Measure Up

In math we are exploring concepts of measurement.  We are concentrating on length.  In first grade, our objective is to develop accurate measurement techniques.  For example, we must line up our starting points and we must be careful not to leave gaps or have overlaps between units.  We will also used a variety of nonstandard measurements to discover that different units of measure will result in different measurements.

We started exploring measurement by just comparing length.  We lined up objects in our desk and recorded the longer and shorter.  Then, we used the foot cut outs from last week's homework assignment to compare feet measurements.  We ordered our family's feet on our desk then we used cubes to find out which feet were the same length.  Also, we measured different lines around the classroom with our hands and feet. Our class measurement discussions were fantastic.  The students made great connections.  They all got really good at accurate and precise measuring.

Here are some great online games to use at home for practice measuring:

Measurement Games

1. Estimate and Measure

2. Fish Tales

3. How Big are You?

4. Length Strength

5. Can you Fill It?

Moon Mania

For about a month, or should I say one lunar cycle, we have been researching and learning about the moon.  We have learned so much!  We began our unit of study with a RAN (researching and analyzing nonfiction) chart.  On the chart, we wrote what we already thought we knew and what we were wondering about.  As we studied, we moved the post-it note facts around if we found text evidence confirming what we knew.  We also had a column for "we don't think this anymore" and "new information."  We added a ton of notes to the "new information" column.  One thing that the students really wondered about was the craters. We downloaded an app called Moon Globe.  Moon Globe allowed the students to get an up close and realistic look at the moon's surface.  Students learned that the craters had names.  They also discovered that the moon had white streaks called ejecta rays around some craters.  This made the students even more curious.

How were the craters made?  To answer this question we created a simulation experiment.  We covered the bottom of a plastic tub with flour then added a thin layer of coco to the top to represent the lunar soil that has been exposed to the sun.  We dropped different sized and shaped rocks into the tub and watched the impact.  Similarly in space, on a much larger scale, asteroids have battered the moon and created the craters on the moon's surface.  After the experiment, students did some excellent writing about what they noticed and learned from the experience.

We did another simulation of the sun reflecting it's light of the moon which results in the phases of the moon that we see.  We recorded our learning in our Launch Logs.  We also represented the phases using Oreo cookies and learned a fun song.  Yum!

 

Our experiments, the RAN chart, and our reading concluded with a ton of information.  The students did some writing and an art project the show what they found most interesting about our studies.  The projects show so much learning.  Check them out in the hallway!

 

Student Led Conferences

Student Led conferences were a huge success. The children were so proud of themselves. They loved sharing their learning with you. I thought they made excellent presenters. Thanks for your wonderful support. The feedback on the reflection sheets was very helpful. Thank you for being so incredibly positive. Most parents favored the math station. Many of you were impressed not only with the mastery of our current math objectives, but also the students' ability to effectively use our interactive projector. Yes, they are super stars!  One of my favorite stations to listen in on was the self evaluations.  The students were so honest with what they are doing well and the areas that they can use some more practice.  These powerful conferences were a great way to end third quarter and begin this last important quarter of first grade.

Math Questions

At student led conferences, a few parents had some terrific questions about math.  Several parents were curious about how the children are solving double digit addition.  First, please know before we began adding double digits we spent a lot of time on place value concepts and mental math.  In fact, the students have such great numbers sense that most students can add double digits in their heads.  It is quite phenomenal.  Below is a quick video tutorial explaining the methods we have discussed in class.  Give your child a double digit addition problem and have them explain their strategy to you. See what they can do!
 

Also at conferences, I had a few questions about new math apps.  I have five fabulous math apps to share.  These are all apps that we have used consistently over the last month so they cover current objectives.    
1. First, for fact fluency, we are using Quick Math.  One thing I love about Quick Math is that the students have to write the number on the ipad correctly.  It is not only important that the fact be answered correctly, but it is important that the number written is legibly.

 2.  We love Sushi Monster.  The children think it is fun and the Sushi Monster is hilarious.  I love the addition and mental math practice the students get while trying to feed the monster.

3.  Place Value Addition MAB works on double digit addition with and without regrouping.  Students can work at four different difficulty levels and use manipulatives to work out problems.  It begins with double digit addition but the problems go all the way into the thousands place.

4. Mystery Number works on developing number sense through fun games.  Students guess numbers on a hundreds chart and/or number line.  They are given clues like more and less or odd and even to discover the mystery number.

5.  Counting Money Bingo is our next app to be downloaded to our school ipads.  We will begin working with counting coins.  This app has children practicing counting coins while working to win a bingo game.

Remember, all the apps we use in class are linked to the button bar above.  If you click on the Math App tab you will be taken to a Symbaloo full of first grade math apps.  If you click on any of the icons, you will be taken to an itunes link where you can find out more about the app, including reviews and pricing info. 

Fairy Tales

We are loving reading and learning about fairy tales.  Every day at read aloud we have been discovering a new tale and having lively discussions about the literary elements.  First,  though the children have to discover the day's fairy tale.  We have a mystery box with an artifact from a particular tale.  The students have to ask questions about the object in the box to solve the riddle.  For instance, of the tale Cinderella, there was a glass slipper in the box.  The students asked questions like, "Can you wear it?" and "Is it breakable?"  In the mystery box we have found The Three Bear's bowl, Jack's magic beans, Rumpelstiltskin's golden thread, Cinderella's shoe, the Emperor's invisible suit, and Rapunzel's long hair.

 

In our fairy tale study, we have learned about the elements of a fairy tale.  For instance, in fairy tales there is usually magic and the numbers 3 or 7 are important.  We have also learned about the protagonist and and the antagonist.  After we read the story, we chart the different elements in the fairy tale.  The discussions have been so interesting.  We had a lengthy debate about Jack and the Beanstalk and whether or not Jack was really a "good" character.  Some students thought he shouldn't be the hero because he stole from the giant and became greedy.

 Through the discussions, the children are learning to share their opinions, justify their thoughts using text evidence, and respectfully agree and disagree with their classmates different points of view.  We  also, by making an fairy tale elements chart, have been able to compare and contrast the different fairy tales.  The children are enjoying the fairy tales so much, they have no idea how many language arts objectives they are learning. 

 

 

After reading several of the classic fairy tales, we began reading fractured fairy tales.  In the fractured fairy tales, the author takes a familiar tale and switches it up a bit.  For example, we read a books called Sleeping Ugly and The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig.  So fun!  They have been having so much fun in fact, they have been making up their own fairy tales during centers.  You can really see their great imaginations shining through.