In Fundations, we practiced tapping out CVC words. We also found our current and new Trick Words in sentences. The following are the Trick Words we have learned so far:
• and
• are
• the
• to
• a
• is
• his
A great way to practice these words at home is to write them on flashcards. You could hide the words around the house and have your child find them and read them to you :) Why not make learning a game, right?
In Math, we used a pan balance to compare the weights of objects. I made different-sized balls of play dough and compared them using various combinations. Then, I challenged the children to use the play dough to make the two sides of the pan balance level. The kiddos had to decide if they had to add play dough or remove bits of play dough. This was harder then it looked! Finally, the kiddos put pay dough on one side of the pan balance and an object on the other side, and then described which was heavier and lighter. Next, I asked them to level the pans by adding or removing bits of play dough.
The next day, we learned how to count on by 1s and count on by 10s using a calculator. Did you know that if you press ON/C and then 10+= and then continue pressing the equal sign the calculator will count by 10s for you? The children could not get enough of this awesome little trick. Take a look at the presentation I created below :)
![](http://www.weebly.com/weebly/images/file_icons/pdf.png)
count_and_skip_count_with_calculators_.pdf |
During Writer's Workshop, I explained that when you really love a topic, when it's something that's a big part of your life, or if it's something you really know a lot about, you can write lots of how-to books about it by thinking of that topic in many different ways. Example: Cooking ~ How To Make Cupcakes; How To Make Cookies; How To Make Smoothies; How To Make Pizza...
I showed the children my collection of how-to stories and asked them to tell me what they all had in common. The children shouted out "COOKING!" Then, I asked the kiddos to help me think of a new how-to story idea about cooking. They had GREAT ideas!
Finally, I explained that they can all do the very same thing! All they have to do is look through their writing folders and find a how-to book they really love. Then, they can think of another how- to book they can make that is the same topic! I was so proud when the kids were bursting with excitement to share their ideas for their next how-to book. Take a look at them go!!!!
- What is a seed? A seed is a baby plant enclosed in a protective outer covering.
- Where might you find seeds? (flowers, food).
- What do seeds do? They grow into a plant.
- How can you decide if an object is a seed or not a seed? Plant it and see if it will grow.
Then, we looked at different kinds of seeds and described them!
Best,
Diana Nork