Busy, BUSY Week

Last week was a busy, busy week for us.  We learned a lot of new things! 

First, we were able to explore our math materials during a special center time.  The students were able to explore our pattern blocks, geo boards, and base ten blocks.  There were no specific instructions for what to do at each center; I simply wanted to see what the children knew about the materials and what they would do with them on their own.  I was pleased with some of the awesome designs created on the geo boards and the symmetrical patterns made the with pattern blocks.  There were some pretty great structures built with the base ten blocks, too!

We also learned how to use our Rise and Shine Binders.  These are our daily morning work binders.  Every morning we have a simple math sheet, called a Math Minute, that is found inside of our Rise and Shine Binder.  Once we finish our Math Minute then we can work in our Rise and Shine Binder.  In our binders there are different number routines like ten frames, tallies, and +1 -1.  We also write the date out in words.  In the backs of our binders are matching games to help us quickly identify numbers 1-20 in the form of numerals, shapes, tallies, and base ten (1-100).  We love working independently (a new vocab word we learned, ask us what it means) every morning!

Finally, we did learn how to start taking Accelerated Reader tests on our classroom computers.  I am encouraging students to read stories at home with mom and dad to be sure they understand the story before taking a test.  The kids are SO excited to start taking tests, but I do not want them taking tests on books that they do not fully understand.  They are only able to take a test one time, so we have to make it count!  Since the school library has closed because of MAP testing, our classroom library is open for business and the class learned how to look for books in our room and how to put everything back where it belongs.  We are not taking home any books quite yet, unless specific permission is given, but once the routine of the classroom library is under control everyone will be able to bring a book home if they want to read with mom and dad. 

Phew!  What a week.  And we're already almost half way through another!  Where is time going...???