Pine Class News Update
September 18, 2015
Pine Class is on a roll!
We made the most of a short week! The Pine Class has really been sticking to our schedule in order to start lessons and to get places on time. That intention has helped us get more learning and fun out of our day.
We have also celebrated how we are taking care of each other. We have a really kind group of students.
Guided Discovery of Glue Sticks and Paper
At the beginning of the year, we introduce children to materials one by one.
Sometimes we do interactive modeling. In that approach we show children exactly how to use a material the right way, so that it doesn't end up on the ceiling or in somebody's face. You know. Crowd control!
On the other hand, we also do a lot of guided discovery. In this approach we bring out a material and we discuss the creative potential of the material. "What can we do with glue sticks and paper? ... What else can we do?"
Here are some of the results!
Sometimes we do interactive modeling. In that approach we show children exactly how to use a material the right way, so that it doesn't end up on the ceiling or in somebody's face. You know. Crowd control!
On the other hand, we also do a lot of guided discovery. In this approach we bring out a material and we discuss the creative potential of the material. "What can we do with glue sticks and paper? ... What else can we do?"
Here are some of the results!
What's next?
Without fail, children say, "Can I use pencils?", "Can I use colored pencils?"
It is really, really hard to say, "No" to a child's creative ideas. However, at this point in the year, we see a lot of benefit in requiring children to use one material at a time during our guided discoveries. Look carefully at the pictures above, and you'll see how the children's creativity is amplified within these restraints.
We also explained to the children how we are rolling out materials. "Next we'll practice with pencils in the art studio, then colored pencils, then scissors...and then you'll have the choice to use all of our materials."
This also helps us develop systems for organizing materials with the children rather than showing them systems for organization that we teachers came up with.
It is really, really hard to say, "No" to a child's creative ideas. However, at this point in the year, we see a lot of benefit in requiring children to use one material at a time during our guided discoveries. Look carefully at the pictures above, and you'll see how the children's creativity is amplified within these restraints.
We also explained to the children how we are rolling out materials. "Next we'll practice with pencils in the art studio, then colored pencils, then scissors...and then you'll have the choice to use all of our materials."
This also helps us develop systems for organizing materials with the children rather than showing them systems for organization that we teachers came up with.
Reading
When we read alone we are focusing on our own book for 10 minutes at a time. But still we like to be near good learning partners!
When we read together, we make sure everyone can see. We take turns reading, or we read at the same time. We stop and talk about the book a lot. Just like we do when the teacher reads a book out loud to the class.
Groups and Collaboration
When lots of us choose to work alone, each structure only has a few blocks.
When we work together we can use more blocks to make something more interesting, AND we finish with time leftover so we can play and act out a story in the structure.
Math: Tens and Ones
In math we are completing an inventory of our classroom. Ask your child, "What do you know about tens and ones?", "Why is it helpful to count by tens?" or maybe, "Why don't people count by 12s very often?"
Look at the this picture together with your child and ask, "Why did your teachers put different colors of tape on the fours?"
Writing
The writing in our classroom is off to a great start. Sorry not to include any pictures. Children are choosing to work in one of the three genres we taught last year: personal narratives that they call "small moments", instructions or "how-to's", and fiction.
We have been focusing on mechanics this week. A combined effort of home and school to remind children that capital letters only go at the beginning of sentences and in names would be very helpful!
Next week we will talk about the uses of writing and why we love writing.
Soon, we will start writing poetry.
We have been focusing on mechanics this week. A combined effort of home and school to remind children that capital letters only go at the beginning of sentences and in names would be very helpful!
Next week we will talk about the uses of writing and why we love writing.
Soon, we will start writing poetry.