Zones of Regulation and Feelings

Today we introduced our Zones of Regulation - this is a really great program that introduces students to self regulation (i.e. managing emotions). Our whole school uses this language so it shouldn't be new to students.
Today we simply started by talking about the different feelings we feel. We then used some watercolour paint to paint some Todd Parr inspired art. Todd Parr is the author of the The Feelings Book.
Throughout the year we will encourage students to identify their feelings, which zone they are currently in (green, blue, yellow, red) and how they can help self regulate to manage their emotions. It's important that children understand that all feelings are ok to feel, we just need to ensure we're dealing with certain feelings appropriately, depending on the situation.

Mrs. Spitzer's Garden

I can develop my muscle memory printing letters the same way every time. 

We have worked on "Downers" and "Rounders" families.  When practicing, we only print one family at a time.  (for example, we didn't practice lower case "e" with upper case "E", because they are formed in different ways.)

Kids are encouraged to verbalize their motor plan... "talk through the steps they will take". 

For the "Rounders", kids will say:
-Leave space for my letter
-Start near the top
-Go up, back and around...


I can compare objects and quantities.  

 Today we looked at three different balance activities.  We compared the mass  of different objects, we used blocks to measure the mass of objects and we used the Montessori balance which shows us how to balance equations.    Often kids think equals means....put the answer here.  A balance, helps kids understand that "equals" means both sides of the equation are equivalent.    ex.  1+3= 2+2

Today we learned a "Ten Frames" game called war.  You can also play this game with regular playing cards.  Children needed to say their number (no counting) and how they knew.
ie.  "I have 8, because 8 is two less than 10."
      "I have 6, because 6 is five and one more."

"I win because 8 is greater than 6."

Being able to verbalize your thinking is very important in math.


Today we read a fabulous book named Mrs. Spitzer's Garden.   It made us do a lot of thinking, as the author used a garden as a metaphor for the diversity of children in a classroom.  This book will help launch us on our big question of the year: "HOW DO WE GROW AND CHANGE".

So far, students brainstormed that:
-we will get bigger
-we may lose and grow new teeth (lost one today!)
-we might develop new hobbies
-make new friends
-learn new skills

After we read the book, the children worked on their "cut art" and patterning skills to create their own unique flower.  We hope to have OUR garden ready for parent for our Welcome Back Picnic.

Literacy Block

Today we had our first literacy block. Within our Grade 1/2 team, students will be moving classrooms every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. We have created reading groups based on students' ability levels. Students will work with the same teacher for the next several weeks to develop specific reading skills at their level.
Each group is working on becoming independent readers. Today we talked about the expectations during our literacy block. We specifically talked about Read to Self, where students will be working independently to read their just right books.
Did you know there are 3 ways to read a book?
You can read the pictures by talking about them.
You can retell a familiar story to yourself.
You can read the words on the page.

We also talked about building our stamina. Students were able to follow the Read to Self expectations for 2-5 minutes, depending on their literacy group! By the end of the month, everyone's goal is to read for 20 minutes.

Montessori work period

   

Today we had a first glimpse at our Montessori work period. While we're still setting you routines and expectations within our classroom, students had an opportunity to review lessons that they may be familiar with from last year. Students explored the Montessori bead bars, worked with tens frames, used the moveable alphabet to create their names, and explored the Montessori golden beads. Over the next couple of weeks we will continue to set up the expectations for our Montessori work period so all students can be successful and work to their full potential.


  
This afternoon we talked more about our Peace corner. As part of the Montessori Peace Education program, students have the opportunity to use the Peace corner in our classroom to help them resolve small conflicts amongst themselves and/or use it a space to practice mindfulness. Today we talked about what makes each of us feel peaceful. Hopefully this is something students can recall when they use our classroom Peace corner throughout the year.

Exploring our Natural Environment

    

I can use my senses. 

Today we took the opportunity to get outside and explore some hands-on natural learning. Students used their senses (all but taste, of course) to explore our discovery garden. As scientists, we observed the plants using our eyes, noses, and hands. We found insects and bugs. We heard the leaves blowing and the sprinkler system watering the grass. We observed a caterpiller in its natural habitat. There is so much to see, hear, smell, and feel when you just take the time to observe.

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An important notice came home today regarding clubs, which will be happening during school hours. Please read it and return it tomorrow with your child's choices. 

Great 2nd day of school!

Mrs. Wacker was amazed at how well everyone has learned our class routines!

Now you are asking...why are you posting pictures of shoes.  We used shoes as a metaphor for how choose "GOOD FIT" books.   We learned we have different shoes for different purposes?  I wouldn't wear cowboy boots to play tennis and I wouldn't wear my rainboots for a fancy dinner out.  Similarly, we read books for different purposes.  We read non-fiction books to learn information, Fly Guy for a laugh, and other books to go on adventures!

We each got a book bag and chose books that were at a good level for us and that we found interesting.  Each day we will be learning skills, so that we can start our daily independent /guided reading program next week.

We worked on printing skills, using Montessori Insets to create designs.  These insets help us trace, colour, shade, and create vertical, horizontal and diagonal lines. We also used white boards to practice forming letters.  We are practicing letters in families of letters formed in a similar way.  Today we did the "Downers".  When creating all of these letters,  you start at the top and go down, then hop back up and create horizontal lines from left to right.  L. T, I, H, F, and E are all "Downers".  Practicing this way will help us create "Muscle Memory". 

 

In math, we made two I CAN statements today.

I can represent numbers in different ways.  We used our math books to represent the number two through pictures, ten frames, equations and tally marks.

I can subitize numbers.  We learned that subitizing, is when we can recall a number based on its pattern without having to count the number.   This is a very important skill in grade one and two.  (The patterns on a dice, help us subitize, so we don't have to count the dots).  Today we used ten frame cards to help us subitize numbers in a game called "Line Them Up".  Kids had to recognized the patterns and tell their partners how they knew their numbers.  Example:  "That is eight, because it is two less than ten", or "It is eight because I see 5 and 3 more".

Welcome to our class!

Today we read the story, The Dot and we used the I Can Statement - I can paint. Students explored water colour paints and created Dot masterpieces. We used bright, bold colours to paint dots of different sizes and colours and we learned about respecting our classroom materials (paints and brushes) and respecting our friends work.