Growing Up!

Last week Mrs. Pecor's second grade class paid us a visit to collaborate on measurement.  They were able to share about measuring in different units (inches and centimeters) as well as how to graph measurement data that you gather.  We looked at a line plot of their class member's heights and noticed only two dots for any one measurement. That meant that no more than two students in their class were exactly the same height.  After they measured us, we arranged sticky notes with our measurements on them and noticed that the same was true in our class!  No more than two students were exactly the same height!    They will turn our sticky note sorting into a nice, neat line plot and bring it back to us.  Thanks second grade friends!

Here is a look at us making maps for the Bee Bots.  First we created a small map with a start and an end point.  Then, we enlarged our maps so that the Bee Bots could follow our coded directions.  

 

Let the Sun Shine!

What a week!  Being able to go outside without jackets this week was a thrill.  We took advantage of the weather and visited the courtyard for the first time in a long time.

Back in the classroom the children worked in groups to write stories that "added one more thing". Remember the old tale, "The House That Jack Built"?  "This is the rat that ate the cheese, this is the cat that chased the rat..."  Here's a look at our class using that concept as the springboard for original stories- stay tuned for updates.

Here's a look at our recent session with 5th Grade Buddies.  Mr. Wright's class helped us make "word family flowers" that are now on display on the back bulletin to use as a reference.

Wrapping up this post is a look at a math activity- measuring with a ruler to the nearest inch! We're excited to put our measuring skills to the test sometime next week when we measure the flight distance of paper airplanes.

Too Much For One Post

This past week was a short one with Thursday and Friday being half days due to Parent Conferences.  Looking back at all we accomplished, I was there and I don't know how we did it!  I thought about splitting this into separate posts but the pattern of this blog is to post highlights from the week, so... here goes. 

Early in the week the group who had been rehearsing a Reader's Theater version of Strega Nona  performed for the class.  From there, we channeled our excitement for great books into learning how to give Book Talks- telling a friend the main idea of a book , perhaps highlighting an exciting part, and letting the friend know how you'd rate the book from 1 (not for me) to 5 (so good I want to read it again and again!).  Have a look at Book Talks in action.

More partner work happened in Math this week.  Take a look at pairs of friends working together to measure tape paths with popsicle sticks as the unit of measure.

To finish up, here's a look at our first lego robotics session with Cailin's dad, Paul in the lead.  His expertise in robotics and design propelled us into building and programming in four collaborative teams in no time flat!  We can't wait to continue.  Before the day ended we found a little time to unwind with Cosmic Kids Yoga.

Another Fantastic Guest, Games and Good Times

Fun with Strega Nona continued this week with a little help from my good friend, Julie Graham.  Julie and I worked together at Chamberlin School and I feel incredibly lucky to have her visit every now and again to lend her expertise.  On Tuesday she worked with a group of students on a Reader's Theater version of Strega Nona.  Below you can see the actor/reader blowing the magical three kisses.  

While Mrs. Graham rehearsed with her group, others made some character puppets and a set piece to dramatize the story at the puppet theater.  

In Math this week a new game challenged the children to be aware of the operation sign (+ or -) as they tried to be the first squirrel to collect all the "nuts".  

Lastly, I wanted you to see a great example of this group's inclusive spirit.  In the blocks, with legos, even with books this class loves to team up and work together.

I Love Math Week...and more

You may have read in The Core that this past week was Orchard School's first ever "I Love Math Week".  Many classes had guest math teachers and our class was lucky enough to host Barbara Yarrick, Math Coach from Central School. Ms. Yarrick challenged the children to fold their 8 1/2 x 11 paper into a smaller and smaller rectangles, then a square and finally a triangle. Then she taught us how to make origami cups!  Unrelated to Math we also had fun this week reading books by Tomie de Paola.  Below you can see pictures of the children working in small groups to create posters about his book, Strega Nona.  The posters will be displayed outside our room for parent conferences.

Big Snow and Big Bees!

This week was definitely dominated by the big snow and I was able to capture a few photos just minutes after the children climbed a top the giant snow bank on Thursday.  Earlier that day Ms. Courcelle, our Tech Integration Specialist introduced our class to programmable Beebots- a super fun tool that helps children learn to code.  Below you can see her explaining the basics followed by pairs coding and programming in the tech lab.  To wrap up the week the fifth graders made a big impression on us with their recitation of many of the digits in Pi. There's also a photo of an excellent explanation of Pi that happened at All School morning meeting on Friday.

 

An Eventful Three Days

This post is largely about two special events that made a big impression during our short week back from break.  On Thursday, Cardboard Teck Professors Pete Talbot and Ben T. Matchstick spent the day in Kindergarten teaching us about Force and Motion using their invention, the Pinbox 3000.  I encountered Ben and Pete at the Art Hop last summer where they were displaying their cardboard pinball machine kits and I knew they could make our science curriculum come to life.  It was awesome to have them with us and you can check out their story on their website.  Click on the link below:
www.cardboardteckinstantute.com/

 

 
Push, Pull, Gravity, Force, Inclined Plane and Friction... its all there!

 

 

On a different science note, we celebrated a Candle Day on Friday by learning about Praying Mantises with one of our own, Kindergarten naturalists.  Candle Days are a simple way for children to share things they know and care about with the rest of the group.  We get to know each other and our families just a little bit more with each one. Have a look...