First Day of School

The first day of pre-first was full of learning, read-alouds, making new friends, and FUN!  We started the day with an all school Opening Convocation where your daughters (a.k.a the Class of 2030) got a nice shout out from the seniors as they begin their journey through Bryn Mawr. Later, we read First Day Jitters, which is a cute story about a girl who is extremely nervous about her first day at a new school.  Please make sure you ask your daughters who the new girl was in the story.  Later, your daughters made sunglasses depicting what they did on their summer vacations and we also had our first Music, Spanish and P.E. classes of the year.  It was a fun-filled and active day as I saw quite a bit of yawns by 2:45.  I love having your girls in my room and I am so excited to see what this year will bring!

Finishing Up Measurement and Tasting the Rain Forest

In our latest rain forest lesson, the girls learned about the different foods that the rain forests provide.  We watched a short video on how chocolate was made many years ago by the indigenous tribes.  After the video, the girls participated in a taste test of different spices that come from the rain forest.  The following spices were used:  Allspice, Cocoa, Black Pepper, Cinnamon, and Vanilla.  Only one spice really threw your daughters....make sure you ask her which one!

We completed our measurement unit last week and one of those days we focused on measuring weight, rather than length.  We talked a lot about heavy verses light and gave a bunch of examples of things that fit into each category.  The girls were introduced to a balance scale and had to estimate which groups of manipulatives would be heavier (example 3 dice vs. 4 unifix cubes).  After we estimated, the girls were broken into groups of 2 or 3 where they actually measured the manipulatives using their balance scales.  There was even a challenge where they had to find a perfect balance between bears and cubes.

One of our final measurement lessons was on capacity.  We discussed how capacity is the measurement of what something can hold.  The girls were shown a bucket and had to estimate how many times it would take to be filled with the different containers: a yogurt cup, measuring cup, water glass and coffee mug.  After they estimated, they were put into groups of two and used water to complete the actual measurement.  The girls discovered while filling the bucket with water, it took many more times to fill it with a smaller container than a larger one.

We began fractions last week and started with halves.  This week we will move onto larger fractions.

We had another mystery reader today...only one more left!

Measuring and Engineering

A big happening in our classroom is the start of our new engineering unit. We started this unit by gathering ideas about engineers and technology (they believed that anything considered "technology" had to be plugged in, amazing).  The girls were shown white out and were told that it was technology--by working together, they discovered that anything that was created to solve a problem was "technology".  The girls were then divided into small groups and given a mystery bag.  Inside each bag was an item that they usually would not consider to be "technology".  As a group, the girls had to answer several questions, including, "What does your object do, what problem does it solve, and what material is it made of?"  The group then reported back to the whole class on what they discovered about their object.  Make sure you ask your daughter what technology she found in her bag!

We also began our measurement unit yesterday.  We discussed that not all rulers are made the same--emphasizing that the girls must always measure from the "0" mark (whether it is shown or implied by the end of the ruler).

Colorful Daisies

Where does water go in a plant?  That was the question posed to our Pre-First scientists today.   The girls were given white daisies and got to choose from red, yellow, green or blue colored water to put in their vase.  They predicted what their daisy would look like in one day and sketched it out.  We will observe our daisies tomorrow and record what we see....what do you predict they will look like?

The girls also completed another page in their plant journals.  They have been observing and recording their growth since they first planted their seeds.

Buddy TAG and Roots

The next step in our writing process is something we call Buddy TAG (a peer editing step).  Ask your daughters how Buddy TAG works!  I was impressed with how the girls were able to give and receive constructive criticism and edit their stories after suggestions from their peers.

In science, we finished up our experiment on different roots.  The girls went outside and had to pull up grass from the ground to compare the roots to those of the beet, scallion, and carrot.  The girls had a great time learning why roots are all different.

For the past two days, the girls have enjoyed viewing and learning some of the traditions of Bryn Mawr, including Gym Drill and Maypole.  Hopefully the weather will hold out for Saturday so the girls can enjoy the real deal!

Chunking and the Writing Process

Yesterday, the girls learned about breaking words into chunks (aka syllables). I taught them three different ways to break apart a word: clap it out, robot speak, and holding their hand under their chin.  Ask your daughter which way was her favorite.  As we broke apart all of our names into syllables, most of the girls chose robot speak.  We finished our syllable activity by getting into partners and sorting spring words by chunks.

Today, I introduced the girls to the writing process and they were interested and excited to learn the different steps. Today's step was the planning step.  The girls had to plan out their next story by using a graphic organizer.  In our next Writer's Workshop, the girls will learn about peer editing.

Catching up with Pre-First

A big thanks to our latest mystery readers.  

We completed our mini-unit on tallying and comparing numbers using <, > and =.  Last week, the girls rotated through three centers which focused on these skills.

Counting and sequencing tally marks.

Using a deck of cards and Popsicle sticks to compare numbers.

Matching tally marks to their corresponding numbers.

Last week we read "The Paper Bag Princess" by our author of the month. After we read the story, the girls were paired up to sequence the events and worked together to glue the events in order on paper bags.

We also planted our seeds!  The girls got their hands a bit dirty as we put the soil into our pots, planted our seeds and watered them.  Be sure to ask your daughter what seeds we planted.

Finally, we celebrated Earth Day!  The girls showed their appreciation for the earth by writing their own promises about ways they can be mindful of the environment.  They brainstormed thoughtful ideas about recycling, planting gardens, and reducing waste.  They finger painted their own globes and adorned them with green glitter.