Another week – another memo – so much has been done – so much remains to be done.  We have many projects in process, and it is challenging to keep them all moving forward.  It really became noticeable that time must be spent on task, rather than chatting when we had to fill out the blueprint homework sheets and only half of the children had identified their 7 State Wonders.  The children knew they were not done because they hadn’t used the time given for this work wisely.  We talked some of responsibility and privilege.

This is an important lesson to learn.  Please remind your child that multi-tasking is a myth if you are expecting quality work.  You can talk or you can work, but you cannot talk and work at the same time.  The children also need to be reminded that talking about work, is not working.

Working on Organization and Wise Time Management – S.E.L.

This week we created a rule saying that video games can only be talked of at lunch and recess.  They can no longer be a topic in the classroom – not even during snack or transitions times and not in the hall as we move “respectfully” (sadly too many doors are shut when we pass by) through the hall.  I am hoping this rule ends what seems to be a tremendous time drain in our school day.  If your child has connected with classmates through various games, you may want to check to see how it is going.  In the classroom I was hearing concerns of exclusion, inappropriate language, and uncomfortable screen names.

I am guessing though, that with the removal of one topic, others will arise.  So we will have to remain vigilant with how our time is used. We have many deadlines to meet this spring.  Every minute must be used carefully if we are to complete our book reviews (final persuasive writing piece) by April 18, the writing for the class magazine by May 1st, prepare and present our State Wonders for May 22 along with our science exploration of habitats and food-webs and prepare and present final work portfolios sharing what students have worked on and accomplished.

It would be helpful if you could encourage your child to think and talk about some of this work so they have ideas and can more easily begin each project.  Some children are naturally thinking and devising plans for what they will do next.  They know how to organize their time.  Others need a boost.

 

Working with Fractions

This week we explored equivalent fractions.  Lily brought in a set of fraction cards that helped us understand this concept. (Thank you!)  We saw that 1/2=2/4=3/6=4/8.  We also worked with geoboards and pattern blocks to develop this understanding by exploring congruent eighths and finding all the ways a hexagon can be built.

Finally each student made a set of fraction bars.  With them we will explore the relationship between denominators.  Children can see how knowing multiplication helps in seeing how amounts are related.  For example 6/12 = 1/2 because 6×2=12.  It was exciting to see and hear all the great math thinking going on with fractions this week.

Moving Toward More Efficient Math Strategies

 Also with math we have been exploring an even wider variety of problems that challenged the children to follow different lines of logic and work as efficiently as possible.  For example if there were 98 balls in a shipment and each ball cast $2.00, how much would it cast to sent three shipments.  With this problem some children chose to use the standard algorithm while others multiplied.  Some found the total number of balls and then doubles while others found the cost of one shipment and tripled that.  It was interesting for the class to see all three approaches came to the same solution.  And each approach was evidence that the students had master new skills.  It was a concrete example of learning that is not always easy to see.

Bits and Pieces –

• We can’t wait for Katie to return!
• We shared the Berenstain Bears and The Blame Game this week.  This was to reaffirm the need for clear “I statements” and the need to care with one another.  We talked about how this is more challenging for us at school than it was for the Bears at home.  It was an interesting reminder.
• The blueprint planning sheets came home on Wednesday.  Please remind your child to think about that process and find time to get that done for next Tuesday.
• We are creating our animal wonders in art.  We are learning golf in P.E.
• We have continued on with book clubs.  I am proud of the children who took the responsibility to read and be prepared for discussion.  Their example reminded others of what it means to meet an obligation.  We are having fun with Humphrey.
• Again there are some great blog posts for you to read and comment on.  The children are really anxious to be read.
• The personal safety puppet show is this Monday.