So much to tell you. These kids are on a roll with ideas and excitement. Please check your email this week if you haven't. We are getting the beautification project going for our yard and there is info about next week's plant drive on Tuesday and Wednesday.
***Check the end of this blog entry if you'd like to do some homework together this long weekend!
This week we journaled after looking at many video snippets inspired by the song we are singing this month. The song is performed by Credence Clearwater Revival and is called Down on the Corner. This mentions many instruments that the students were curious about: a harp that is blown, a kalamazoo, a kazoo and a washboard. The students watched the videos below and discussed how the sound comes out of each of these instruments.
It is always interesting to notice how all the topics we are involved in overlap. The discussions lead us to think about our "how things work" diagrams and many students were interested in making their own diagrams explaining how the sound is made by the way a certain instrument is used. Great ideas!
I hope you enjoy watching these videos together:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnMXzCGNPSo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5xOnrzxLrs&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bE9aqAO95IM&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKOxd2J_4Hg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydATyWH3AdE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VttMbZzrbqQ
The students have also been working on finishing up their animals for the arctic and snowy tree wall. This work has been about observing these animals' features closely and also taking more tries to get the best effect. The students are showing great skill in giving clear and specific feedback. This means flexibility and the desire to make your work your best. These images show how these skills are coming together!
Spelling words keep coming in! There are some students who have a new spelling word each day! I have been encouraging students to chose a word to practice at home with you and then to share it with the class when they feel they have it memorized. Please ask your child what word they are thinking about and also how they feel they best memorize new things. Many students wanted to take this long weekend to learn some new words- I can't wait to hear them all next Tuesday. Here is a little glimpse of this process. The word wall and word file has been a great resource for students as they write, too.
Also, here is a glimpse into some of the math we've been exploring- grouping. I hope your child will explain the photo in more detail, and maybe they can show you how they worked out my gift bags for friends. What other real life math problems have come up for you lately?
***Homework possibilities for this weekend:
Look up a gut base- how is this instrument played? How will you share this with your friends on Tuesday?
Look up a United States president (past or present) and write a little info to share with the class about that person.
Draw your own "how things work" diagram. What do you use to make the reader know what is happening in the image?
Chose some spelling words to memorize.
Thank you, as always, for sharing your fabulous children with me! Enjoy the long weekend together. Love, Jennifer
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