Each day the kiddies prove that they are amazing, and today was no different!
During math we were presented with the following problem:
We tackled the problem in pairs or groups of three. The thinking that was taking place was amazing! As you can see this problem is multistep and requires the kiddies to both multiply and divide. All groups identified that there was more than one step to solve the problem.
After we solved the problem, I took our thinking to another level. We traded our work with another group and began looking closely at another groups thinking, strategies and answers. As a group the students were to identify the stars (what the group did well) and the wishes (next steps). They gave the work a level and we posted the work around the classroom by level.
Finally, we came together at the carpet and discussed our thinking and defended the level we gave the work.
This was a great activity, not only for problem solving but also for us to see and discuss other peoples' thinking. I feel like by the end of our 60 minute lesson we all felt more confident about problem solving and packed our "tool belts" with even more strategies.
I. Love. Math!
Today we were all very lucky to meet Miss. Tomac, the teacher who will be replacing me while I am on maternity leave. She was here all day to observe classroom routines and procedures. We were able to meet and discuss curriculum and the learning goals for the remainder of the year. I feel very confident that Miss. Tomac is the perfect match for our little family in Room 209. She is full of enthusiasm and is passionate about teaching. Just last week, Miss. Tomac finished a Grade Four long term occasional position that she has been in since September. This is wonderful, as she will know exactly where the kiddies are headed for next year!
I am feeling great (and breathing a huge sigh of relief) knowing the kiddies are going to be left in such great hands!
I shared with the boys and girls yesterday that this upcoming Friday (February 28th) will be my last day. The last six months with these chickadees has been such a blast, it will be hard to say goodbye! I will be in for visits of course and back next March with an open door!
Moms and dads... where does the time go?!? Today our (not so little) baby turns three!
Over the last few weeks we have been very busy bees in our literacy blocks! Here is an overview of what we have been buzzing about doing:
Word Study: we just wrapped up a unit on idioms, we have been working with plurals (es, ies and s endings) and of course our regular POTW work
Writing: we are wrapping up our procedural writing unit by creating a class cookbook, we have begun a mini unit on writing quotations and will begin comparative writing
Reading: we just finished up with the reading strategy of "asking questions", we continue to read passages and respond to questions that require us to support our thinking with evidence from the text
Sometimes I can't believe how efficient we are and the amount of learning that takes place in a day... our "Fun Fridays" are definitely much deserved!
This afternoon we began learning about division. Just like many of our math concepts, I teach the boys and girls a number of different strategies for them to put inside their imaginary tool belts. This way, when they are problem solving, they can dig out the strategy that they like to use best. I strongly urge the kiddies to continue to practice their multiplication songs and facts. Being able to recall multiplication facts quickly, helps make division seem that much easier! We now know a song for the three, four, six and as of today... seven times table.
The seven song goes to the tune of "Happy Birthday." Give it a try!
7, 14, 21,
28, 35, 42, 49,
56, 63!
Some kiddies asked today if I could post a list of the names of kids in the class for Valentine's cards.
Here they are:
Chris
Abby
Ava
Isabella
Aydin
Luc
Jacob
Kylie
Luke
Summer
Veronica
Zhenya
Silvia
Sophia
Sierra
Ivan
Kyle
Jorge
Leo
