Like a hamster on its wheel, we keep running and running with our learning and have been very busy in language arts, math, science, and social studies! In language arts, we continue to meet with our small guided reading groups to work on the comprehension skills of predicting, making connections, and summarizing. When working with your children at home, please encourage them to use the language "I predict..." and "This reminds me of..." to practice making predictions and connections.
In writing, we recently concluded the drafting of "My Favorite Season" and are now drafting a new piece related to "What I'd Do With One Hundred Dollars." Parents, you'd be impressed--the children generated some thoughtful ideas including donate it to a pet shelter, give it to a church, give it to Goodwill, etc. :)
Upon finishing the writing, students will review synonyms and antonyms and extend their learning by using a thesaurus. The book Thesaurus Rex will hook them into the lessons. Then they will use a personal thesaurus to help them create their own book of synonyms. Hopefully, students will begin replacing "dead" words in their stories with juicier words from the thesaurus. :)
Math, as always, keeps us very busy!! We are so pleased that almost the entire class made a 3 on their 2-digit addition summative assessment!!! Now, we are working on counting a combination of coins and bills. Students created a Touch Money strip to help them count the coins by 5's. To practice counting by 5's, students use a tennis ball to bounce on beat to the rhythm of the skip counting chant...very fun!! Other activities include(d) a Munchie Math money activity where the Fruit Loops represented the coins, creation of a wallet with 3 different coin representations, Promethean flipcharts, station rotations, and more...
Thanks to all of you who donated items to our matter experiments! The children LOVED them, especially the chemical change using vinegar, baking soda, and a balloon. These experiments, as well as educational videos, books on matter, the software program KidPix, and crafts (using magazines to cut examples of solids, liquids, and gases) have helped students to understand characteristics of the 3 states AND methods by which they can be changed.
Now, we will be diving into Social Studies--specifically the regions of Georgia: coastal plain, piedmont, appalachian plateau, ridge and valley, and Blue Ridge Mountains. Students will enjoy reading an interactive book on the regions, creating a flip book, and decorating a large brownie (to represent Georgia) with various candies to depict the 5 regions and for what they're best known. Educational and yummy too!
