Room 20 News
March 29, 2020
Dear Families:
Here is a summary of some the things we did in early March!
Writing
We completed the Opinion Writing unit a few weeks ago. Students began by bringing in collections from home and writing about why certain pieces were their favorites, and making judgements on which item was the “best” based on various criteria. Students then moved on in scope and wrote opinion pieces on places, activities, movies, and t.v. shows. Students learned to express their opinions clearly and to back up their opinion with more than one reason, and to develop their idea in a convincing manner. We ended the unit by writing book reviews of favorite books.
Reading Workshop:
This month, students focused on non-fiction books. During the unit students engaged in many different informational texts. They learned that nonfiction passages are organized differently than fiction texts and need different skill sets in order to understand them. They learned about text features of nonfiction texts, and used context to figure out more challenging vocabulary words. They learn edto flag interesting parts of books and talk to peers about the things they learned. Students continued to practice reading smoothly as well as continued to make predictions of upcoming information, skills practiced throughout the year.
Math:
Students continued to develop their flexibility with number and their understanding of number relationships using a number line and number grid. They continued to develop their fluency with number relationships. Students learned about place value and the relationship symbols greater than, and less than. Students also explored the inverse relationship between addition and subtraction. They developed their fluency with numbers to 10 and flexibility with numbers to 20.
Students practiced the following skills during Math Rotations and small group instruction:
Recently, we began the science unit ,Balls and Ramps. Students learned to identify, as well as compare and contrast the properties of various balls. Students collected data on the bounciness of balls and recorded their observations. They then used this data to think about how the properties of balls affected the quality of bounciness and smooth rolling. Students learned about the importance of forces, and that movement can only be achieved when a force is exerted on an object. They learned about gravity and friction as other forms of force.
Dear Families:
Here is a summary of some the things we did in early March!
Writing
We completed the Opinion Writing unit a few weeks ago. Students began by bringing in collections from home and writing about why certain pieces were their favorites, and making judgements on which item was the “best” based on various criteria. Students then moved on in scope and wrote opinion pieces on places, activities, movies, and t.v. shows. Students learned to express their opinions clearly and to back up their opinion with more than one reason, and to develop their idea in a convincing manner. We ended the unit by writing book reviews of favorite books.
Reading Workshop:
This month, students focused on non-fiction books. During the unit students engaged in many different informational texts. They learned that nonfiction passages are organized differently than fiction texts and need different skill sets in order to understand them. They learned about text features of nonfiction texts, and used context to figure out more challenging vocabulary words. They learn edto flag interesting parts of books and talk to peers about the things they learned. Students continued to practice reading smoothly as well as continued to make predictions of upcoming information, skills practiced throughout the year.
Math:
Students continued to develop their flexibility with number and their understanding of number relationships using a number line and number grid. They continued to develop their fluency with number relationships. Students learned about place value and the relationship symbols greater than, and less than. Students also explored the inverse relationship between addition and subtraction. They developed their fluency with numbers to 10 and flexibility with numbers to 20.
Students practiced the following skills during Math Rotations and small group instruction:
- Modeled how a number is composed of tens and ones using base ten blocks and ten frames.
- Represented the relationship between quantities by modeling on a number balance.
- Added and subtracted within 10 using strategies such as turn around facts, make 10 strategies, and doubles.
- Used basic facts to help find sums and differences within 20. (example: I know 2+7 = 9 so I can use that to solve 12 + 7.)
- Solved addition and subtraction equations and explained the strategies used.
- Explained how addition and subtraction are related.
- Practiced telling time to the half-hour on a digital and analog clock.
- Attend to precision while reading, writing and comparing numbers to 120.
- Used tools to model how a number is composed of tens and ones.
- Modeled the relationship between quantities on a number balance.
- I cse tools to show what the equal sign means.
- I can add and subtract within 10 using strategies
Recently, we began the science unit ,Balls and Ramps. Students learned to identify, as well as compare and contrast the properties of various balls. Students collected data on the bounciness of balls and recorded their observations. They then used this data to think about how the properties of balls affected the quality of bounciness and smooth rolling. Students learned about the importance of forces, and that movement can only be achieved when a force is exerted on an object. They learned about gravity and friction as other forms of force.