Mrs. Armstrong's Reading Class Skypes South Korea!!

On Wednesday morning my reading class and I Skyped South Korea! My brother-in-law, Derek, travels for work frequently and we often Skype him while abroad. Last week the students grew familiar with proper Skype etiquette by first Skyping Mrs. DeLorbe's class next door. They learned to look in the camera when asking a question and to speak clearly, as the connection can be slow at times.

Later on in the week, the readers prepared questions for Derek and practiced a greeting, such as, "Hello, Derek! My name is ___. My question is ___."

The students learned that when it is 9:00am in Maryland, it is 10:00pm in South Korea- that's a 13 hour time difference! 

The students enjoyed talking with Derek, and look forward to Skyping a first grade class in Switzerland on Friday. Nice job, readers!

5th Grade Partnership

Mrs. Liotta's 5th Grade boys joined 6D on Wednesday afternoon for our first get-together of the year! As September is nearing an end, the 6th Age students are working to organize and select papers to save in their journals. The 5th Graders assisted 6D during this process by looking through the papers together and then completing a "Journal Summary" which documents the papers that were chosen and why.

A 5th Grader assisting a 6D student with her journal selections and journal summary

Afterwards the new friends spent quality time together. Thank you Mrs. Liotta and the 5th Graders- we look forward to seeing you again soon!

The Great Outdoors

As the weather has changed from summer into fall...

...please don't forget to send your child into school with the proper outdoor attire! Raincoats, umbrellas, and even wellies are welcome! (P.S. How cute is this picture?) (P.P.S. The purple coat used for this post was on loan for this photo.)

Float or Sink?

The mathematicians utilized their sorting skills on Monday by experimenting with objects that float and sink. The students were placed in groups where they collaborated together to place these objects in water, and later record the results. Nice work!

A student carefully records her results.

Students were encouraged to write down the name of the object and draw a corresponding picture.

Students learned that sponges and pencil grips float!

9th Age Collaboration

The 6D students met the 9A girls last week in their 9th Age classroom. The students were introduced and then paired together.  6D had fun learning about their new friends and getting a tour of their classroom!  We will spend more time together this year- thank you to our new friends for hosting us!

More and Less

One of the final topics discussed in Chapter 1 of the math textbook, Compare and Sort Objects, was the concept of more and less.  After introduction and review in class, the students in Mrs. DeLorbe's and my math classes joined forces to play a fun game in pairs.  The students were given:

• a "more" card
• a "less" card
• a "more/less" spinner
• 1 set of 10 connecting cubes per person

The concept of the game is to be the first to gain their partner's connecting cubes.  To begin, a student breaks apart their set of 10 cubes into different pieces.  A student could break apart their cubes into sets of 1, a set of 1 and sets of 2, etc.- the possibilites are endless!  The pair of students then chooses 1 set  of each of their connecting cubes and matches them against one another.  Which is more? Which is less?  No cubes can be equal in this game.  Upon deciding who has more and less, they place their cubes on either the "more" or "less" card.  A student then spins the "more/less" spinner.  If the spinner lands on "more", the student whose cubes are on the "more" card takes ALL of the cubes.  If the spinner lands on "less", the student whose cubes are on the "less" card takes ALL of the cubes.  Watch the below video for two students in action playing this game!

Mathematicians playing the "More and Less" Game

Learning About Maps

6D has been learning about maps in geography. We discussed that a map is a representaion of a region of the earth. It is also a tool that describes the setting of an environment.

We looked for roads, water, and park-like areas on maps together.

In class earlier this week, the students were placed in groups where they located such areas on different maps. They then searched for the map key. A map key is a listing of symbols that tells what each symbol stands for. Some symbols we found on map keys included P for Parking, a fork and knife on top of a dinner plate which represented restaurants, and even a star that stood for a state capital. Nice teamwork, 6D!

Fine Motor Activity

A 6D student has been working hard to strengthen his hand muscles at home in preparation for lots of writing this year, and shared this wonderful activity with the class! Notice how, with his eyes opened, he uses each thumb to touch the other fingers on his hands, then later closes his eyes to try the same thing.  Thank you for sharing!

The First Week of Sharing, continued.

Here are some additional 6D students with their favorite books- our first sharing item of the year!

Color Word Memory

We reviewed color words today in reading class by listening to the story BROWN BEAR, BROWN BEAR, WHAT DO YOU SEE? by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle. I read the story once, and then the students read it back to me- without any prompting! This is a great beginning reader because of the wonderful picture clues and repetition. Following the story, the students played "Color Word Memory". The following video, narrated by two students, details how to play the game.

Our First Week of Sharing!

6D students are celebrating their first week of sharing by bringing in their favorite book. During sharing time throughout the year, students sit in Mrs. Armstrong's rocking chair and are allowed to wear a special crown.  They should share three facts about their sharing item, and then choose two questions from the audience.  We discussed good questions to ask prior to sharing time, some of which were written on large sentence strips.  When called upon to ask a question by the sharing friend, the student can either think of their own question, or defer to the "magic hat" where they choose a sentence strip question. 

Good job to my students who began sharing this Monday- I am proud of you!

Family Trees

The 6D students began sponge painting family apple trees this week to coincide with our "All About Me" unit during this month of September. Tomorrow I will read the students a wonderful book about families

before we add the apples in paint tomorrow.

While working, the students learned that sponge painting is a fine motor activity because you have to dab the paint from the sponge onto the paper in a repetitive rhythm, as opposed to that of moving a paintbrush across a page. I'm looking forward to seeing the finished trees soon!

Chopstick Fine Motor

On Friday afternoon the 6D students used chopsticks and tiny bear counters during their first fine motor activity.  The class learned that fine motor is a block of time in their schedules when they will be strengthening the muscles in their hands. 

The goal of the activity was to use the chopsticks provided (either with one or both hands) to pick up the tiny bear counters and then place them in a green cup provided.  They were not allowed to use their fingers to pick up the bear counters.  I sped up the version of this video- watch how efficient this student is at using chopsticks! I was quite impressed!

Purple Friday!

On Friday Calvert students wore purple and black in honor of the Ravens first game this weekend. 6D festively celebrated by posing with their class

and the entire grade,

before ending recess with a Ravens' cheer, led by Miss Clark, on the playground. (It went something like this: "Give me an R (R!); Give me an A (A!); Give me a V (V!); Give me an E (E!); Give me an N (N!); Give me an S (S!); What does that spell? (RAVENS!) GO RAVENS!)"

Afterwards, the students continued the celebration with cookies at snacktime.

GO RAVENS!

Mystery Messenger

This week the 6D and 6E students received a mysterious note in Mrs. Armstrong's mailbox from someone called the "Mystery Messenger".



The note encouraged the students to use the clue provided, and those found throughout the school, to visit different classrooms and meet new teachers.



It was exciting watching the students' comfort level increase as we toured new areas of the building.



The final clue led us out on the playground- just in time for recess!

Bravo to my students! I'm sure we will hear more from the Mystery Messenger as the year continues.

'Twas the Night Before Sixth Age

'Twas the night before 6th Age, when all through the town,

Mrs. Armstrong's students could be found sleeping sound.

6D was organized by their teacher with care,

In preparation for the fourteen who would soon be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

while visions of Calvert danced in their heads.

When sunlight crept in through their windows that morn,
The students' lives as Sixth-Agers at Calvert were born.

This day was filled with crayons, nametags, and time spent outdoors,
Meeting new teachers, going on a school tour.





The day that followed was equally as fine,
as the students practiced their manners and walked in straight lines.



A Birthday For Bear was read to one and to each
to which we later celebrated with a cupcake feast!


At the end of this week, upon saying farewell-
before the final dismissal bell-

The 6's all left with a red balloon,
As their teachers said, "See you soon!"

I am so excited for a wonderful year,
Filled with celebrations and lots of cheer.

6D: I can already tell this is going to be
An unforgettable 2011-2012 journey!

Congratulations to my new students on a wonderful first week together!
xoxo
Mrs. Armstrong