Math and the New Easel

We have a super cool new easel that makes it really fun for the kids to work out math problems. We have been learning that addition and subtraction are related.  I know that 7+3=10, so I know 10-3=7.
Also we can do equations going horizontal:  4+5=9 or
vertical:    5
           +  4
            -----
               9

Beautiful New Rug

Our beautiful new rug arrived. Mr. Levine ordered the same one that was ruined in the flood. We love the alphabet rectangles so everyone can have their own special spot to sit!

We Are Crest View Strong!!!

Today was school spirit day!

Sorting River Rocks

During science the students had a mixture of river rocks and had to figure out how to sort them out using different size screens. Eventually they were able to sort out the sand, gravel and small pebbles. It was a lot of fun to sort it all out, especially because we did it outside on a lovely Fall afternoon.

Daily 5 In Action

The kids are getting really good at their independent literacy program. When they are not in reading group they are practicing becoming better independent readers and writers. Here are a few examples of what they are doing: Read to Self, Read to Someone, Listen to Reading, Work on Writing and Word Work.

Let's Tie Our Own Shoes

I have noticed that several students still don't know how to tie their own  shoes. Here is one way that might work to help them.

How To Tie Your Shoes:

Magic Fingers Style

Step 1

Cross the laces like normal

Step 2

(Right Hand) Put your thumb and first finger in front of lace – fingers facing toward you

(Left Hand) Put your thumb and first finger behind lace – fingers facing away from you

 Step 3

Pull your fingers forwards so you feel some tension and twist a little so that your fingers are facing each other. 

Step 4

Pinch the laces in between the opposite fingers

Step 5

Pull through

Step 6

And you’re done!

- See more at: http://www.efficientlifeskills.com/how-i-taught-my-6-year-old-to-tie-shoes-in-5-minutes/#sthash.jZWxKTwQ.dpuf

Washing Rocks

Today we washed our rocks to see what would happen when they get wet. How would that change the properties? Would we have new properties?

Studying Earth Materials

Today the students explored several different rocks looking for their properties. Our FOSS science kit is called Pebbles, Sand and Silt. There's lots of exploring to be done.

New, New!

Today was an exciting day for all of us. Our room was carpeted last night. We now have nice blue carpet in the whole room. 

Also Mrs. Vance got a new, old desk. Some friends in Steamboat Springs brought down a beautiful antique teacher's desk to give to Mrs. Vance. They knew she was upset because her special old teacher's desk was thrown away after the flood. The new one is beautiful!

We sure are getting lots of new great things around here!

Pajama Stuffy Day

The class earned their first jewel party and chose to have a pajama/stuffy day. It was also our first day of snow for the winter season. We were snuggly inside in our pajamas!

New Bookcase

We received a beautiful gift today. One of the dads from our classroom took it upon himself to make us a new bookcase to replace one that was lost in the flood. Here it is! Look how beautiful it is. This is certainly much nicer than the old one we had. This was an incredible act of generosity!

The classroom Then and now

It was really a mess in there. Now it's a lot better and on its way to being great!

Thank you to Servpro

Our school is really cleaned up now. There are still lots of things different and missing, but it's pretty good!

Math on the Floor

Today we did our math problems with marker on the floor. Since the floors are the bare cement after the flood, I thought it would be fun for the kids to write on them. It felt like breaking the rules, but it wasn't.