News You Can Use!

Literacy 

Treasures:

This week, the children worked with diphthongs (ou, ow). The children read stories about bugs. They worked with using illustrations while reading texts. The children learned that authors and illustrators often use illustrations to support story elements such as characters and plot. We talked about how good readers use illustrations to better understand information about the characters and plot. 

Grammar Packets:

This week, the children learned that a sentence is made up of parts. They learned that the subject of a sentence is the part that tells whom or what the sentence is about.

Math 

In Math, the children worked with number-grid puzzles. They practiced counting, adding, and subtracting with 10s and 1s using number-grid patterns. The children enjoyed working with a partner to solve different number-grid puzzles.

On Tuesday, the children worked with adding and subtracting 2-digit numbers. They had to tell, write, and solve number stories using 2-digit numbers. The children chose different strategies to to solve the different addition and subtraction problems. They explained the strategies they used to solve the problems.

On Thursday, the children moved through 3 explorations. They measured their height to the nearest inch, created mirror images of a pattern-block design across a line of symmetry, and played the Number-Grid game. 

Science

This week, the scientists wrapped up their Weather Unit. They enjoyed an in class field trip from Hightouch Hightech. Scientist, Ms. Nicole, came in and presented, Weather or Not. The scientists engaged in different weather experiments. They took an up close and hands-on look at a real tornado. Watched as clouds were made indoors. They discovered all the amazing properties of air and air pressure. The scientists were very excited to touch lightning! Their favorite experiment was making the conditions change so they could lift ice cubes with a string. Enjoy the slide show below of all our wonderful weather experiment photos.

Social Studies

This week, the children were introduced to our final social studies unit on China. Over the next month, the children will learn how our lives in America are similar and different to children's lives in China. 

The children listened to the Chinese folktale, Ping-Li’s Kite. Then, they created symmetrical kites to hang from our ceiling. The children also generated a list of questions that they would like to research as we are learning about China.

Art Appreciation

On Friday, Mrs. Bartels came in and presented another Art Appreciation presentation to the children. This week, the children learned about artist Rene Magritte. They looked at two of his paintings, The Empire of Lights and Castle in The Pyrenees. The children learned that Rene Magritte was a surrealist painter. They discussed what made his paintings surreal and the similarities and differences between his paintings. Then, the children attempted to create their own surrealist work of art. Thank you Mrs. Bartels, we enjoyed your visit!

Have a great rest of the weekend!