Measurement is A-Mazing!

Our students are getting some hands-on experience working with capacity! Ms. Dilley, our student teacher from JMU, gave the students some different size containers and tubs of rice. The students estimated how much rice each container would hold. The students completed the sentence frames for their estimations: "less than a liter," "about a liter," or "more than a liter." They were amazed at how the shape of each container could effect the capacity! Math is so much fun!

New Year, New Goals!

I can't believe it is January already! With the start of the new calendar year, it is always interesting to have the students take time to reflect on their own learning goals for the remainder of the school year. As we take the time to do some mid-year benchmark testing in both reading and math, the students will be looking at their own scores and setting goals for themselves in those areas, as well as areas of their own choice. Students are writing about these goals and have great ideas for meeting their goals and are identifying strategies for each goal. Ask your child what some of their goals might be. You just may be surprised!

Multiplication Mania!

The students have been working so hard to learn their basic multiplication facts! I am proud of their efforts! This is a year long effort and it is so important for the students to become automatic in their recall of facts. Please have your children practice their facts at home. You can make this fact practice fun by playing games, such as rolling two dice and finding the product. Another idea is to play multiplication "war" using playing cards. If you have internet access at home, you can have your child play a variety of practice games online, such as the games on my portaportal, which you can find from the Keister webpage. Here are also a link to some of my favorite multiplication games online: http://www.multiplication.com/games/all-games Enjoy your winter break and keep learning!

Fall Fun!

We have been enjoying all of our learning activities heading into this lovely fall season! One of our favorites was our first i-STEM unit, where we built a bird beak using provided materials. We were able to design our own beak and then test the beak using "bird foods!" We used science, mathematics, engineering and technology throughout these lessons and learned a great deal about animal adaptations! Check out some photos of our beaks and the learning process!

Engaging Mathematics!

We have been spending time in mathematics gaining a better understanding of the true meaning of numbers up to one hundred thousand. The students have built models of numbers using base ten blocks, practiced writing forms of numbers in various ways, explored their number sense by doing a variety of cooperative games and activities and even had time to use technology, such as the iPads to show off their learning! Here are some pictures to show our class in action during math! Enjoy!

Awesome August Fun!

The school year is off to an "Awesome August" start! Now we can't wait for some "Super September" fun! We have enjoyed getting to know one another during these first two weeks, and even learned a few things about reading, math, and science along the way! We have read some great stories, learned to read numbers to the hundred thousands place, and created our own whirlybirds in science to explore flight! Enjoy these pictures of our whirlybirds in action!

Getting Ready!

I am getting so excited for the new school year right around the corner! Don't get me wrong... I love summer with the time to enjoy my family, and of course, reading, reading, reading, but nothing is more fun than the anticipation of a brand new school year! That school supply smell in every store?! My favorite! I can't wait to meet you all and get to know each and every one of your children! I thank you all in advance for sharing your most precious treasure with me each day. We will learn something new every day, work as family, and most of all, have a wonderful time! As you anticipate the school year as well, please don't hesitate to contact me before the year begins. I am always just a phone call, text, or email away! We are in this together! Let the adventure begin! Mrs. S