Pumpkin Exploration

We had a great time this past week exploring a large pumpkin. The students predicted what they thought the inside of a pumpkin would look like. Next, we cut one open. The students loved looking, feeling, and smelling the pumpkin. They even predicted how many seeds would be in their slice. Then they counted how many were actually there.

Farm Field Trip

WOW! What a fantastic field trip. We began the day with an hour long bus ride. It was all worth it though when we got there. We learned how cows are a part of our every day life. We rode pony's and went on a hayride. We got to feed goats and cows. Boy do they have long tongues!!! We also ate lunch. After lunch we spent time in the bounce house. We also saw Grandma Ellis ride this barrel roll that went upside down. Our last stop was a nature trail. On the long bus ride back to school almost everyone fell asleep. This day will be one we remember for a long time.

Game of Compare

Today during Math Workshop, the students learned to play a new game called Compare. It is played just like the card game "War". Our decks of cards only have the numbers 0-10. We encourage you to play this game at home often. Deal the cards so that each member playing has the same number of cards. Hold the cards in a stack with the numbers facing down so you can't see the numbers. Each player will flip over one card. Each player states their number out loud. The child will decide which number is more. The player with the highest number takes the cards and puts them in a seperate pile. This game allows the students to compare numbers and determine which is more or less. If the game is overly easy have your child add 2 cards together before they determine which is more.

Growing Pumpkins

Today we planted some pumpkin seeds that will grow in our classroom. Emily's family donated a kit for growing minature pumpkins. We observed the seeds before planting them in the soil. Then we watered the seeds. Once they start to sprout we will transfer them into a cute pumpkin shaped ceramic pot. We can't wait to see the vines, flowers and hopefully the pumpkins.

Open House

Open House from Michelle Ellis on Vimeo.

Pumpkin Unit

In Science, we have begun a new unit on Pumpkins. Every day we are learning a new fact about pumpkins. Today we learned that the average size of a pumpkin is 12 pounds. However, some pumpkins can be 1,000 pounds. We loved this picture of a huge pumpkin.

Tomorrow we will learn that pumpkins come in many different colors.

Math Game - Grab and Count

This past Friday, we learned a new math game called Grab and Count. The students were given a variety of objects to grab a handful of, then count how many they had in their hand. Before we played the game we discussed what a "good grab" would look like. Our class decided that a "good grab" would be with one hand and the objects would fit into their hand without falling out. After grabbing, the students then counted the objects. The students found it interesting to see that grabbing a handful of bears was different than a handful of pattern blocks. They discovered that the smaller the object the higher the number of items that would fit in their hand. We would like for you to play this game with your child at home. Find different objects that are different sizes and discover together the number they could grab. You could grab legos, blocks, pennies, beans, etc. Have your child begin to use a plan when counting the objects. They need to organize them to help them count the quantities.