We have been busy in math the past two weeks! We have learned two new math work places: Pattern Block Puzzles and Count & Compare Pennies. In Pattern Block Puzzles, the children choose a pattern block puzzle sheet and use pattern blocks to find three different ways to cover the shape. Finding a third way has been the most challenging! This is a great activity that has children exploring shapes to make other shapes.

When this new work place was introduced, we worked with our math partners to explore the puzzle sheets. Each partner had to cover one shape with pattern blocks. Then, they dyad (structured math talk) about the similarities and differences on how they each covered their shape. After, they worked together to fill up the third shape. In the video below, you'll see two children sharing their observations.



Count & Compare Pennies is identical to Count & Compare Butterflies, except that instead of the children counting butterflies, they are counting pennies. This is the first encounter with coins this year in math. Ask your child how much a penny is worth.

The children have also been introduced to the Rekenrek. Our math interventionist came into the classroom and introduced this fun math tool to us and we even got to use our own mini-rekenreks to build numbers! The rekenrek is composed of two rods-each with ten beads on them. Each rod has five red beads and five white beads. The rekenrek is a great visual model that will be used to help children decompose (break down) numbers, . For example: the number 8 can be seen as 5 and 3 more or 4 and 4. This is an important foundation for the understanding of numbers, which will be very helpful in first grade!

We have learned all of our lowercase letters in Fundations! The children were very excited last week to add the last two letters to the board. This week we began working on forming the uppercase letters and review the correct formation for the lowercase letters. We will work quickly through this next unit (it's only 3 weeks long). During this unit the children will also gain knowledge of syllable awareness.

The past two weeks we've been reading Mo Willems books and have loved the Pigeon books. We are also beginning to enjoy the Elephant and Piggie Books! Once we had read all 4 Pigeon books, we brainstormed words that would describe Pigeon. Then, we created a graph showing what our favorite Pigeon book was. The Pigeon Wants a Puppy! seemed to be a class favorite. During literacy stations, the children have also been creating their own Pigeon stories. In writer's workshop, we've been learning about "talk bubbles" and looking at how Mo Willems uses them in his stories.

The children have also began a spelling program called Words Their Way. This program has the children sorting words and pictures. The children will come in on Tuesday and cut and sort their words. Throughout the week, the children will practice sorting their words and activities will be incorporated during literacy stations to reinforce their words. On Mondays, they will be gluing their words in their word study journal and practicing writing the words and/or using them in sentences.