Y Week!!

1.  

   Friday, April 27, 2012

   
   

   "Y" Not???

   Next week we will focus on the letter Y. We will learn about how conventions can change the meaning of a sentence, when we read the book Yo, Yes. Students will make a list of foods they think are YUMMY and foods they think are YUCKY and we will encourage the kids to try new foods (at home) they have never tried. We will also be learning about the author Mem Fox. The children will hear various books by this fun author and take time to compare her characters and her style of writing. You can click on the link to the right to learn more about this entertaining author.

   
   In math we will continue to work on problem solving as well as be introduced to the function machine. We have been focusing on addition and subtraction through problem solving and games. Our class has been trying to solve multiple step problems as well. These kinds of problems are very challenging for the students. My goal is for them to get the correct answer but more importantly to be able to explain their thinking and describe in words and pictures how they solved it (this is often the challenging part). Here are some examples of problems we solved this week, you may want to make up similiar problems and work on them together at home. Remember to focus on the HOW you solve the problem...the process is most important.

   The cat has five claws on each front paw.

   The cat has 4 claws on each back paw.

   How many claws in all?

   Zebras may walk 10 miles a day.

   They graze and drink water.

   How far could a zebra walk in five days?

   (in this problem we talked about information that we don't need to solve the problem)

   We also have been reviewing coins and their values. Many students are still struggling with this concept, you may want to practice this at home.
   
   Next week Wednesday, the May Watts staff would like to THANK YOU for all that you do for us. If you have volunteered at school in any capacity during the school year (or will be this year) please come and be appreciated at our Volunteer Tea. The tea will be in the LMC. Homemade goodies and teas of all types will be available. We truly appreciate all that you do for us and know that we would not be the great school that we are without your efforts.