Week in Review: September 14-18

Get ready for photo overload! This week in language arts, we have continued with reading strategies and individual testing (the end is near, I only have 2 or 3 students remaining!). We are learning how to narrow down our big ideas into smaller, more manageable stories. This tasty lesson involved watermelon, and the kids were so happy to enjoy the treat. Ask your child to tell you the difference between a big "watermelon" idea and a small "seed" idea.

In math, we spent more time on place value and then learned FIVE strategies for addition: partial sums, adding on, base 10 blocks, using a number line, and of course, the traditional algorithm. I teach multiple strategies because so often, what is easy for one student does not make sense to another student. With this many strategies in their mental toolbox, they are sure to find a way that works for them! I try to vary our warm-ups each day and give them lots of opportunities to work in different ways...with manipulatives, on dry erase boards, with partners, etc. I think the variety keeps them from getting bored with math.

Since Thursday was Constitution Day, we continued our social studies lessons on the Constitution, creating a timeline using an online tool (see display photo below), and then students worked in pairs to write a class constitution.

Science has been fun this week with lots of hand on experiments. We learned about sound energy by testing the pitch of sounds based on how much water is in a glass.

We observed heat energy in action by observing food color drops in hot water versus cold water.

And finally, we used a mysterious tool to see what kinds of energy it reacted to. It ended up being a radiometer, which the students now know, measures light energy. The students are very curious about all of the supplies building up in our classroom for next week's project...S'mores ovens. Thanks to all who donated materials!

On Friday, during our enrichment time, we enjoyed some creative time with Mrs. Swyers, Mrs. Raney, and Mrs. Lilleboe's classes as we belatedly celebrated National Dot Day (yes, it is a real day!). Students had several technology and art options from which to choose.

Have a wonderful weekend! A couple of reminders for next week: school pictures are on Tuesday September 22 and Wednesday September 23 is an early release day, with kids being released at 12:45pm.