Two Digit Subtracting

We have been learning about two digit subtraction.  We are just in the beginning phases, so we are using pictures to help us.  Here are the steps:

1.  Draw a picture of the total or larger number.  Use tens and ones.  Decide if you can subtract.  Can you take 6 ones away from 2 ones?  If you can, go to step four.  If you can't, go to step two. 

2.  Break a ten into 10 ones and add it to the ones.    We say, "Get more ones, from the tens!"

3.  Make you number representation match the new picture. 

4.  Subtract the ones.

5.  Subtract the tens.  Go back and check your work.

Crayfish Experiment

Today we started our Science unit called Balance and Motion.  We started with the Crayfish Experiment.  We used the "crayfish" and clothespins to explore the idea of balance and stability.  First, we balanced the crayfish on our finger without the clothespins.  Then, we used the clothespins to balance the crayfish in different ways including on the tip of its nose!   We learned the words and concepts of balance point, stability and counterweights.  Ask your child about what worked and what didn't work in our experiment. 

Squiggle Stories

This week we have been working on writing Squiggle Stories.  This is an opportunity for students to be creative in writing a story.  They make all the decisions!

First, students will draw a picture to represent their story.  The picture starts with a squiggle.  Everyone gets the same squiggle but what they do with it is up to them.    Next, student write a story to match the picture.  We are learning about the parts of a good story including characters, setting, problem, solution etc. 

Here are a few samples from this week!

The Wizard of Oz

Today we had our first field trip!  We went to see The Wizard of Oz at the Children's Theatre in Minneapolis.  It was amazing!  The production was very true to the story and the special effects were very well done.  Everyone enjoyed it and was very entertained.  Ask your child about their favorite parts.  I think there are some future actors and actresses in our class!

Famous Faces

Today we had some special visitors come to our classroom! 

The Sixth grade is getting ready for their Famous Faces presentation on Friday afternoon.  6 students came and gave their presentation to us today.  We learned about famous people in history.  Ask your child who came to visit us! 

Thank you to the 6th grade teachers and students for sharing your hard work with us.  It was amazing! 

Stanley Lieber

Pablo Picasso

Babe Ruth

Mother Teresa

Dr. Seuss

Aaliyah

Reading Party and Bunco!

Today we had our Reading Party!  We did many different activities as a part of our party!

I caught everyone reading with their special stuffed animals.  We had some special books to read as well.  It was a fun time.  Then, we had Hot Buttered Toast!  It was super delicious!  Next, we learned about the Subnivean Zone.  We read a book call Over and Under the Snow  by Kate Messner.  It was so fascinating!   The subnivean zone is the area under the snow that stays at about 32 degrees all winter.  Animals hibernate in this area.  We watched a very interesting video about a fox on top of the snow hunting a mouse under the snow.  If you would like to watch it click here.  We ended our morning by going to the Library to check out books.  Ms. Z even let us check out an extra book!

After Phy. Ed. this afternoon we played Bunco!  It was so much fun and everyone was very good at it. Thank you to the parent volunteers and Mr. DePrez for playing with us!  

We are readers!

Enjoying good books!

Read!

Reading is Awesome!

We love to READ!

Enjoying our morning reading!

Read!

Hot Buttered Toast!  Can you smell it?

Yum!  Toast!

Three great books for break!

Ready for Bunco!

Monday Fun!

This afternoon we started one more fun project for December.  We started working on our Snow People.  Today, we made hats, mittens and some people worked on their faces.  We will wrap up this project tomorrow.

After Phy. Ed. today we used the iPads to use the app called Dragon Shapes.  It is an app (free) that introduces the tangram concept and has students slide, flip or turn the shapes to make new designs and shapes.  As you progress through the levels it becomes harder and harder to manipulate the shapes and make them fit.  It was a good challenge.