Investigations
Systems: a group of interacting parts working together to create a complex whole. Our guiding question this week is, “How is our classroom like a system?” Not only will we examine drills, scales, and pillowcases, we will also finalize our classroom expectations and pin down a list of classroom jobs. We are cultivating the practice of asking, “How does it work?” and “What makes it work well?”
Math
Place Value: the numerical value that a digit has by virtue of its position in a number. We will read and write numbers in a variety of forms. For example the number 42 can be written, forty-two or 40 + 2. This week we will use card games to build numbers and compare numbers while also increasing our familiarity with the suits and names of the different cards.
Reading
I am a Reader: Last week we asked the question, “What do master readers do?” Next week our guiding question is, “How do master readers choose books?’ We will consider the role of recommendations, personal interest, comprehension, and genre. Our goal is to choose books that are just right for us – books we can curl up with and enjoy!
Homework
Monday
Bar Graphs: Every morning the Magical Minds and I create a “Graph of the Day.” We have graphed our favorite colors, genres, holidays and more. This week we continue to build bar graphs to illustrate and compare numbers.
· Graph how many letters are in each person’s name in your house.
· Challenge: Choose your own topic to graph.
Tuesday
Playing Cards: Set aside time to play at least one round of one of the games listed below. When I was a kid, we played cards after clearing the dinner table. The floor is another good place to play cards (especially Pyramid 13).
· Gin
· Pyramid 13
· Match Up
Wednesday
Reading Party: Carve out a moment when everyone can grab a book and settle down for at least 20 minutes of reading. Brew some tea, play some soft music, turn off the phone, and just read. Read together, read on your own, talk about your books and laugh together.
· Question of the Week: How is this a Just Right Book for you?
(Note: this is not just a question for children. Share your own thoughts. What kind of books do you like to read? Is your book challenging, or a yummy-eat-‘em-up book?)
Thursday
Investigating Systems:
Look for systems in your own life. Document the systems you find.
You can…
o Make a list with paper and pen
o Draw pictures
o Take pictures
o Make a video
Current Events Schedule
Monday - Joaquin
Tuesday - Kokwe
Wednesday - Porfirio
Thursday - Sophie
Friday - Tasso
Announcements
Last week we took a moment to reflect on our goals for the year. The Magical Minds and I illustrated our hopes and dreams on kites, which now decorate our classroom door. I invite you to stop by and see what a remarkable group of learners we have.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to complete the “My Child as a Learner” survey. Please let me know if you are having difficulties finding it.
Keep watching the classroom website: themagicalminds.weebly.com. Take a look at the “Kagunda” page, where our classroom mascot writes morning messages to the Magical Minds, or click on the “Our Class” page to see the first portraits of the year.
Systems: a group of interacting parts working together to create a complex whole. Our guiding question this week is, “How is our classroom like a system?” Not only will we examine drills, scales, and pillowcases, we will also finalize our classroom expectations and pin down a list of classroom jobs. We are cultivating the practice of asking, “How does it work?” and “What makes it work well?”
Math
Place Value: the numerical value that a digit has by virtue of its position in a number. We will read and write numbers in a variety of forms. For example the number 42 can be written, forty-two or 40 + 2. This week we will use card games to build numbers and compare numbers while also increasing our familiarity with the suits and names of the different cards.
Reading
I am a Reader: Last week we asked the question, “What do master readers do?” Next week our guiding question is, “How do master readers choose books?’ We will consider the role of recommendations, personal interest, comprehension, and genre. Our goal is to choose books that are just right for us – books we can curl up with and enjoy!
Homework
Monday
Bar Graphs: Every morning the Magical Minds and I create a “Graph of the Day.” We have graphed our favorite colors, genres, holidays and more. This week we continue to build bar graphs to illustrate and compare numbers.
· Graph how many letters are in each person’s name in your house.
· Challenge: Choose your own topic to graph.
Tuesday
Playing Cards: Set aside time to play at least one round of one of the games listed below. When I was a kid, we played cards after clearing the dinner table. The floor is another good place to play cards (especially Pyramid 13).
· Gin
· Pyramid 13
· Match Up
Wednesday
Reading Party: Carve out a moment when everyone can grab a book and settle down for at least 20 minutes of reading. Brew some tea, play some soft music, turn off the phone, and just read. Read together, read on your own, talk about your books and laugh together.
· Question of the Week: How is this a Just Right Book for you?
(Note: this is not just a question for children. Share your own thoughts. What kind of books do you like to read? Is your book challenging, or a yummy-eat-‘em-up book?)
Thursday
Investigating Systems:
Look for systems in your own life. Document the systems you find.
You can…
o Make a list with paper and pen
o Draw pictures
o Take pictures
o Make a video
Current Events Schedule
Monday - Joaquin
Tuesday - Kokwe
Wednesday - Porfirio
Thursday - Sophie
Friday - Tasso
Announcements
Last week we took a moment to reflect on our goals for the year. The Magical Minds and I illustrated our hopes and dreams on kites, which now decorate our classroom door. I invite you to stop by and see what a remarkable group of learners we have.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to complete the “My Child as a Learner” survey. Please let me know if you are having difficulties finding it.
Keep watching the classroom website: themagicalminds.weebly.com. Take a look at the “Kagunda” page, where our classroom mascot writes morning messages to the Magical Minds, or click on the “Our Class” page to see the first portraits of the year.