the dates, times and class offerings.
Just some of the class offerings:
Jr. Docs & Vets: Dissections
Learn to Juggle
Designer Board Games
Creating with Legos
Studio Photoshop
Video Game Creation
Adventures with Outback Ed
Chemistry for Kids
and so much more.
Please go to stlcc.edu/continuing_education/college_for_kids.html for more information on the dates, times and class offerings.
Fifth Grade Update - Dec. 1
A normal day...
Yes, we finally returned to a normal day, at least the schedule was normal. We did our regular brain work then some problem solving. We rounded out the day with the first four events for our Super Humans. This was so much fun. The students were given calamities and then given 5 minutes or less to figure out how their Super Human was going to survive. After describing each of the Super Humans we dove right into the calamities. They children had fun, but at the same time were involved in some pretty incredible critical thinking.
Next week we'll continue with more calamities, the first of which is how is the Super Human, as quarterback for the Rams, going to help save the team that is about to loose the Super Bowl.
Book orders came home last week and are available on line at www.scholastic.com/bookclubs. Check out the earlier entry for details on logging in and placing your order.
Yes, we finally returned to a normal day, at least the schedule was normal. We did our regular brain work then some problem solving. We rounded out the day with the first four events for our Super Humans. This was so much fun. The students were given calamities and then given 5 minutes or less to figure out how their Super Human was going to survive. After describing each of the Super Humans we dove right into the calamities. They children had fun, but at the same time were involved in some pretty incredible critical thinking.
Next week we'll continue with more calamities, the first of which is how is the Super Human, as quarterback for the Rams, going to help save the team that is about to loose the Super Bowl.
Book orders came home last week and are available on line at www.scholastic.com/bookclubs. Check out the earlier entry for details on logging in and placing your order.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)