Oh my goodness! It's been a month since I last wrote anything!
That should tell you how busy my students have been learning! (And I don't have to tell you, dear reader, how the amount of their learning directly correlates to the amount of my planning and teaching.)
Open House was a huge success! Nine parents showed up, which meant 9 students earned Brag Tags just for their parents attendance. They were so cute about it. One student remarked that she liked getting a Brag Tag for "begging" her mom to attend Open House. Whatever works, right? ;-)
Here's an update on what we have been learning in class...
Math
We continue to work on P.E.M.D.A.S.... or Order of Operations.... you remember that right? Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally.... which means... Parenthesis, Exponents, Multiplication and/or Division, Addition and/ or Subtraction. It's been a struggle because many of my students struggle with simple multiplication and division. However, they will survive and grow stronger math brains. I created a PEMDAS scoot game that students have been playing, and loving! It is such a great feeling when students have a good time learning/ relearning a skill!
I have also been teaching students what seems like 1,000 different ways to divide. Hopefully, one way will stick. Practice, practice, practice!
Social Studies
As difficult as it was to discuss September 11th (2001) with my class, they did learn a lot. I showed a PowerPoint with September 11th facts. It had photos of what the Twin Towers looked like before that horrific day, and then of the planes hitting the Towers and smoke billowing out of the windows. One of my new teacher friends sent me a great craft where students drew themselves and wrote about how they can change the world. Of course we had a discussion first of what things they can do as 10 and 11 year olds to make the world a better place... wow! These students of mine! I love what they came up with! Ideas like: making sure everyone is included at recess so no one feels left out, talking to everyone at the table so no one feels sad, making new friends every year no matter a person's skin color, religion, disability, or whether they are a boy or a girl...
But one student comment really created a lively discussion... How come the terrorists have hate in their heart? Out of the mouths of babes... one student thought that maybe when the terrorists were their age no one was nice to them, another thought that they were bullied.... I let them discuss this without input from me for a few minutes.... and then had students work on the craft/ writing activity. They came out better that I had expected!
Science
We have been learning about weather and climate. Using a lot of videos, journaling, reading the text book, classroom discussion ... I really do love journals in the classroom!
Reading & Writing
I have been teaching one skill per week in Reading, and then testing students on that specific skill/ standard at the end of the week. In other words, one week I taught finding the Main Idea and supporting details. The next week was Cause and Effect, and the week after was Problem and Solution. I have a journal activity each week as well as a test at the end of the week. Journaling allow students to work together, to learn from one another as they apply the concept to an activity. Testing, obviously, is completed independently or within a small group- often I find that I need to read the content to my students who are significantly below grade level. This way they are still able to demonstrate mastery of the standard, but are given a little support.
I hope you are having a successful year so far. Try to relax a little... go to the spa, bubble bath, hang out with friends and family. Best wishes to you all this year!
Happy Learning!
Happy Teaching!
~Sandra @The Happy Learning Den
