Punxsutawney Phil predicts an early spring!

Many of the children in our class will be excited to learn that Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow this year!  During math time on Friday, February 1, we made a groundhog pictograph to share our predictions on whether or not Punxsutawney Phil would see his shadow.  We then discussed the data and will revisit it on Monday.  Fortunately, my prediction was incorrect!  Let's hope Punxsutawney Phil's forecast is accurate.

In addition to collecting and analyzing data, last week in Math we:

•  Practiced ordering events.

• Practiced reading, writing, and finding 2-digit numbers.  Children used two number cards to create a 2-digit number.  They read the number to their buddy, then both children found and highlighted that number on their 100 number grid.  Children then swapped the placement of the cards to create a second 2-digit number.  This activity is shown below.

• Played a mystery block game.  All children were given 4-5 attribute blocks.  I would think of a mystery block and then name one attribute of the block at a time.  Children would stand if their block matched the attributes I listed and sit down when their block no longer fit with the attributes.  We did this until one child was left standing (example: Stand if you have a blue block...a blue thin block...a large blue think block...a large blue thin block with four sides...a large blue think block with four sides that is a square.).
• Identified mystery numbers based on clues I gave.  This game is similar to the game above except children had to write the mystery number on an individual whiteboard (example: The number I am thinking of is a 2-digit number.  It is bigger than 50.  It has a 3 in the ones' place.  It has 6 tens.).
• Created patterns using Popsicle sticks.  Children recorded their patterns in their math journal.  They were VERY excited to be using their math journals for the first time!

During Reading last week we:

• Practiced retelling The Mitten through a mitten sequencing project each child completed.  Most children brought these home on Friday.  I encourage you to have your child use this project to help him/her retell the story in sequence.

• Learned that readers can make their reading sound more fluent by scooping up more words at once.  
• Added "am" to the word wall.
• Played "word wall memory."

•  Learned that before sharing a book with a buddy, readers can summarize the big idea in the story so that their buddy has a preview of the book before reading.  The children then practiced this with their first grade reading buddies.

Last week in Writing the children practiced revising and editing.  Children chose one small moment story from their writing folder that they wanted to publish.  Each mini-lesson last week focused on revising or editing.  Children did the following:

• Read their story to a buddy and then added details to their story based on questions/feedback from their buddy.
• Checked to make sure all word wall words were spelled correctly.
• Checked to make sure that every sound in every word was represented by at least one letter.
• Created a title for their story.

 I am in the process of typing each child's story.  Children will illustrate their books this week.





Conferences begin this week.  I look forward to meeting with all of you to share your child's progress!