Molecules in Motion: Room 149

Counting and Bears!

It's so cold, my run was cut way short! The indoor treadmill will do just fine. Burrrr...

The fire place is blazing, the Food Network is on and the kitties are lounging..  a perfect night to blog. As I think of the upcoming holiday, the beautiful Molecules, my healthy family and a well deserved break around the corner, I never forget how fortunate I am!

In the classroom, we've been working hard creating a special holiday gift that will warm your heart, hopefully for many years to come. This photo shows Alex and Rahmat showing their hands.  This will be your only hint as to your special gift.

In science we're talking about different types of bears and their habitat. We visited the National Zoo web site and found this clip on Tai Shan, click here. (Thank you Alex for teaching us that his name means "tall mountain") Today, we created bears to hang from our stars. On Friday, Molecules are invited to bring in their special stuffed bear for the day.  We'll have fun talking about our bears.  They'll hang out with us during the day.

Click Here for the Tai Shan web cam...  track his every move!

In Math Workshop we're counting, comparing, taking inventory, playing cooperative games.  We are using measuring sticks to compare items in the classroom, talking about longer, shorter or the same. We continue counting by 5's and backwards from 20.

During Modeled writing we starting to write fiction stories from our imagination. Talking about the beginning, middle and end of books has been the focus this week.  Parents are encouraged to do the same with MARS books. By the way, thank you for making sure the MARS books are sent back to the classroom each day.  Most of all thank you for the support you provide each night reading those books and talking about how they may connect to our daily lives. Molecules are celebrated when they remember to turn them into the basket each morning.   

Sharing in the Author's Chair is Vanessa and Haley. Many Molecules are beginning include detail in the writing, they are also showing more courage to write longer ideas without support.

Have a great night!

The Snow is Still Falling!

The snow is still falling, which inspires this blog. I am no longer able to blog from the classroom as the site has been blocked by the district.  High school students have found inappropriate blogs out there, clever kids they are, therefore blocking our blog. Our photo site is also blocked so we can't see the photos from school, but you can from home.  Thanks for sharing with your child all the photos that are posted.  You can still read the blog, but it must be written from home. I usually wrote most in the classroom and finished up at home. I will adjust.

Last week was a great week of learning and fun. We designed and created toys in Investigation Station. Each Molecule created a design brief, gathered supplies and built a toy.  Each toy had minimum requirements and must be able to move. This is one creative group; what creations!

Last week the Molecules of the Week were both Jacks! One shared his trophies and the other his father.  We are really getting to know our friends better. This week we will enjoy hearing from Marcus and Lily.

Sharing in the Author's Chair was Ben, Vanessa, Subha and Haley.  I sure do enjoy the Author's Chair! Everyday, except Wed, 9:45!

We are climbing in PE! Molecules are exploring the rock climbing wall under Ms Hall's instructions.  These brave Molecules are traversing like I've never seen. Click here for more photos.

In Math Workshop we are exploring numbers. We're counting, taking inventory, estimating, and exploring math software.  In science we've been talking about animals, babies and adults, and the four seasons. We just finished a multi-media project that illustrates a tree in all four seasons.  Look for that project to be linked on the web page soon.

The Scholastic Book Fair will be here all week.  We will be browsing on Wednesday and students with money can return to library to make their purchases. This is a popular fund raiser for the school.  I checked it out today; it's a good one! This Wednesday, the Book Fair will be open in the evening from 5-7.

Look for information being sent by our room parents on the Book Exchange Celebration on December 20.  We'll have a small celebration, exchange books and celebrate the upcoming holiday break.

Ms Hawkins leaves us in three weeks, and it's not going to be easy. We've been fortunate having her with us and getting to know her.  We couldn't have been more lucky to find such a caring, loving, hard working, and giving person as Ms. Hawkins.  I've spent time outside the classroom with her and I am lucky to say, she and I are friends.  Thanks for talking to your child about the changes happening after the new year.

Still snowing and actually kind of hard.  Roads are freezing... what does the morning bring?

Have a great night!