Book Truck, Classroom Pumpkin, Ten-Frames, Clean Clear Water Discussions

Reminders:

I have only heard back from one parent that is available to volunteer for two of the Artist in Residence Sessions. We need 2 per session as per my previous blog. Please email me if you are able to volunteer on any of these days:


Monday October 23rd from 10:45-11:45
Thursday October 26th from 10:45-11:45: 
Wednesday November 1st from 10:45-11:45
Tuesday November 7th from 10:45-11:45  



Book Truck Visit

Yesterday we had our first visit from the Calgary Public Library Book Truck. It was so much fun to climb into the book truck and pick out two new books to take home. When you are done with the books you can bring them back to the school to return or simply drop them off at any Calgary Public Library. We will have our next book truck visit in November. If you did not get to take out a book because of not having a library card number please fill out the new form that will be coming home and you will be able to participate next time. 

Charlotte's Web:

Today we read Chapter 10:The Explosion

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Udxjrf8rPcI

We used to CAFE strategy of EXPANDING our vocabulary by making note of new, challenging and interesting vocabulary. When we don't understand a word we need to STOP and ask a friend, a teacher, use a dictionary (online or otherwise). Sometimes we can figure out what the word means by reading to the end of the sentence and thinking "what word would make sense?". 

New Vocabulary Words from Charlotte's Web:

Literacy

We continued to use the CAFE strategy of EXPAND VOCABULARY while in our reading groups. We were challenged to write down 3 words that we did not understand or know the meaning of. We then used our group members, the sentence the word was in and in some cases a dictionary to figure out what the word meant. We will be practicing this and accumulating new and interesting words during literacy and writing times. 

Today we also practised using the Accuracy strategy called Chunking. This is where we try to find little words in big words. If we are trying to sound out a word and it seems long or tricky, we try to find smaller words inside of it and break it into smaller parts as a way to eventually put the whole word together and sound it out successfully. You can practice this strategy at home when you do your home reading.

Pumpkin Time

We are so excited to be designing our SOBEYS competition pumpkin. Ask me what we are making. Our pumpkin will be on display at Sobeys starting Friday October 20th. You can go and see it there. We were all responsible for creating some part of the finished product! Ask me which part I worked on. 

Ten Frames Continued

Today we continued using ten-frames to create double digit numbers. We looked at how seeing 5's and 10's can help us be more efficient when we are counting big numbers. We solved some ten frame riddles:

We were challenged to build the numbers, write the numbers as well as the math equation that would go with each riddle. 

Tomorrow we will be doing some organizing again with materials. We will be using the things we have learned about ten frames, packets of ten and loose/leftovers to help us count a total more efficiently and accurately. 


Here is a website to make numbers using ten frames. 

http://illuminations.nctm.org/activity.aspx?id=3565

We will get a chance, tomorrow to figure out our TOTALS again for Masloppy. We will be encouraged to use packs of ten and loose in order to figure out our totals. We will continue to double check for accuracy and to decide if counting by tens this time was more efficient or less then when we counted by 2's or 5's or 1 by 1. 

 Yesterday and today we used a chart to make note of:

Item, Total, How many packs of 10, and how many loose. We used ten frames to help us organize. We were trying to figure out how many highlighters we had in our classroom? Ask me what we figured out?

Today we read the book The Water Princess by Susan Verde. 

It is all about a little African girl (GieGie) and he travels everyday to get clean water.

She wishes that she did not have to travel so far in the hot sun everyday but has no choice if she wants/needs water. 

The story ends with her dreaming and wishing about SOMEDAY.....a day when Everyone in the whole world will have access to clean water...

We then had to IMAGINE our lives without water. What do we need and use water for? What if we couldn't anymore?

Georgie Badiel is an African Model, who as a young girl had to walk miles and miles to fill drinking pots with water. Every morning she would have to wake up and do it all over again. This inspired her to work to make a difference and get clean water to those in need. This story "Princes Gie Gie" is her story. She is now a model and uses her fame to try to make a difference. 

For more information please visit:

www.ryanswell.ca

and

georgiebadielfoundation.org