Math Problem Solving, Andy Acid and a New Friend

Today we welcomed our newest classmate.  She is going to be a great addition to our group!

This morning, I introduced the boys and girls to our math programs.  We began by working together in the Problem Solver series.  This program breaks down and targets one of ten strategies for solving math problems in each of its lessons.  This week's focus was on the strategy, “Use Logical Reasoning.”  The students worked well together to identify each clue and to solve the problem.  

Next, I introduced them to the TOPS (Techniques in Problem Solving) Math program.  TOPS is a challenging, individualized program that allows students to progress at their own pace.  As the students learn each of the 10 Problem Solver strategies, they will build their personal "toolbox" of skills and be better equipped to solve their TOPS Math cards.  Your child will have an opportunity to show you their TOPS Math work at our Oct. 2nd, SAGE Open House.

Today the students met our 2nd Quirkle Scientist, Andy Acid.

As a part of our experiment, the students used litmus paper to test lemon juice and a baking soda water solution to see if they were an acid or base.  

We moved through the scientific process, recording our hypothesis, observations and conclusions.  We also had an opportunity to discuss what a chemical reaction is.  

Anastasia shared that sometimes her stomach hurts after she eats.  She called it a "tummy bubble."  This was a perfect real world problem that could be explained by the carbon dioxide created during the chemical reaction between the baking soda and lemon juice.

Next, we reviewed our procedures for using our Exploratory centers and how to keep our Exploratory learning contract up to date.  The students rotated between their center tasks and typing last week's rough draft of their, "Take a Closer Look at Me Poem."  They did a great job on both!  The poems will be on display at our fall Open House.

Rotation D, Our 2nd Week of Exploratory on PhotoPeach

Next we spent time discussing our classroom rules:

1. There is no such thing as a dumb question or answer. 
2. This is a safe place to try new things.
3. It’s okay to say, “I don’t know.”
4. If you don’t understand, ask.
5. If you still don’t understand, ask again.
6. Be respectful of other peoples’ feelings and ideas.
7. It’s okay to disagree– try explaining your ideas.
8. It’s okay to be yourself, originality is in!
9. None of us are perfect.
10. This is a safe place to make mistakes- jump in a give it a try!

I am confident the boys and girls will find success with these rules.

At the end of our day, we looked at some of the comments that have been posted by our Quadblogging friends.  This week, our blog is the focus for our group.  The classes from Gisborne, New Zealand, Formby, England and Norwich, England are stopping by our blog to see what we are learning and to leave a comment or two (or five or six!)  

The D day students addressed the comment from our new friends, Miss Grant & the boys and girls at St. Luke's School.  Each day, our different classes will read and respond to the comments left on our blog by our Quadbogging friends.  Take a moment to read some of their comments on It's Our Turn.  If you and your child have a little time, go and visit each of their blogs.  They would love your complimentary comments too.

Have a great week!

Week two and we are off and rolling!

At the start of our SAGE day, the boys and girls finished writing the rough draft of their "Take a Closer Look at Me" poem.  Next week the students will type them.  They should be finished and on display by our Oct. 2nd Fall Open House.


Next, the students learned about International Dot Day and we read the book, The Dot. International Dot Day is a time to celebrate creativity in our children.  More than a half a millions teachers and students are participating in the global project.  Each child is asked to create their own dot image.  The students came up with a diverse gallery of dots. 

 For anyone who has been afraid to express themselves - from a child in art class to an adult whose fear has shut down a dream, Peter H. Reynolds' book The Dot (Candlewick Press) is there to remind us all to "Make your mark, and see where it takes you."

After recess and lunch, we discussed Bloom's Levels of Thinking and what each level might look like.  I introduced our Exploratory centers and the procedures we follow to select and complete a center.  The students had an opportunity to look through the choices and list their top three picks.  The boys and girls met with me individually to be sure their first choice center is a good fit for them. Ask your child which center he/she chose and what drew them to that center. 

The first step in beginning any center is to fill out their Exploratory Contract.  This helps me keep track of their individualized work and it empowers the children to become more independent in their learning.

After filling out their contracts, they had about 20 minutes to begin the reading at their chosen center.  Next week, they will have time to continue their reading and/or watch their center’s video.  (The Knowledge Level task usually takes 2-3 SAGE days to complete.)

Today, we also wanted to take advantage of our new podcasting booth.  Below you will find our very first podcasts.  We used the site, Audioboo.fm to make our recordings.  Each student made their podcast about something they learned from the center’s Knowledge Level reading task.

listen to ‘Rotation D-1’ on Audioboo

listen to ‘Rotation D-2’ on Audioboo

listen to ‘Rotation D-3’ on Audioboo

listen to ‘Rotation D-4’ on Audioboo

listen to ‘Rotation D-5’ on Audioboo

listen to ‘Rotation D-6’ on Audioboo

listen to ‘Rotation D-7’ on Audioboo

listen to ‘Rotation D-8’ on Audioboo

Fantastic First Graders- Fabulous First Day!

The Rotation D day first graders are off to a wonderful start!  It was nice to see my returning students and to have a chance to get to know our new classmates.   To get to know each other a little better, the students took turns interviewing a classmate they didn't know (or didn't know as well.)  Each partner recorded a few facts about him/her and then introduced them to the rest of us.  

 

Next, we took a hike down to our science lab....

There were lots of things to discover along the way....

---Sunflowers and their seeds, grass tasseling, three leaf clover (maybe not lucky, but definitely special,) dragonflies, birds chirping and the highly prized, dead butterfly's wing, sadly not a matched set.

Once in our "lab" we had a discussion, about what kinds of objects can be connected to the field of science.

Amazingly enough, we learned that even sparkly, pink nail polish, Ziplock bags and gummy worms could be connected to a field of science.  I discovered we have some bright scientists in the making in our class.

After a recess, that is never long enough, the boys and girls were introduced to the Quirkles Science program.  Our first Quirkle we are learning about is Inquisitive Inman.  We read an interesting story with numerous vocabulary words like: intelligent, immediately, instruments, and investigate.  Then we conducted our first investigation of the year.  Watch the video below to join us on our explorations.  Be sure and have your child share their science experiment log with you too.






After lunch, we went to the computer lab to refresh/ introduce some of our computer skills.  The boys and girls learned to log in to our computers with their new user name and password.  They also practiced accessing our class blog.  There are many wonderful student and parent resources on the tabs along the top of our Primary Thinkers "home" page.  We hope you will check back each week for new updates and to allow your child to practice commenting on our blog posts and to access the variety of resources here.

Next, we started a "getting to know you" writing project.  You will hear more about it in the next two weeks.  The finished products will be on display at our October 2nd, Fall Open House.  

I think it was a pretty successful day!  I am looking forward to our year together!
Have a wonderful week!

Our Quadblogging Friends

This year we will be participating in a global learning collaboration called Quadblogging.  The Quadblogging project matches four classrooms from around the world to share their blogs and share their learning.

For more information, go to our Primary Thinkers home page.