tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57604833783974661602007-11-24T04:52:08.879-08:00Mrs. H.Blogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5760483378397466160.post-28799279305053954232007-11-23T05:20:00.000-08:002007-11-24T04:52:08.909-08:00<b>Interesting Investigations<br /><br /></b>mummification, bacteria, decay, rituals<br />English settlers and the First Thanksgiving<br /><br /><br /><b>Daily Discoveries<br /></b><ul><li>Determining all the <span style="font-style: italic;">prime</span> numbers from 1 to 100</li><li>Identifying the parts of a sentence (predicate, subject and objects)</li><li>Forming a hexagon from six equilateral triangle</li><li>Figuring out that you never get any units when you multiply by the hundreds</li><li>Discovering syllabication rules</li><li>Finding that common denominators can be formed by multiplying two denominators together.<br /></li><li>Determining the classes of favorite vertebrates and invertebrates<br /></li></ul><b><br />Words of the Week</b><br /><br />infinity, dodecahedron<br /><br /><b><br />Exciting Events<br /><br /></b><span style="font-style: italic;"></span>In October, we prepared several pumpkins and then used the cooked pulp to bake cookies for the Thanksgiving Feast. This week we made a delicious vegetarian stuffing to be shared with the whole school. We had planned to make pies, but a parent generously donated them instead.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Reminder: Field Trip to Kennedy Center - Friday, Nov. 30th </span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Home Happenings</span><br /><br />Usborne Books have been ordered. Mrs. Ackerman visited on Monday morning to give the students Certificates of Participation, and to let them know that their books will be delivered on December 5th. Not only did the children seem to have a very positive reading experience wihch lead to many book discussions, but they also seemed to earn quite an amazing number of books for continued reading enjoyment. Much to our surprise, the teaching staff was able to select $1,400.00 (60% of the pledge amounts) in books at various reading levels for our classrooms and school library, as well.<br /><br />Thank you very much for the terrific level of participation in this event!<br /><br /><br /><b></b><b>Parent Particulars<br /><br /></b><span style="font-style: italic;">C</span><i>rocheting a chain stitch</i> was added to the classroom choices of work this week. Once a child becomes skilled at this beginning stitch, a subsequent lesson will introduce the <span style="font-style: italic;">single crochet stitch</span>, and then those that continue to be interested can take off with projects of their own.<br /><br />There are many benefits to including handwork such as crochet in the elementary classroom. Handwork helps to develop hand-eye coordination, dexterity, organizational and problem solving skills while at the same time offering some relaxation and relief from more cerebral and often taxing academic challenges. Amazing concentration ability can be spawned by handwork, even in children who may otherwise have the most difficulty focusing. Even younger <span style="font-style: italic;">boys</span> enjoy trying their hand at the task, and then make gifts for mothers and sisters. It brings about individual creativity, feelings of good nature, a sense of accomplishment and self-confidence, and a warm, homey feeling in the classroom as we each see what others create. The children develop a sense of respect for the ways human beings have met their basic needs throughout the ages, often wanting to know more about the progression of weaving and stitching in various cultures. Very often they want to contribute to society by making home goods which will communicate warmth and caring to those in need. <b><br /></b><br />Children become independent in this type of handwork very quickly. The goal is to be able to start longer, independent projects which may take a few weeks to complete. Once they are able to work without much intervention on a project, they may also bring their own yarn and crochet hooks to school. I suggest they carry their things in a little backpack, bag or purse. The projects may be worked on during quiet periods where they need to wait for others to be ready for a group activity such as before/after lunch, after recess, or when jobs are complete. I also allow crocheting while I read to the class. Some children may even choose to work on their projects during bad-weather indoor recess periods.Mrs. H.tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5760483378397466160.post-49955894756979618642007-11-14T15:15:00.000-08:002007-11-15T16:59:53.576-08:00<span style="font-weight: bold;">Interesting Investigations<br /><br /></span>Mayan Nose Jewelry, Aztec Sacrifices and Inca Messenger Services<br />Ted Geisel's (Dr. Seuss) Biography<br />Egyptian mummies<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Daily Discoveries<br /><br /></span>Two children derived Roman Numerals from 1 to 237.<br />Several children have discovered how to multiply by two digits without materials.<br />One child learned how to successfully connect cursive letters and add capital letters to his work.<br />A few children learned how to reduce fractions and form equivalent fractions without using materials.<br />Some children calculated the factors of the numbers 1 through 68.<br />Two children wrote silly sentences with pairs of homonyms.<br /><b><br />Words of the Week</b><br /><br />discord, doldrums, disconsolate, chroma<br /><br /><b></b><b>Exciting Events</b><br /><br />Usborne Read-a-thon ends today!<br /><br /><b>Community Contributions<br /></b><br />We have been setting goals to finish our tie quilt which will be donated to Project Linus.<br /><br /><b>Home Happenings<br /><br /></b>Students need to return their wish lists by Friday.<br /><b><br />Parent Particulars</b><br /><br />Daily lunch seating is periodically rearranged by playing a variety of innovative seating games. This week, a group of students made a list of the children's <span style="font-style: italic;">middle</span> names and then alphabetized them to decide who would be called first to get ready for lunch. Our rule for these games is that the each person may choose his table with one exception: he may not sit at the table chosen by the person who went before him.<br /><br />Periodic rotation of seats in this manner helps the children learn to mingle and develop social relationships with more than just a small group of friends, while also allowing them to maintain some freedom of choice within the process. We still usually have one or two days per week where they are allowed to <span style="font-style: italic;">freely</span> choose where they would like to sit without any game playing to mix things up.Mrs. H.