I'm linking up with Doodle Bugs Teaching for Five for Friday... on Saturday!
Here are some highlights from our first week back from winter break... it was a long one!!
ONE: Sound Unit
We finally finished our unit on sound this week. I decided to dive right into the NGSS standards even though New York state has not adopted the standards yet... I know they're coming and wanted to get a head start. As I looked at the standards I thought sound would be a hard topic for the kiddos to understand but they rose to the challenge and they enjoyed learning about sound.
To finish the unit I let my kiddos create their own instruments. I was so impressed with their ideas as well as how they worked together to build and problem solve some issues that arose as they created these amazing instruments.
TWO: Making 10
This week we reviewed how to make ten when adding and subtracting. When I first looked at this strategy I really questioned whether it made sense to introduce it. I thought maybe it would be more confusing than helpful. This week was confirmation that it's a worthy strategy... my kiddos really "got it" and have begun to apply it independently. I love our math block because it's an opportunity for the kiddos to use different strategies. I love learning how there little minds work as they explain to me and their math buddy how they solved a problem.
I found that using these double ten frames to model making 10 when adding 8 and 9 really drove the point home. Once the kids moved the manipulatives they made the connection to this strategy.
THREE: Contractions
A few week ago we introduced contractions and we did some word surgery that week to help my kiddos work with contractions. This week I wanted to add in a bit a review so we broke out these broken heart contractions. Last year we reviewed contractions the week before Valentine's Day so the broken heart theme worked but the kids loved the game none the less. I gave each of my kids a piece of a heart and had them circulate around the room to find their buddy. The only rule I gave them was they couldn't talk... this was a challenge for some!! We played a few times and they've been begging to play more so I'll think I'll add the cards to our pocket chart next week.
FOUR: Superhero Day
Yesterday was superhero day at our school. We had a ton of kids dressed up as superheros and princesses in our classrooms. When my kiddos arrived yesterday I didn't have my costume on yet and one of my kiddos told me it was ok because teachers are superheros everyday... not sure where he heard that, but it was a sweet thing to say!
Anyway, after our early morning special I got a chance to wear my Super E cape and mask. I introduced the cape a few weeks ago when we started super e but the kiddos were excited to see it reappear this week! It also served as a good long vowel review... after doing some report card assessments this week we definitely could use the review!!
FIVE: Vanilla Latte
So I love Starbucks Vanilla Latte but it pains me to spend $5 on a coffee drink. For $5 I can get 2 medium coffees at Dunkin Donuts so it's a huge treat to stop and get a latte at Starbucks. Last week at the grocery store I found these Starbucks Via Instant Vanilla Latte packs and I'm impressed. Just 8 oz. of hot water, pour in the packet, and you've got yourself a vanilla latte. Not as good as a latte from Starbucks but pretty close. Best part is it's easy to make at school and I don't need to worry about having sugar and creamer available.
Have a great weekend.. Don't forget to check out Doodle Bugs Teaching for more Five for Friday posts!
