This week's 1st grade math class focused on reviewing addition and subtractions concepts within 10. The students also focused on 10 and some more concepts as well has using doubles facts to solve doubles plus one & minus one facts. They also played cat and mouse game that had them using quick addition facts to graph their answers and then compare their total with their partners. Next week they will take the end of Unit 3 assessment as well as the district required Stars Math Assessment.
This week's 2nd grade math students focused on the concept of equality and deciding if equations were balanced or not. Balancing equations, is a critical step in building strong mathematical thinking. The students are moving beyond simply finding an answer to the equal sign (3=3) and gaining an understanding that it means "is the same as" or "is equivalent to." . This focus on maintaining balance and solving for a missing number (e.g., 3+ 2 = ___+1) is their first, important step into algebraic thinking and is essential for success in future math concepts.
This week's science focus continued to ask the students to think about habitats with a specific focus on our school area. Today Luke brought in the photos from our game cameras and the students were amazed by what they saw. Luke also shared some photos from around the valley. So yea, the camera did pick up a bear but it was not in the woods by our school. Please don't believe any bear wrestling stories that may come from this!SECRET PALS: Over the years I have done several versions of Secret Pals in my classroom. This year, I am going to try a different approach. Eileen and I will be each kids secret pal (but it won't be a secret). Starting 12/19/25, the students will have three days of items from their Secret Pals. On the 1st day, each student will receive a card from Eileen and I. On 12/22, the students will receive a Secret Pal snack from us, and on 12/23 they will receive a little gift from us. I am very excited to do this and it will be a fun way to celebrate our "classroom team" and all they have done in the first 75 days of school.
December 23rd also marks Sloane's last day until the spring. We will have a little celebration for our Secret Pal event as well as saying goodbye for now to Sloane. If you would like to contribute anything to that celebration, please sign up here (food, drinks, cups, plates).
STUDENT OF THE WEEK: This week's Student of the Week is pictured here. This student is a 1st grader and has an older sister in 7th grade. He also lives with his mom and dad. His birthday is November 27, and his favorite color is blue. He LOVES cotton candy. He loves building with Legos and likes to share his creations during share time. He likes to visit the ocean and see fish.
READ-A-LOUDS: I continue to focus on books from our classroom library. Our classroom library is both leveled and divided up by authors and or topics/subjects/categories. This week I focused on award winning books. These were all fabulous reads and the students really seemed to enjoy them. Here are the books from this week.
Monday: The Stray Dog
Tuesday: King Bidgood's in the Bathtub
Wednesday: Olivia
Thursday: What Do You Do With an Idea?
Friday: What Do With A Tail Like This?
NOTES:*We are wrapping up a lot of academic work as we near report card time. This is a time to stop and measure growth from the start of the year. I am really excited to see the results of everything.
*PE classes our Wednesdays and Thursdays. Kai continues to ask that kids have sneakers for her classes.
That is all for now. I hope you all have a great weekend. My youngest daughter comes home tonight for the semester break and my Varsity team has their 1st game. Needless to say I am excited for the weekend too.
Peace,
Mr. Young
