Hard at Work

Caught with the Camera

A Soft Song

I love taking short videos to see what magic flares up during free play. A song emerges from this moment. Yet, the play switches to a serious tone as they sit down to recite there is still a playful nature.

Wade Again

A Wading We Will Go

Everyday Math Problem

One of our student is an emerging reader and needs assistance with reading instruction from time to time. He is rather strong in the area of Math, but the reading in the book can sometimes slow down his progress. My intention is to guide him through the reading and the math problem, getting him inching closer to the solution.In the end he reaffirms that he knows exactly what to do to complete the problem

Pyramid or Prism?

In his book Everday Math a student looks at a drawing of a pyramid and has to match the word to the picture.My intention is to reinforce his knowledge and understanding of what a pyramid looks like. I think most of the confusion initially was in identifying with the actual words and distinguishing between the two: “prism and pyramid.” Where I think I have missed an opportunity is in his further inquiry into what a prism is. But, I can certainly revisit maybe some of this ambiguity surrounding a prism in the near future. And the irony is…come to think of it we have one right on our “science” table, which I recall him once looking through. If only I thought to have described it and had him search for it.

Student to Student Tutorial

I love it when students are eager to help each other out! I try not to interfere much with this student to student tutorial, unless they become too easily derailed from concentrating on the actual work. This particular duo likes to be hands on, literally, so you may notice I’m a bit skeptical at first. But the student assures me he’s driven, and I decide to let them have at it. When students are seriously willing to coach each other along through book related work or activities, then it is time to step a side as a teacher. I have observed some powerful lessons in learning occur in the classroom through this dynamic relationship between peers. The challenge is reminding and encouraging the student doing the “helping” not to reveal the answer, but to only guide them there.

Science and Color

Scouring the shelves of the curriculum closet I came across a “contraction” that had a tag on it that read: “For mixing, paint and potions.” This I thought, sounded mysterious and deserved to see the light of day. I thought I start with running water through the mechanical mixer just to see how it actually works. After testing it out, I thought it would be interesting to use this as a vehicle to introducing children to the the simple mechanics involving air, pressure, and water. And we added our own color to the water one could observe the actual flow of water as it channeled through the tubes. I still don’t think we used this apparatus as for what it is intended for, but without any directions included, we got to make this one up. I think the next time we will experiment with making paint and adding it directly to the their art work This should make for an interesting way of combining science with art!

Second Grader Swear Invention

“I invented a new swear word…”

“Is it C-R-A-P,” I spell out loud,to see if he’s paying any attention.

“No!” Curious I ask, “what is it?”

“CRIT,” he proudly states.

“Who taught you that I ask?” “You don’t want to know,” and he takes off to reunite with his friends in the school yard.

I’d have to admit it is quite clever.