Things are brewing up as October comes to an end.

 I cannot believe that October is almost coming to an end. First and second grade have been working really hard and having tons of fun learning together. We have had a lot of opportunities to use the ipads and the students have enjoyed working on their math, sight words, and spelling on them. The application we have been using tracks each individual student and moves them up levels as they master the skills. As they progress, the students earn coins to purchase rewards. This week each student was assigned to an ipad for the remaining of the year. They were very excited about this :) The ipads have been great at helping reinforce skills they have learned as well as provide enrichment for the students as they move forward.

In first grade, we have focused this month on beginning addition. The students have used many different manipulatives to add parts together to make a whole. Today, we started talking about equations and what the plus and equal sign means. Next week, we are going to play a fun function machine game that I played when I was in first grade. I am excited to share it with the class.

In second grade, we have focused on time. They have done a fantastic job at grasping the concept of time. We have worked on telling time by the hour and elapsed time by the hour. We have made up fun stories about some of the students in our class and used the clock to tell their story. The class has enjoyed using real life experiences in math.

EX: Winston went to his piano lesson at 4:00 and was there for 1 hour. What time did he leave?
EX: Mackenzie left for ballet at 3:00 and arrived at her practice at 4:00. She was there for 1 hour. What time did she leave?

This week in reading, we have integrated some of our vocabulary and word work with first and second grade. It has been a great review for some of the second grade students and enriching for the first grade students. The students have enjoyed sharing some of our reading and we will continue to do this as the year goes on.

In social studies we have learned about government services. We discussed what government services are and what those people do for their communities. The students have drafted ideas about a chosen government service. Many have finished their graphic organizer and are working on writing about that person. It will be fun to read them when they are finished.

On Halloween we are going to have a class party. We hope that everyone can make it. We had a blast last year and I know we will this year too! Feel free to join us and read a spooky book and eat some of our delicious brew!!!!