Here's just an update of what's happening in the classroom . . .
Math
Grade 1 - Students have been working on developing a conceptual understanding of addition and subtraction. This means that students are really working understanding and thinking about how math works. When I add one, what does that mean? Making these connections and making them early will help students to develop the procedural fluency that many of us associate with our own experiences in learning math.
Grade 2 - Students have been working on understanding word problems and understanding the language of math. Altogether, total, difference, how many are left, etc. Students have also been developing their skills in explaining their thinking and showing the evidence to support their answers (show your work!).
Literacy
We have been working together in small groups to develop our decoding and comprehension skills. As a class we have continued to work on recognizing our sight words and been building our skills in using phonics to help us read with fluency.
In writing, we have really started to focus on writing stories with all of the important elements - characters, setting, beginning, events, and a conclusion. Not all of our stories are climbing stories with a problem to solve, often the children enjoy walking stories where they can communicate an experience. A great example of a walking story is, "Owl Moon" by Jane Yolen.
Science
We have been learning about hot and cold. We have been using thermometers to take temperature and have really enjoyed thinking about how we can make the red line move.
Social Studies
We have been exploring the concept of community and what makes up a community. We have worked on people, places, and activities. We are shifting our focus a bit and beginning to focus in on Ramsay and what makes it a great community. We would love to go out on a few community walks to do a little more exploring - please let me know if you are able to join us and have police clearance.
