A Holly Jolly Week

What we've been up to in...

MATH
The class and I have been talking about 2D and 3D shapes. There's a really catchy song on YouTube called "3D Shapes That I Know" and it's been a quick way of helping students learn the names of each shape. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cg-Uc556-Q

They know that 3D shapes have many faces (or sides) whereas 2D shapes are flat. We went on a shape hunt for different objects in the classroom and sorted them by 2D and 3D shapes. Then I discussed the characteristics of 3D shapes and how their faces look like 2D shapes. I encourage you and your child to go on a shape hunt at home and see what you find!

For 2D shapes, we learned how to cut out simple shapes (squares, triangles, rectangles, hearts) and turn it into a snowflake. You should have seen the kids' faces when I was demonstrating how to fold and cut out shapes into the paper. When I finished cutting and opened up the paper to show my snowflake, it was as if I had performed a magic trick. The class gawked in amazement and clapped and squealed with joy! They couldn't believe their eyes and were so thrilled to make their own snowflake. Not only did this lesson revolve around shapes, but it also helped with their fine motor development (cutting with scissors, folding and unfolding paper) and listening/following directions. 

I had meetings every day this week before school. Despite my time crunch, I frantically hung up their snowflakes the next day to surprise the class!

Now it looks like a winter wonderland in our room. :)

When all of the snowflakes were finished, I asked the class if they all looked the same. The answer was no and I told the class that in a way, each snowflake is a reflection of each student's individuality. Everyone in our classroom is unique and brings something special to our "classroom family." Our snowflakes are a good representation of just how diverse our classroom is!

In math, we are also practicing using 5-groups to represent a number. Instead of counting by 1s, we can use a 5 group and count on.

5 = 5 + 0, 6 = 5 + 1, 7 = 5 + 2, 8 = 5 + 3, 9 = 5 + 4, 10 = 5 +5

SOCIAL STUDIES
I introduced maps and put the class into small groups. I gave each small group a map and they talked about different things they noticed, and then tried to figure out what their map was of. 

Water park

House

Neighborhood

World

Como Zoo

United States

Valley Fair

READING
We decorated our superhero capes on Friday!

Other news...
Chippy the Elf has been hiding in wacky places around our classroom. I left the photos on my school computer so I will post them next week.

Outside of school, I have been getting into the holiday spirit.

Ryan and I decorated my first "grown-up" tree in my little studio apartment. Super happy!

Decorating and eating sugar cookies..mmm!

I got all DIY for a Christmas present this year. Thank you to a local craft fair for the inspiration!