Thursday, August 22, 2019
Math
Last Friday we completed another lesson from a Week of Inspirational Math (see description below). This lesson taught students one of the most important lessons in mathematics: Speed is not important in learning and success. Students were introduced to Hailstone sequences, one of the world's unsolved math problems. As you can imagine, they were very intrigued while exploring and creating these sequences! Students also watched the video, Speed is not Important (click the link to watch).
Students completed a Math in Focus benchmark test and the beginning-of-the-year math iReady test. This data, as well as in-class observations, will support me in starting small-group math next week!
Thursday Folders:
Reading
Today we started our first novel study. We are reading Shiloh, one of my favorite novels, in order to explore figurative language, identify and justify our thoughts about theme, and practice answering comprehension questions. We will also review and practice reading skills and strategies, like main idea and detail, throughout the novel.
Current Read Aloud: Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl
National Parks Unit
This week students researched five National Parks (Olympic, Death Valley, Yellowstone, Everglades, and Acadia) and took a Google Survey to share their preferred park to study further. Students then met with their park group to develop group norms for working collaboratively. Each group will be navigating their way through a Camping Interact! Look for more information about the Interact next week. After we complete the unit, students will receive their free National Park pass through the Every Kid in a Park program! These passes are valid from September 1st-August 31st of the following year. My hope is that everyone can find a park or two to visit this school year!
6 Words, 6 Unique Shots - Film Premier
Wow, has this been an exciting and rewarding project! Today, with the help of some wonderful volunteers, students created and edited their iMovies. They imported their files, edited the picture effects, shortened the videos, added titles, changed the transitions, included music, etc. Several students became "experts" in these areas and began helping other students. Most students were able to export their movies to their Drives.
On Monday we will have a Film Premier, during which each student will be able to share their movie with the class. I am planning to bring a juice box and individual bag of popcorn for each student to enjoy during the movies. If your child has any food allergies and/or sensitivities, please reach out to me. I will be sure to grab something that everyone can enjoy!
Social-Emotional Learning
Ms. Nicole challenged small groups to find something they all had in common in 60 seconds. Then students formed new groups to find something that no one had in common in 60 seconds. Ms. Nicole led a discussion on the importance of getting to know one another while honoring what makes us different.
Important Dates:
Friday, August 23rd: SAC Meeting
Monday, August 26th: Film Premier Day!
Tuesday, August 27th: Assessment Day, school is by appointment only
Wednesday, August 28th: Fun Run
Math
Last Friday we completed another lesson from a Week of Inspirational Math (see description below). This lesson taught students one of the most important lessons in mathematics: Speed is not important in learning and success. Students were introduced to Hailstone sequences, one of the world's unsolved math problems. As you can imagine, they were very intrigued while exploring and creating these sequences! Students also watched the video, Speed is not Important (click the link to watch).
Students completed a Math in Focus benchmark test and the beginning-of-the-year math iReady test. This data, as well as in-class observations, will support me in starting small-group math next week!
Thursday Folders:
- Hailstone Sequences
Reading
Today we started our first novel study. We are reading Shiloh, one of my favorite novels, in order to explore figurative language, identify and justify our thoughts about theme, and practice answering comprehension questions. We will also review and practice reading skills and strategies, like main idea and detail, throughout the novel.
Current Read Aloud: Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl
National Parks Unit
This week students researched five National Parks (Olympic, Death Valley, Yellowstone, Everglades, and Acadia) and took a Google Survey to share their preferred park to study further. Students then met with their park group to develop group norms for working collaboratively. Each group will be navigating their way through a Camping Interact! Look for more information about the Interact next week. After we complete the unit, students will receive their free National Park pass through the Every Kid in a Park program! These passes are valid from September 1st-August 31st of the following year. My hope is that everyone can find a park or two to visit this school year!
6 Words, 6 Unique Shots - Film Premier
Wow, has this been an exciting and rewarding project! Today, with the help of some wonderful volunteers, students created and edited their iMovies. They imported their files, edited the picture effects, shortened the videos, added titles, changed the transitions, included music, etc. Several students became "experts" in these areas and began helping other students. Most students were able to export their movies to their Drives.
On Monday we will have a Film Premier, during which each student will be able to share their movie with the class. I am planning to bring a juice box and individual bag of popcorn for each student to enjoy during the movies. If your child has any food allergies and/or sensitivities, please reach out to me. I will be sure to grab something that everyone can enjoy!
Social-Emotional Learning
Ms. Nicole challenged small groups to find something they all had in common in 60 seconds. Then students formed new groups to find something that no one had in common in 60 seconds. Ms. Nicole led a discussion on the importance of getting to know one another while honoring what makes us different.
Important Dates:
Friday, August 23rd: SAC Meeting
Monday, August 26th: Film Premier Day!
Tuesday, August 27th: Assessment Day, school is by appointment only
Wednesday, August 28th: Fun Run
Thursday, August 15, 2019
I have truly enjoyed getting to know my students over the last seven days! This is a wonderful class that makes me excited to come to school every day! Here's a bit about what we've been up to...
Math
We are starting the school year off with A Week of Inspirational Math. This is an amazing program that teaches students (through a series of videos and interactive, challenging lessons) that all people are "math people", everyone can achieve the highest levels of math, and that parts of our brain actually grow and shrink depending on how and how often they are utilized. Kids also learn that struggling with math concepts before learning them actually grows our brains and that speedy math often doesn't equate with a deep understanding of math. The messages, “Mistakes are beautiful things!” and "Believe in yourself!" are also reinforced through this program. In fact, making mistakes and believing in ourselves are two key factors in understanding math deeply. Please click on the links below to watch the videos we have already watched in class. These are great concepts to reinforce at home, and we will be revisiting them throughout the school year. I will share new videos with you as we watch them in class.
Brains Grow and Change
Mistakes are Powerful
Believe in Yourself
Thursday Folders
ALP Survey
Students took a Google Survey to answer some questions about their academic and social/emotional strengths and target areas. This will help me as I begin to draft ALPs. I will be meeting with students 1-on-1 to discuss their survey responses and ALP goals.
Literacy
What am I Like?
Students wrote a poem to compare themselves to four different things in the world. Each stanza starts with the question, "Am I like _____ or _____?" and ends with the answer, "I am like _____ because _____." For example, one student wrote, "Am I like sunrise or sunset? I am like sunrise because in the morning I rise out of my bed like the sun coming out of the mountains and then I slowly begin my day."
Current Read Aloud: The Twits by Roald Dahl
Thursday Folders
Other Activities
Introducing Me!
Students answered several questions to help me get to know them better as individuals. They shared things like what they like to do after school, their favorite subject and why, something I could help them with and why, and the most important thing they wanted me to know.
Paper Chain Challenge
Groups of students were given the following materials and challenged with making the longest chain possible: 11x18 piece of construction paper, scissors, and glue. Some chains stretched across the entire room and others weren't quite as long. After the activity, students reflected on how their group dynamic and construction strategy impacted their results. They also discussed what they would do differently if given a second chance.
Important Dates
Friday, August 16th: Picture Day and Back-to-School Carnival
Tuesday, August 20th: Fun Run Assembly
Wednesday, August 21st: 6 Words, 6 Unique Shots are due (uploaded to your child's drive or emailed)
Friday, August 23rd: SAC Meeting
I have truly enjoyed getting to know my students over the last seven days! This is a wonderful class that makes me excited to come to school every day! Here's a bit about what we've been up to...
Math
We are starting the school year off with A Week of Inspirational Math. This is an amazing program that teaches students (through a series of videos and interactive, challenging lessons) that all people are "math people", everyone can achieve the highest levels of math, and that parts of our brain actually grow and shrink depending on how and how often they are utilized. Kids also learn that struggling with math concepts before learning them actually grows our brains and that speedy math often doesn't equate with a deep understanding of math. The messages, “Mistakes are beautiful things!” and "Believe in yourself!" are also reinforced through this program. In fact, making mistakes and believing in ourselves are two key factors in understanding math deeply. Please click on the links below to watch the videos we have already watched in class. These are great concepts to reinforce at home, and we will be revisiting them throughout the school year. I will share new videos with you as we watch them in class.
Brains Grow and Change
Mistakes are Powerful
Believe in Yourself
Thursday Folders
- 4 Fours: Students had to use 4 fours to create 20 different equations that equaled 1-20. We loved this activity! It can be done again at home or modified as 3 Threes or 5 Fives!
- Fewest Squares: Students drew an 11x13 rectangle and made several attempts at using the entire space to create as few squares as possible. Many of our students used 8 squares to fill the space and we have a few students share their solution of using 6 squares to fill the space!
- Squares to Stairs: Students explored how they saw a pattern growing and then volunteers shared different ideas with the class. We then worked on the back of the paper to figure out what Figures 10 and 55 would look like! No one has found the correct answer to how many squares would be in Figure 55. I told the kiddos I would go over the answer next week on Thursday or Friday so they had time to work on this from home (if they choose).
ALP Survey
Students took a Google Survey to answer some questions about their academic and social/emotional strengths and target areas. This will help me as I begin to draft ALPs. I will be meeting with students 1-on-1 to discuss their survey responses and ALP goals.
Literacy
What am I Like?
Students wrote a poem to compare themselves to four different things in the world. Each stanza starts with the question, "Am I like _____ or _____?" and ends with the answer, "I am like _____ because _____." For example, one student wrote, "Am I like sunrise or sunset? I am like sunrise because in the morning I rise out of my bed like the sun coming out of the mountains and then I slowly begin my day."
Current Read Aloud: The Twits by Roald Dahl
Thursday Folders
- What am I Like?
Other Activities
Introducing Me!
Students answered several questions to help me get to know them better as individuals. They shared things like what they like to do after school, their favorite subject and why, something I could help them with and why, and the most important thing they wanted me to know.
Paper Chain Challenge
Groups of students were given the following materials and challenged with making the longest chain possible: 11x18 piece of construction paper, scissors, and glue. Some chains stretched across the entire room and others weren't quite as long. After the activity, students reflected on how their group dynamic and construction strategy impacted their results. They also discussed what they would do differently if given a second chance.
Important Dates
Friday, August 16th: Picture Day and Back-to-School Carnival
Tuesday, August 20th: Fun Run Assembly
Wednesday, August 21st: 6 Words, 6 Unique Shots are due (uploaded to your child's drive or emailed)
Friday, August 23rd: SAC Meeting
Back to School Information
Dear Parents and Students,
Welcome to the 2019-2020 school year! I hope you had a wonderful summer full of adventure, laughter, relaxation, and fun! As you will find out throughout the year, I love to travel. This summer I was able to visit all three National Parks in Florida! I had exciting encounters with sea turtles, jellyfish, alligators, and even a nurse shark! I also took a trip to Wisconsin with my family, spent lots of time with my dogs and 10-year-old Godson, and hosted several out-of-state family members and friends. It was a memorable summer, but I am ready to start a new school year!
Our first day of school is Wednesday, August 7th! Soft start begins at 8:25 and the school day starts at 8:35. If you haven't already, please visit the school website to sign up for a Meet and Greet time slot. Meet and Greets are scheduled for the evening of Monday, August 5th and the morning of Tuesday, August 6th. I am truly looking forward to meeting and chatting with each and every one of you!
Here are a few other important dates for the month of August:
Enjoy the last couple weeks of summer!
Kind regards,
Ms. Dreyer
If you have questions, please email me at ldreyer@dcsdk12.org
Dear Parents and Students,
Welcome to the 2019-2020 school year! I hope you had a wonderful summer full of adventure, laughter, relaxation, and fun! As you will find out throughout the year, I love to travel. This summer I was able to visit all three National Parks in Florida! I had exciting encounters with sea turtles, jellyfish, alligators, and even a nurse shark! I also took a trip to Wisconsin with my family, spent lots of time with my dogs and 10-year-old Godson, and hosted several out-of-state family members and friends. It was a memorable summer, but I am ready to start a new school year!
Our first day of school is Wednesday, August 7th! Soft start begins at 8:25 and the school day starts at 8:35. If you haven't already, please visit the school website to sign up for a Meet and Greet time slot. Meet and Greets are scheduled for the evening of Monday, August 5th and the morning of Tuesday, August 6th. I am truly looking forward to meeting and chatting with each and every one of you!
Here are a few other important dates for the month of August:
- Friday, August 16th - Picture Day and Back to School Carnival
- Tuesday, August 27th - Assessment Day (more information to follow)
- Wednesday, August 28th - Fun Run (more information to follow)
Enjoy the last couple weeks of summer!
Kind regards,
Ms. Dreyer
If you have questions, please email me at ldreyer@dcsdk12.org