Mathematics Throughout our current unit, From Land to Sea, we have been working toward developing a deeper understanding of addition and subtraction. Our current math workplaces focus on these skills with activities such as, “Bugs in the Garden Addition” and “Hungry Shark Subtraction.” Furthermore, the children are becoming increasingly comfortable counting large quantities of numbers by 5’s, 10’s, and 20’s and solidifying their understanding of number patterns. We have been applying these methods as we investigate ways in which to solve more complex problems. Currently, students are demonstrating their creativity and number sense in designing their own crab and sea star word problems. The children recognize that there are many strategies one might employ in order to arrive at the total number of legs. Some children feel comfortable counting with their fingers, drawing, or using manipulative materials, while others count silently in their heads or rely on memorization of facts. Soon, they will swap their problems with one another to solve! ********** Social Studies
Our thematic unit, “From Here to There,” has continued to be nothing but intriguing. For the past month, we have been thoroughly immersed in map exploration. From closely examining the details and features of a variety of different types of maps (thanks to all those who brought in maps to share!), to constructing a giant “tool map” of the classroom, to mapping the path of a character’s journey in a book, to mapping the students’ routes from home to school, first graders have been developing a strong sense of the different ways to communicate or depict location and landscape. Vicki Miles took our unit to yet another level during technology class by presenting the students with a birds-eye-view map of Penn Charter puzzle (a Google Earth photo). The students needed to drag the puzzle pieces to their correct place in order to then identify well-known Penn Charter landmarks such as the track, the tower, the parking lot, etc… They were also challenged to sequence a number of photographs that depicted the route from our classrooms to the main office, and then a greater challenge – our classrooms to the meeting room. So, as you can see, it has been quite a journey, in both the literal and figurative sense of the word! Speaking of journeys, we have been slowly hinting at our next unit – Africa! In preparation, we have already determined that an ocean separates our own country from Africa, and have even discussed which modes of transportation could actually get us to Africa. Hmmm… what next? Stay tuned! ********** Online Resources! There are many library and technology resources available to Penn Charter Lower School families. Please visit the Lower School Technology and Trask Library online pages to find out about these resources. | Reading Workshop Right now our reading work focuses on becoming character experts. Students are learning how to infer information about characters, noticing how a character feels and what a character thinks. The children notice and talk about changes in a character across the text and relate to characters by making personal connections with them. This work is done during whole group lessons when a teacher demonstrates with a particular character. In character study, students may place post-it notes by places that give them information about a character. For example, they look for places where a character has a problem or is helpful, mean, happy, or sad, and think about why the character feels this way. They think about what kind of person the character is, and also think about how the character is like or unlike them. Have fun talking with your children about the characters in the books they read and hear read aloud at home and at school! You might also continue the conversation by mentioning qualities of characters in any adult books you, yourself are reading! **********
Writing Workshop The children continue to be enthralled with our Writing Workshop and are expanding their writing genres to include instructional manuals, memoirs, and what Lucy Caulkins refers to as "Small Moments". The instruction manuals, or "How to..." books have served many purposes as children have thought about and had discussions about audience, sequence, and process. The memoirs continue to be a favorite, as the children write about their own unique lives and experiences. In developing "Small Moments" the children are encouraged to stretch a simple action or short event into a descriptive story.
Our children have become more thoughtful authors! They are learning a great deal from one another through sharing their writing pieces with partners or with the whole group. They take the feedback process very seriously, as they listen intently to "questions and comments" about their work. Writing workshop continues to be a cherished time for children to share their ideas, and we hope that this flows into a dinner conversation at home! Ask your young author about his or her latest work in progress! **********
Important Dates!
Monday, April 13 - Friday, April 17th -Lower School Arts Show Tuesday, April 21st -Breakfast With Your Child 7:30 – 8:00am -Drop and Stop 8:15 – 9:15am Friday April 24th -Tree Tenders Event in Inn Yard Park (Chaperones not needed for this event.) 10:00 am – 12:00 pm -Lower School Family Fun Night: Ice Cream Social 6:00 – 8:00 pm |
April 2009 |