Sunday 31 March 2013

Math Chalkboard


Hello all!

Welcome to the grade 1 math chalkboard. Here you will find helpful posts and links to help you’re children learn more about what we will be doing in classroom.  At the moment, the unit we are on is, Geometry and Spatial Sense.
For the past two weeks we have been working on:
  o   Identifying common two-dimensional shapes and three-dimensional figures and classify them by their attributes.
  o  Identifying and describing common two- dimensional shapes (e.g. circles, triangles, rectangles, squares) and sort and classify them by their attributes (e.g., colour; size; texture; number of sides), using concrete materials and pictorial representations.
  o   Identifying and describing common three- dimensional figures (e.g., cubes, cones, cylinders, spheres, rectangular prisms) and sort and classify them by their attributes
  o   Describing similarities and differences between an everyday object and a three- dimensional figure.

Here are some 2D and 3D shapes you can review with your children at home! 




Parents!
In math we are currently learning about 2D and 3D shapes.  Here are some videos that will help you’re children learn the many shapes!



2D shapes Video



 3D shapes video!



 Shapes Are All Around Us!

While at home, get your children to take a look around at some objects in the house, are there any 2D shapes? Any 3D shapes? Have them write and draw them in their math journals!  This is a great way to build you’re child’s curiosity about 2D and 3D shapes.








Hello all!

In class this week we have been reading the book, The Greedy Triangle by Marilyn Burns.   In this introduction to polygons, a triangle convinces a shapeshifter to make him a quadrilateral and later a pentagon, but discovers that where angles and sides are concerned, more isn't always better.

After reading the book, I had the students think about what shape they would want to be and why.  They completed a worksheet explaining why they chose that shape, and then created a shape monster for the shape they had chosen.

With your consent I had taken a picture in class today of the children’s completed shape monsters! They look amazing…. Take a look



Science Chalkboard




Hello All!

Welcome to the grade 1 science chalkboard!  Here you will find helpful posts and links to help you’re children learn more about what we will be doing in classroom.  At the moment, the unit we are on is, Understanding Earth and Space Systems: Daily and Seasonal Changes.

For the past two weeks we have been working on: 

  o   Investigating daily and seasonal changes.
  o   Looking at the impact of daily and seasonal changes on living things, including humans.
  o   Discussing the impact of daily and seasonal changes on human outdoor activities (e.g., farming, gardening, swimming, skating, soccer) and identify innovations that allow for some of these activities to take place indoors out of season



About the Seasons

Weather is something we experience everyday. It’s a great learning tool for young children because it leads to exploration and discovery. For young children, studying the weather is based on experiencing the outdoors and understanding the changes that come with each season. Join the PBS website for some educational videos, pictures, and posts!




Here are some videos that will help your children learn more about the seasons.



The Seasons Song! Sing along while you learn.  This educational video teaches the children about the four seasons in a fun and engaging way!





Sesame Street Video 
Can you guess the season? This video allows you’re children to put their knowledge of the seasons to the test!  They can sing along while answering questions! 




Parents!
As a class today we read the book,  Four Seasons Make a Year by Anne Rockwell. This is a great book about the seasons as well as a great writing tool to use in the classroom.






We have also made our four seasons bulletin board. After reading the book, we brainstormed as a class  some ideas about what each season looks like to us! Check it out!








Parents!

In class today we were brainstorming as a class some activities that can be done in each season, and the impact that some seasons may have on certain activities.  We also talked about how the seasons affect what we wear (in winter we wear jackets and boots, in the summer we need sunscreen, hats, t-shirts).





Weather Game!


Gerald’s Weather wheel! You’re children can enjoy this interactive game that will help them practice determining proper attire for different types of weather. Gerald helps the user to understand when they have dressed him appropriately for the weather and when they need to change something!!














Here is an activity you can do with you're child at home! Now that we have been learning about the seasons, the children should have an idea about what each season will look like!  They must label each box with the season they think it is, as well as adding some pictures they think should go with each season (this can include activities, insects, colours!).












Hello all!

As you know in science we have been learning and investigating daily and seasonal changes.  This past week we have now began to learn about:

      o   The impact of daily and seasonal changes on living things, including humans.
      o   Demonstrating an understanding of what daily and seasonal changes are and of how these 
                   changes affect living things.

I have arranged for scientists in the school to visit our classroom in two weeks, on Friday April 26th 2013.   They will conduct a workshop for the students about animal coverings and adaptations.  I can’t wait for this, I know the children will have a fun and educational time!

The field trip letter will be sent home with your children tomorrow, so be sure to sign and return the form as soon as possible!