Last week we finished our science unit on structure and function with a final challenge, to design a  paintbrush.  We started by brainstorming different things we might like a paintbrush to do from painting skinny lines to bubble circles and even magically painting an object lots of different colors at once.  (I think some student ideas were inspired by the book "Artdog").  Next, children were invited to draw a paintbrush design.  They then had an opportunity to choose from a variety of materials and build their own paint brushes.  When they were complete, everyone had a chance to share their paintbrushes  and talk about challenges they faced in making them.  We also noticed similarities and differences among all the different designs.  Some children had fun testing the brushes and comparing the ways different models painted.

An important part of our math curriculum is Number Corner, 15-20 minutes used to introduce, reinforce, and extend math skills and concepts.  Number Corner is centered on the calendar and includes the same five routines each month, with slight variations depending on the month and the specific skills we are working on.

Over the course of any given month we place new markers on our calendar each day and make observations and predictions about the patterns that emerge; record the number of days we have been in school by writing the number on a continuous number line and visually representing it with links and dots on ten frames; create a monthly collection of objects (cubes, sticks, pattern blocks) that we use for counting and comparing; practice the counting sequence and number recognition skills using a segment of the number line; and work on computations fluency, often using finger patterns or ten frames.

In November the calendar pattern involves 2-D shapes and 3-D shapes.  Each  2-D shape has a white background, while the 3-D shapes have a green background.  The 2-D shapes are followed by a closely related 3-D shape, for example a square is followed by a cube and a circle is followed by a sphere.  This is giving us lots of opportunity to discuss the difference between two- and three- dimensional shapes and practicing using their correct names, as well as predicting what 3-D shapes can arise from a given 2-D shape.  We all predicted a "box" would follow the rectangle, but it was a cylinder, which gave us a chance to contemplate how a rectangle can turn into a cylinder.  We used a piece of paper to model this process.  The pattern alternates between colored shapes and real life objects that represent each shape, giving us a chance to think of examples of each shape in the world.

Our collection this month is craft sticks.  Each day a child spins a spinner with the numbers 3-5 on it and we add that many craft sticks to our weekly collection.  On Friday we count the total number of craft sticks.  Then we lay them end to end and cut a piece of string to match the total length.  We have been comparing the totals from week to week and making math statements about them.  For example 14 is less than 21, or 15 is one more than 14.

So far we have completed 57 days of school, which is shown as 5 tens and 7 more using both ten frames and links.  We use the number line from 1-20 to practice identifying numbers that come just before and just after a given number.

Last week we completed our second building challenge for our Structure and Function science unit.  We began by reading a version of "The Three Little Pigs" and talking about the structure and function of each of their houses.  Students were then challenged to build a house strong enough to withstand the winds of the Big Bad Wolf.  For this challenge students worked in pairs and they did not get to choose their materials, but were instead given a paper bag that had either toothpicks (straw), craft sticks (sticks), or mini foam bricks (bricks).  Each pair was also given a piece of card stock for a base and modeling clay to hold materials together.  When we were finished we tested each of the houses against the Big Bad Wolf (ask your child what this was), and talked about what led to success for each group.  Some ideas students mentioned included having a good base, going with the flow about the materials the group was given (most students were hoping for bricks), using plenty of clay to hold materials together, not giving up, and perhaps most importantly, working together.

After the cold temperatures of Wednesday and Thursday, Friday felt rather balmy.  With the relative warmth the snow became just sticky enough for perfect snowballs.  We had lots of fun rolling snowballs of all sizes and making a giant snowman in the lower field.  Thank you for sending your children prepared to go outside no matter the weather.  We will go out twice a day in all but the worst  conditions and proper clothing makes a huge difference!

Last week during ECO we had a great time making forest potions.  We began by reading the book "Stone Soup" by Jon Muth, which led to a discussion about recipes, the ingredients used, ways to indicate a specific amount, and directions for combining them.  Children were then invited to create their own potions.  Carrie brought some blank recipe cards so each child's potion could be recorded and named.  Lots of creative recipes were created!

Double Mix Potion

9 ferns

2 leaves

birch bark

1 lichen covered stick

pine cones

water

mix and stir for 9 hours

Forest Soup

6 broken pine cones

7 broken leaves and 1 whole leaf

2 little hemlock cones

3 tiny ferns

water

mix for 16 minutes

Mouse Tail Soup

birch bark

4 leaves

1 stick

lots of ferns

 a couple of mouse tails (ask your child what these are)

pine needles

dirt water