Highlights From Our Week
GOLDILOCKS AND THE THREE BEARS
Our fairytale unit continues as we are reintroduced to the beloved tale, GOLDILOCKS AND THE THREE BEARS. Studying more than one version of a fairytale provides us with the opportunity to compare and contrast the tales through the use of story elements, as well as story maps. We began our week reading two versions of this fairytale as we focused on the story elements exhibited in the chart below. These books both shared the same elements with a few twists. Please ask your child to share the differences in these fairytales.
Our story map which emphasizes the key elements of the story is an excellent retelling tool. Retelling ensures comprehension, fosters imagination, and builds a connection with you, the parent, as your child retells the story.
Puppet Show
Puppets also provide a wonderful opportunity for retelling a story and exhibiting a child’s imagination. In addition, the children further develop their oral language through the use of expressive vocabulary.
Writer's Workshop
During Writer’s Workshop, I am encouraging the children to become more confident as they sound out words. They use the Jolly Phonics sound card and the word wall (lovie word/high frequency words) as resources. Please let me know if you would like an additional Jolly Phonics card to use at home.
Our New Jolly Phonics Sounds /y/ and /x/
The children were introduced to our Jolly Phonics sounds /y/, and /x/. They listened to the stories and sang songs. Our next activities involved forming the letters "y and x” using “Handwriting Without Tears" language. We blended words using our new sounds. On Seesaw, your child has recorded the blending process of reading their new words. Please celebrate his/her successful ability to decode.
Read to Self
We initiated our "read to self" activity this week. On our first day, the children read for 4 minutes. They are looking forward to building their reading stamina after spring break. Their goal is to be able to read from their book box independently in an allotted time period.
It's All About Geometry
Our study continues with 2 dimensional shapes as evidenced below. Ask your child how they created these shapes with popsicle sticks.
I posed the question: “How many different ways can you fill a hexagon?” This question led to observations, collaboration, and experimentation. We revisited this task numerous times. Then we discovered as we utilized specific pattern blocks, there were more than five combinations to fill a hexagon, then six, and finally we filled the hexagon using seven different combinations.
Our introduction to 3 dimensional shapes began by watching the video, 3D SHAPES I KNOW. Please click on the picture below to view the video.
The children experimented with Magna-Tiles, polydrons, waffle blocks, and marshmallows as they designed 3 dimensional shapes.
Geometric Challenge
CAN YOU BUILD A STRUCTURE TO DEMONSTRATE A SPHERE’S MOMENTUM?
CAN YOU BUILD A STRUCTURE TO DEMONSTRATE A SPHERE’S MOMENTUM?
The children built ramps with inclines and declines in order to see how far a sphere can roll. Their teamwork displayed perseverance as exhibited by their many attempts to achieve success.
Enjoy your spring break with your family.