November is Almost Over

Are you ready for December? It will be here before you know it. As we draw closer to the end of the year, we will be getting ready for more assessments. The excitement that comes with the events in December can cause students to become distracted. There are just a few weeks left until Winter Break. Working together, we can keep the students on track.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving will be here next week and there are exciting things happening.

1) Tuesday - Turkey Trot - Have you collected sponsors?
2) Wednesday - Field Trip
3) Thursday - Thanksgiving Day - No school
4) Friday - No school

Math

The math unit we are currently studying is teaching the students a variety of ways to add and subtract. A lot of the techniques use mental math, but the students show their work so that they can learn all of the steps. These solutions may seem like they take longer, but once mastered, they can be done mentally and a lot quicker than the traditional methods taught 20 years ago.

All students learn differently. By teaching more than one way to solve a problem, the students can identify with the solutions that are the easiest for them to solve on their own. Eventually, they will be given the freedom to choose whichever method they would like to use.

It is important for the students to write down all of their steps so that I can identify where and how they have made a mistake (if or when they make a mistake).

Here are some examples:

Problem:
62-39 =

Solution
39 + ____ = 62

39 + 1 = 40 (add 1)
40 + 20 = 60 (add 2 tens)
60 + 2 = 62 (add 2)

1 + 2 tens + 2 = 23

Solution:
add one to both numbers
63-40 = 23

62-39 is one more than 62-40
62-40=22
22+1=23

Solution:
use place value disks (or draw them)

unbundle one 10

cross out 3 tens and 9 ones

Count the remaining disks
2 tens + 3 ones = 23

Problem:
74+38 =

Solution:
7 tens + 3 tens + 4 ones + 8 ones
10 tens + 12 ones
1 hundred 1 ten 2 ones
74+38 = 112

Problem:
124+38 =

Solution:
add the ones = 12
add the tens = 50
one hundred = 100

Problem:
29+42

Solution:
use number bonds

Problem:
53-30

Solution:
use number bonds

STEM Night

I enjoyed meeting students and parents on Friday's STEM night. I am sorry if you missed me. I felt lonely waiting in the classroom. I stood outside the door, or nearby. I saw lots of parents and students. It was fun meeting everyone.

Lots of people said that if they needed anything, to just let them know. I have an online sign-up sheet for items needed for different class projects. You can go to the page and see what we need and if anyone has already signed up to bring it.

www.SignUpGenius.com/go/10C0E4CAAA92DA0FE3-supplies1 


       

2nd Grade

I am so excited to start teaching second grade again! We are going to have a fun year.