Hopscotch!

The mathematicians are learning about numbers 0-10 in class this month.  In our study of the number 8 the students learned how to play hopscotch!

We began class by learning about how to play hopscotch in different parts of the world:

Although there are many versions of this game, we played the one from the United States.  A hopscotch board was taped on the floor of our classroom:

The class had a blast!  This student completed the entire game with no mistakes and was allowed to tape her initials in any hopscotch square of her choosing!  Nice work!

We concluded class by making a hopscotch board of our own using 8 blue squares.  On Monday we will write the numbers on each square using proper number formation.  Good work, mathematicians!

Music Patterns

The mathematicians are learning about patterns in math, and today the students created sound patterns using musical instruments.  AB, AABB, and ABC are a sampling of some of the patterns that were created. They had a great time! Take a peek at some of the instruments that were used.

Zero

We have been learning about numbers zero- five in math and the students recently created their own pictures illustrating the number zero- take a peek!

Zero Is the Leaves on the Tree

The mathematicians listened to the following story today, as the learned about the number zero.

Each student then thought of a circumstance when there was zero of an item, and why.  They colored pictures to correspond with their ideas- take a peak!

Tactile Numbers

Last week we practiced writing our numbers in colored-sand! When complete, we took turns within our groups to draw a corresponding number picture. Nice work, mathematicians!

Click on "Fine Motor Ideas" for additional suggestions on how to keep writing fun at home!

Mama Cat Had Three Kittens

On Friday during math I read Mama Cat Has Three Kittens, a story illustrating the numbers 1, 2, and 3.

The students liked the name of the kittens: Fluffy, Skinny, and Boris. Boris was a silly kitten because he slept a lot! After a brief discussion of the story, the students drew the three kittens on a dry erase board,

after which they were labeled with a number 1, 2, and 3. Then the mathematicians practiced proper letter formation on a partner's back utilizing number rhymes taught in Pilot. Watch the below video of a student reciting my favorite rhyme:

"Around a tree, around a tree, that's the way you make a three!"

Lastly the students practiced these numbers on dry erase boards.

Click on the "6th Age Math" side bar to find a listing of these number rhymes for practice at home!

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!

Oink, Oink!

The 6th Age mathematicians finished their piggybanks this week. They are so cute!


In addition, each student was given: 1 quarter, 1 dime, 1 nickel, and 1 penny- these were all coins discussed in class during our money unit. Can you find the total value (in cents) of these coins?

The students were then asked to brainstorm an item they could put their savings towards. Watch the below video to find out!

Inchworm measuring

The mathematicians listened to the story INCH BY INCH by Leo Lionni today. It is about an inchworm who measures the length of many animals to spare from being eaten by them. After the story, the students learned about a measuring tool called the ruler, which can measure the length of objects in inches. Utilizing various classroom items, the students first estimated how long these items were before using a ruler. They then recorded their answers and shared them with the class. Nice job!

Math Scavenger Hunt

The mathematicians went on a scavenger hunt yesterday with Mrs. DeLorbe's 6th Age math class and Ms. Silberstein's 10th Age math class. Below is a copy of the directions.

The students reviewed their knowledge of counting and graphing with help from their 10th Age partners. They were asked to complete as many of the ten questions as possible in 15 minutes, in an order of their choosing. They had so much fun, one student even said, "That was the best math class, ever!"
This is Mrs. DeLorbe explaining the directions.

This is a group about to depart.

Here are the students on their scavenger hunt adventures!



Today we will review our answers in a large group and write thank yous to the 10th Agers. Good job, everyone!

Zero, One, Two, Three, Four, Five

Today we practiced writing our number words zero through five and corresponding numbers zero through five.


We enjoyed drawing pictures to match our numbers!








Afterwards we played number memory utilizing these numbers.


Tomorrow we will meet with Mrs. DeLorbe's math class to go on a school scavenger hunt!

Valentine's Day Graphing

We graphed candy sweethearts in math today. We began by coloring in the large color word hearts on our papers with the appropriate crayons. Then, we labeled each column with a color word: Pink, Orange,Yellow, Green, Blue, or Purple. We sorted our hearts by color by placing them on top of the crayon-colored hearts. We completed the graph by counting the number on heart candies and then coloring in the corresponding number of bars on the graph. Way to go, mathematicians!

Leap Frog

We played Leap Frog in math to reinforce our understanding of the numbers 11-20. The video above documents two students explaining how to play this game. Fun was had by all!

The mathematicians estimate weekly and over the past few weeks we have been sequencing our estimates in order from least to greatest- in line! Without saying a word, these students silently sequenced their estimates in record time- with no errors! Excellent!

A Pair of Socks

What constitutes a pair? What items come in pairs? In our math discussions today we set out to explore and answer these questions.

Today the students listened to the story A PAIR OF SOCKS by Lois Ehlert. In our discussions we formulated that a pair of something occurs (most often) when the items are the same size, shape, color and weight. The mathematicians brainstormed other items that come in pairs: shoes, mittens, arms, legs, eyes, earrings. We sorted items in small groups, and then found pairs amongst them. We ended class by drawing a pair of socks- the designs and colors used had to be exactly the same on both! Take a peak at our hard work.

Groups of friends sorting objects and finding pairs:


The beginnings of our sock designs: