Math

Standouts from this time period:  Obsession with number scrolls, Peek a Box Investigation, Addition Number Stories, Subtraction Number Models, Subtraction Number Stories, Graphing, Fractions!

Number scrolls have taken off in the first grade.  Over the past month, number sense and place value have clicked for many of the first graders and they have become very excited about their number scrolls, requesting the activity and choosing it for P.A.T. at every opportunity.  This sense continues to develop through second grade and excitement generally peaks and wanes once the student reaches 2 or 3,000.  Support your child wherever they are at, and realize that they are practicing number formation, learning to correct reversals, place value, fine motor control, and concentration.  

The first graders completed a probability investigation called Peek A Box.  I provided partnerships with a box full of ten marbles and a flashlight.  Each box had a hole in one corner large enough to see the color of one marble when tilted towards the student.  I told students that there were yellow and green marbles in each box and that each box had the same ratio of green to yellow marbles.  Students tried to guess how many of each in the box.  Then, partners tilted their boxes ten times and recorded their findings on a graphic organizer.  We graphed their results and discussed them.  Collaboration, critical thinking, communication were all a part of this activity and we really enjoyed it.

I taught several lessons on addition and subtraction number models and number stories.  Students found my drawings of cheetahs hilarious and were excited to show me their beautiful drawings to accompany their stories.

Grid and Bear It is always popular and students followed directions as I modeled on a large sheet of graph paper in order to graph their own Eager Elephant.

And, finally, fractions.  Audrey and Marek were helpers as first graders created their own fraction kits: whole, halves, quarters, eighths, and sixteenths.  I have introduced the game of Cover Up and students will play in partnerships in order to begin to understand equivalencies, two halves equal a whole, etc. Most exciting, we moved on to making our own waffles and eating and recording our waffle fifths.  Much thanks to Brenda Surrey, Barbara Temsamani, and Colby Smith for help on Fraction Waffle Day.