We are almost into our 3rd week of school! I am away tomorrow (Monday September 19) for a workshop at the Vancouver School Board. There will be a TOC (teacher on call) in the classroom. The students are aware of my absence and we have discussed my expectations while I’m away.
This week:
Math: All three grades have been working hard learning about patterns. We have learned about core patterns and repeat patterns.
1s: the students are using many manipulatives in the classroom (building blocks, beads and wire, inclusive circles) to explore patterns and to illustrate their understanding.
2s: the students are learning about attributes and how patterns can change by size, shape and/or colour.
3s: the students are exploring and learning about the attributes of patterns through names and numbers.
Language: Writing in our creative writing journals is always encouraged. We were very inspired by Sadie’s story writing last week! I also expect the students to be reading and exploring books during our DEAR (drop everything and read) period after lunch. Students are exceptionally interested in researching and note taking right now, so many are reading and writing during this period!
1s: the students have been introduced to the moveable alphabet for their word study. The 1s are encouraged to choose word study as a wise work choice option. The students have also started a penmanship book to encourage practicing writing their letters.
2s and 3s: the students will begin or continue working with the Montessori grammar boxes. The students are also encouraged to work on their cursive penmanship books.
Culture: The Story of the Universe
We have started our culture study with the Story of the Universe and the Big Bang! We will finish reading “Born with a Bang!” and look at a few First Nations creation stories. We will be experimenting with states of matter (solid, gas, liquid) later in the week.
Classroom Community: Last week we worked together as a team to use our predicting skills and piece together “Zoom”. This book is a wordless picture book that zooms out with every page. I have made this book into an activity by dismantling the pages and having the students work together to sequence the story. This involves much communication, patience and teamwork. On Wednesday afternoon we successfully sequenced Zoom! The students worked so well together. I was impressed by the collaboration of all three grades and the communication that was needed for our success.
Every Friday afternoon we will be having a Peace Circle to close our week. This will be a time for us to offer gratitude to each other for a week of hard work. This will also be a time for the class to discuss anything that is working or not working in our classroom routines or to resolve any conflicts that may have risen.
PE: Mondays 1:45pm-2:15pm, Thursdays 9:45am-10:15am, Fridays 10:45am-11:15am
Music: Tuesdays and Wednesdays 1:45pm-2:15pm
Library: Tuesdays 2:15pm-2:55pm