This short 4 day week has went by fast!!! We spent time practice reading, writing, and using numbers to 120 and more specifically we focused on number sense and subitizing. These foundational strategies are key to adding and subtracting, which is to come. I talked with the kids about the importance of using numbers, writing them, and reading them. We discussed ways we use numbers every day and why they are important in the "real world." Today we began exploring the vocabulary more, fewer, and same. We explained our understanding of these vocabulary words by sharing real life examples of instances when we have more, fewer, or the same amount in comparison to someone else. We will continue to practice and expand on this math vocabulary next week as we finish and add to our math journals these important foundational terms.
In reading, we read "Jack's Talent" and discussed what a talent is and how we all have special talents. The kids practiced introducing themselves and sharing their talents, and then the students had a chance to write about themselves and their special talents. In reading, we also used our power pix to help us identify the title, author, illustrator, characters, and setting of a story. We will continue expanding on these foundational skills and story elements in the weeks to come. In addition to Jack's Talent we read Back to School. We used this Nonfiction text and its photographs to help us learn about what school is like in other parts of the world. As a group we learned the difference between a drawing and a photograph, and also compared and contrasted school in the United States to school in various other countries. This read aloud brought about great discussion and conversation. We were able to look at a globe and examine other countries as well as learn the country, state, and city we live in. It was neat to be able to tie the floods in Texas into this discussion and learning time. I loved hearing comments and questions like "there's the Gulf of Mexico," "what's a hurricane?" This makes for fun teaching and student engagement!
Our theme this week was Superheros and how we have special talents just like they do. During centers throughout the week the students worked on various superhero activities and games. They practiced staying on task at their centers, stopping when the timer goes off, and transitioning from one center to another. Today we got out our center folders and spent some time talking about the work that doesn't get done during centers and how we have to work hard to finish each task at each center. Some students had a few unfinished items that they took home. Normally they would have time to finish these during Fun Friday, but today I told them to take them home since we don't have school tomorrow. You will find most of the activities that went home this week are fun and a review of skills. During guided reading time the activities at each center are a review from previous material they have learned. It is usually independent work over a variety of skills, but is not always a worksheet.
The kids have worked hard to followed the rules and expectations in all areas of the school, and I am super proud of their hard work the last two weeks! You all have some SUPER kiddos and I feel blessed to teach them! I hope everyone has a nice long and enjoyable weekend!
