Science
We have started a new science unit on solids and liquids. This a very hands on approach to learning about the properties of solids. We began by observing 2 solids; a plastic spoon and a metal ball. Children compared and contrasted the objects in small groups. We then went on to explore a whole bag of solids and sort them by properties including shape, color, and size.
Writing
We have wrapped up our small unit stories! We celebrated our work and created a special space in our classroom to showcase our pieces. I hope you enjoyed the take home stories that came home last week! Our next unit will be teaching books (informational writing!)
We continue to grow our bank of addition and subtraction strategies to help us be more efficient with our processes. The last few weeks the focus has shifted to making 10 strategies, thinking about related facts, and using addition to help solve subtraction problems. We also have a number of tools we use to help show our thinking. Some of these include double tens frames, Part Part Whole mats, and number lines. This week are specifically learning how to use our Part Part Whole mat as a tool for finding the missing part of both subtraction and addition equations.
Reading
In the meanwhile we are taking time before break to to do some writing connected to the Gingerbread Stories we have been reading! Writing for reading is a great way to strengthen comprehension skills and share responses to books we've read. We worked as a class to compare the many versions of the Gingerbread stories we've read over the last 2 weeks. We focused on major events, key details, and story structure. The children also worked on a collaborative project to retell the beginning, middle, and end of the story The Gingerbread Bear.
I hope you found this peak into our learning helpful and informative! Have a wonderful holiday and a Happy New Year!
