Math –
Ms. Andrea’s math group became number comparison experts this week! We sorted numbers from least to greatest, greatest to least, and learned a game called Dare To Compare in which the players compare their numbers and sometimes the bigger number wins, but sometimes the smaller number wins.
We practiced finding differences in number sequences, determining patterns and continuing them. This multistep process can be tricky, particularly when dealing with numbers in the thousands or when progressing the pattern necessitates a crossover in place value. These Beta 1s showed tenacity and rocked it.
We also sorted, ordered, and compared numbers in the hundreds and thousands using place value. The Beta 1s learned a game called Spin Off – we spun for our hundreds place, tens, and ones places and compared our final figure with that of our partner so see who won the match.
And we worked on lots of place value story problems! These kiddos put forth so much effort this week! Very proud of them.
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Ms. Kelly’s math group began a new unit in addition and subtraction this week, focusing on different strategies that might help us when tackling a tough problem. Our first strategy- adding three digit numbers together using e-x-p-a-n-d-e-d form! Our second strategy utilized a number line when adding bigger numbers, making giant leaps for hundreds, mediums leaps for 10s and itty bitty jumps for the ones place. This one was not a crowd favorite (we decided it may be a bit time consuming) but it is interesting trying each strategy out! Towards the end of the week the crew were happy to hear we were going to practice the standard algorithm for addition. We decided, unanimously, that the standard algorithm is much faster and there were fewer chances of making a mistake (unlike the number line technique in particular.). Any extra time after our independent practice was used in our addition and subtraction challenge. The goal- use the digits 0-9 once throughout the four equations. These guys talked through their thinking with a partner, tried and tried, again and again, different combinations until each equation made sense. Total math rockstars! These are not easy!!!
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Reading –
Ms. Kelly’s reading group focused on the Floss Rule this week. The floss rule is a spelling rule that states that the final letter of a one-syllable word should be doubled if it is an f, l, s, or z, and there is a short vowel before it. We created words with the rule using our letter tiles, completed word sorts and read stories with many words that fit the rule. We also read various short texts and found the main idea along with a couple of supporting details and highlighted all the facts and opinions. It is important for learners to be able to recognize differences between facts and opinions so they know what to believe and what to consider as someone’s perspective. Separating fact from opinion is central to interpreting information intelligently. All these skills we practice are a warm up for Book Club second quarter!
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Ms. Andrea’s reading group reviewed consonant blends (groups of consonants that each make a sound, and blend together smoothly when read). We brainstormed lots of words that contain blends at the beginning and end and practiced our new spelling list with partners. We mixed up our typical Wednesday task card activity for spelling by making it a multiple choice movement game. This way, we all worked through the consonant blend challenges together and they had a lot of fun with it.
For our sentence construction work this week we examined a new picture, determined the W’s (who, what, where) and included them in a complete sentence. Then we wrote 4 types of sentences about the picture: statement, question, command and exclamation.
Next we turned to our study on Author’s Purpose. We found that authors sometimes include facts in texts when the purpose is to persuade the reader. We recalled writing our opinion pieces last year during our study of Ancient Egypt – we included facts to back up our opinions and make them more persuasive.
We also continued practicing our prediction skills by reading a short passage and stopping to make predictions before, in the middle, and after reading.
On Thursday the Beta 2s took their consonant blend spelling check ins. We were pretty revved up with excited energy and had to cut the lesson short to get ready for Shipe Park so we harnessed our attention and directed it towards handwriting in cursive. We learned to write 4 new letters! v, b, n & m. Looking good, Betas!
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Writing –
This week we learned that there can be a fine line between not providing enough information and giving way too much! We practiced s-t-r-e-t-c-h-I-n-g sentences. Short and choppy sentences can be boring! We need to strengthen and stretch our sentences in our personal narratives to have a great piece of writing. Making sure we include the Who, What, When or Where, and Why fills the reader in on all of the important and meaningful tidbits. We practiced together before re-reading our narratives and filling in any missing gaps!
On the complete opposite end we also performed some surgery! It’s very easy for authors to get off track when they are writing, and to write about more than one topic in a particular piece. It would be time consuming to rewrite the entire piece, and we don’t want to throw away good writing, so one revision trick is to perform surgery. We practiced by reading a paragraph together and cut out the extra information in order to have a more organized and focused piece. Then we reread our personal narratives and did the same!
We continue working one on one with the teachers and final drafts will begin later next week!
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Theme –
We introduced squishy circuits this week! The Betas learned that Play-doh is conductive, thanks to salt. We built circuits using battery packs, LED bulbs and doh! We created series and parallel circuits, and challenged our Betas to find out how many LED bulbs they could light on each type of circuit using a battery pack. One pair was able to light 9 bulbs using a parallel circuit!
Later in the week we attempted to create index card flashlights! We used mini LED bulbs, button batteries and foil to form a circuit that wrapped around an index card. This project was very challenging and for some, even frustrating. None of the circuits worked perfectly, making it a practice in tenacity. In a world where we’re used to many things working without a hitch, it can be beneficial to experience something different, particularly for those who surprised themselves by getting it to work on their own with continued effort.
We brought back out the play-doh and modeling clay on Thursday to create unique squishy circuits. We designed them on paper first, and planned out our colors & light placements and then went for it! The Betas created a wide variety of such amazing things!
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