Weekly Update 9/9

Despite our "flood day" we still managed to accomplish a lot this week!  In addition to all of our get-to-know-you activities and discussions we started right in with our academic work.

In math, we started learning about place value and writing numbers in standard, expanded, and word form.  The students worked with place value blocks to help them with these concepts. 

In social studies we discussed rules and the importance of them.  We also started our first lesson in the Map Essentials book.  Today, we talked about the cardinal directions (North, South, East, West) and how to use a compass rose.  The students learned the phrase, "Never Eat Soggy Waffles" to help them remember the position of the directions on the compass rose.  We will continue this lesson next week when we will learn about the intermediate directions.  The students will also be making their own compass roses.

We started reading the book, Freckle Juice and the students practiced making and revising predictions as we read.  We will continue with this book next week.

In writing, we talked about using descriptive words.  The students began a writing activity in which they are writing about a trip they took this summer.  They are using sense words and vivid descriptions to help paint a picture in the reader's mind. 

Today we visited the computer lab.  The students practiced logging in and they learned how to change the font, size, and color of text in a Word document.  The students also practiced accessing my website online and using the "helpful websites" link on the site.

Enjoy the weekend!  Hopefully it will be a dry one!