Penguins in the Tundra

Nonfiction News!

Students have been working on nonfiction pieces in litereacy. Groups have been focusing on writing through a mask.This crafting technique is when the story is written through the eyes of the object or animal being explained. A good example of this is the book Mojave by Dianne Siebert. Kindergardeners have been collarborating to create a nonfiction Animal ABC book.

Math Update

Students have been enjoying working with college students on Tuesdays and Thursdays. On Mondays and Wednesdays, math groups have been working on everything from comparing numbers, addition/subtractions, and multiplication/division. A game that students enjoy is called Higher or Lower. This game is played when a person chooses a number and everyone else guesses the number. With each guess, the person who has chosen the number marks if the number is higher or lower.

Biomes

This week, students are learning about the earth biomes, or areas on the earth that meet animal's needs based on climate, plants, and environment. Students are learning about the following six main biomes: desert, forest (rainforest, diciduous, coniforous), freshwater (wetlands, rivers, lakes), grasslands, marine (ocean, coral reef), and tundra. Students are investigating why particular animals live in the various biomes.
To extend this learning at home, talk with your child about their favorite animals and try to figure out which biome they live in. We also encourage you to read books about animals and watch videos about animals, such as the Planet Earth series.

We need your help!

Families:
For our science activity next week, the students will be building biomes and learning about the plants and animals that thrive in those environments. If possible, please send us any kind of recycled materials that the students might be able to use for building materials. For example: Cardboard, plastic, paper, etc.

Math update

We have been working on some different math concepts over the last few weeks. Now each group is focused on numbers and mathematical operations. The younger students are exploring addition and subtraction with 1 and 2 digit numbers, as well as comparing numbers and amounts. The older students are working with decimals and fractions and how they can be manipulated. All students are working with their sense of numbers and amounts, with a focus on place value. A favorite game among our elementary students is called "Guess Digit Place". Ask your child how to play! Here are a few sites with place value games to check out:
http://www.gamequarium.com/placevalue.html
http://pbskids.org/cyberchase/games/numbersense/

Science-Our Study of Animals

Our study of animals continued this week with several exciting activities. Mrs. Howle taught the students all about the life cycles of animals like birds and caterpillars. The kids then made life cycle mobiles based on what they learned. Mrs. Clifton led an inquiry into the rats, asking questions and finding answers through research. Lastly, Ms. Parks took the students outside to observe animals in the wild. Here are some highlights:

Observing a squirrel in the tree

Life cycle mobiles

Alexis' project about rats

The students huddle around and observe a dead squirrel!

Will records an observation in his science notebook