In math this week we ended the unit on multiplication and division by relating the two concepts. For example the "fact family", numbers 12, 3, 4, are related by multiplication ( 3x4=12 and 4x3=12) and division (12 divided by 3 = 4 and 12 divided by 4 = 3). The class started applying what they know about division to the understanding of the concept of fractions. Fractions are equal pieces of a whole or equal groups of a set of objects. We use ordinal numbers to describe fractions (for example thirds, eighths) and the children were introduced to the standard written format for fractions (for example, 1/4 or one fourth or one quarter).
On Friday, the students had the final assessment of the Touch Math strategy for our research project with Ms. Gray. All the the students improved both their speed and accuracy of solving two- and three-digit addition and subtraction questions. The students will analyze their personal performances next week.
To wind up our Sock Monkey unit, each child read a sock monkey book written by another student in our class and wrote the student author a letter. In the letter, the reader wrote about his/her favourite part of the book (and why), suggestions for making the book even better (and why) and wrote a question about the story for the author to answer. The student author then wrote a reply to the question and stapled the letter to the back cover of the book.
The class started to talk about fairy tales. We listed the titles of the fairy tales that we know and it was a very long list! We also listed the things that fairy tales have in common that make them different from other fiction stories. Aside from the classic beginning "Once upon a time.." and ending "...and they all lived happily ever after", the children noted that often animals act like humans, there are fictional evil characters (e.g., trolls) and good characters (e.g., fairy godmothers) and things happen in groups of three. Each student began to plan and write their own version of a fairy tale.
We began a new social studies unit, "Heritage and Identity: Communities in Canada 1780-1850" by discussing what it was like for humans to live over 200 years ago. (We are also linking this with our science unit on plants and soil.) There were none of the electric/electronic based machines we have now, nor were there any modern communication or transportation machines. If people needed something, they either had to grow it or make it themselves. One thing people had to do was to make their own clothing. The children started a project using wool from New Brunswick. They dyed the wool from a natural off-white colour using Kook-aid drink mix (for ease and safety). Then each student made a loom from cardboard cut from a recycled cardboard box. Each child wound the vertical "warp" threads around the loom and learned how to weave over and under the threads (a classic AB repeat pattern) making the "weft" to create cloth. These looms will make a small piece of fabric suitable for a bookmark, when completed.
In science, the students transplanted their bean plants to larger containers to give the plants more room to grow. The children also took these plants home this week. The class then focused on seeds, the plant cycle and how seeds from various plants are the same and how they are different. The children looked at tomato seeds and strawberry seeds and compared them to the navy bean seeds they planted. The size, colour, shape and where they are found, are all so different! The students also did an experiment using one of the leaves from our classroom amaryllis plant. After looking are the cut edges of the leaf, each student squished the leaf under tissue with a rolling pin to crush the plant cells and release the green chlorophyll. The class learned chlorophyll is essential for the plant to use light to create food. The students read about photosynthesis and how plants take in carbon dioxide and water, combine these with the sun's energy to make its food and release oxygen into the air. We discussed that humans and animals need plants and trees for food and for the oxygen that they need to breathe. (Less important is the fact that humans like the beauty of plants and trees and use them to decorate the inside and outside of their homes.)
The whole school celebrated Earth Day on Friday. The class went to an assembly in the gym and learned some startling facts about human consumption. Did you know that 27,000 trees are cut down each day just to make toilet paper? In class, the children learned about the environmental artist, Andy Goldsworthy (who creates art outside using only natural materials that he finds). On Friday afternoon, the students went outside to creat their own nature art, inspired by Andy Goldsworthy. Photos of this art can be found in a separate posting.
The children also learned about the sport of "Speed Stacking" this week. The class watched a video and began to practice using official Speed Stacking cups. This activity helps children improve their eye/hand coordination.
We had our last Room 204 Interview Show for this school year. This week our guest was Ms. Gray. She is a teacher at our school. This video may be seen in a separate posting.
Books read aloud this week:
Pippi Longstocking (chapter book) by Astrid Lindgren
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