Integrated Learning

Our Long Ago and Today unit has come to an end and I want to share a look at how this theme enabled us to have hands-on learning experience across many aspects of the curriculum.  In the pictures below you can see how the children were able to make the story of The Ox Cart Man come to life through dramatic play.  In Math, everyone learned to weave a simple over under pattern with paper and then many children put their new skill to the test by weaving a tiny "blanket".  With the thoughtful help of many parents, our sharing time this month also furthered our understanding- check out the class drawing with charcoal that was brought in as a classmate's share.  And lastly, our big buddies got in on the action by helping us to put together a lift-the-flap scene with facts about the first Thanksgiving.

So Much to Share

After looking through the last few postings I made a mental note to try to photograph different types of learning- not just table work.  The truth is, I think it's easiest for me to assume the role of photographer when the class is working at their table spots!  However, with this week being one of Ms. Jane's two leadership weeks, I was able to take a different perspective.  Below you can have a look at:  Ms. Jane instructing the class in how to draw some 3D shapes, how to retell the story of the first Thanksgiving with the beads on a bracelet symbolizing parts of the story, a Farm to School session about root veggies, and meeting the quilt square challenge after reading the book Sam Johnson and the Blue Ribbon Quilt.

Long Ago and Today

As you know we've been learning about differences between long ago and today and a major inspiration for our learning is the book The Ox Cart Man by Donald Hall.  If you've never read it I suggest you check it out.  The illustrations by Barbara Cooney (in her American folk art style) are lovely and equally informative is the Reading Rainbow presentation of the book which takes the viewer to a living museum in Old Sturbridge Village, Massachusetts to see what life was like in the mid 1800's.  I showed the episode to the children last week and they really enjoyed it.  

In class last week EVERYONE had a chance to make a candle- just like in the book. We've also been enjoying sewing samplers at quiet time and making model Ox Carts with help from our big buddies.  Below you can see us sewing, writing lists of what the Ox Cart man made or grew to sell at the market, AND making the items on the list out of modeling clay to load into our carts.  It's been interesting hearing the children comment, unsolicited, about how sewing is relaxing and makes them feel calm.  I think dipping candles had a similar effect. 

  

Apologies for no pictures of the candle or butter making!  

What's Going On in Literacy?

Last week in Reader's Workshop the children worked in pairs to learn about what life was like long ago from a collection of books that each focused on a different aspect of life: transportation, communication, home, school, and toys!  I encouraged the pairs to apply the strategy, "when you're done you've just begun" which prompts beginning readers to search pictures AND words for more meaning. Later in the session we came back together as a whole group to share our discoveries Have a look...

New for us during our Literacy block is a Choice Chart that explains what literacy related activities are available once "have-to's" are finished.  Below you can have a look at friends using the storytelling materials and reading from poetry journals- both choices from the chart.

Learning From One Another

Some super moments in work and play last week came about when classmates inspired each other with their hard work, creative ideas and positive attitudes.  We've had some discussions about how the way we act effects those around us and how kindness really makes a difference.  I hope you can see the way the children are supporting and respecting one another in the pictures below. I slipped in two photos from our Halloween celebration as well!

All in a Three Day Week

It may have been short, but we used every minute last week to go deeper and learn more.  On Monday, I took the children outside to the rock circle to create rock paper rubbings (much the way that Leo Lionni would have done) so we could have paper rocks for our mural of the Fredrick story.  Here is a picture of us putting it together after already having made paper mice just the way Leo did.

After school on Monday Ms.Verrill (third grade teacher) and I attended a Farm to School gathering as teacher representatives among all kinds of professionals connected to the initiative.  We are so fortunate in SB to have the support of parent volunteers and Common Roots in this endeavor.

Rounding out some important activities this week were some practice on white boards making sentences with popcorn words, contsructing paper chains that show combinations that total five, and collecting materials in the woods to make fairy houses in the courtyard.  Have a look!

 

Big Buddies and Bigger Buddies

Getting together with our fifth grade buddies is a highlight for our class every week and this week was no exception.  On Wednesday I was fortunate to have help putting the gardens to bed from a group of students from SBHS.  The crew was very industrious and with some careful planning they were able to pick some apples from our favorite tree and help our class make applesauce'  I think the High School crew has so much fun working (and playing) that they want to come back in the spring!  Later that day, of fifth grade friends helped us with a Fall Scavenger Hunt.  Take a look at the scarecrow hiding in the raspberries.