Friday, January 11, 2019
Happy New Year!!! We just finished week 17 in portable 2. It was our first week together for 2019. Here is a bit of what we were up to:
Estimation – We started a weekly estimation challenge this past week. Students were shown a large jar with cottonballs inside and they were asked to estimate how many cottonballs were in the jar. We collected the guesses anonymously and discussed the strategies that were used to make their estimation. We laid the guesses out in order from smallest to greatest and revealed the exact amount after we looked at the estimations. The students enjoyed this challenge and it definitely sparked some interesting math thinking/talk in the classroom. Each week, students will get another jar full of a random objects and they will have to estimate how many are in the jar. This activity will improve their ability to make a reasonable guess and use estimation strategies which is an important part of developing their number sense.
Data Management – Before Christmas, we learned how to display data on a double bar graph. This week, we learned how to display data on a stem and leaf plot. We also explored how to find the mode in a set of data (the value in a set that occurs most often), the median in a set of data (the middlemost number in the set), and what it means to look at the shape of data (e.g., When looking at the different heights of the students in our class, what height range is the most common? Most of the students in our class have a height between 130cm to 139cm.)
Bucket Drumming – We were in the gym each morning this past week to practice and put the finishing touches on our bucket drumming routine. The class is sounding really good. We performed on Friday at primary sharing to get a feel for performing in front of an audience. The students and staff at primary sharing really enjoyed our performance. Next, it’s on to the Waterford High School to participate in the Talent Show. The performance is on Tuesday at 10:30am in the High School gym. We hope you can make it. If not, I will be videotaping the performance and I can share it with you some other time.
Video Analysis – As we practiced our bucket drumming routine each morning, I videotaped it so that the students could see themselves from the audience’s point of view. It allowed them to see if they were meeting the success criteria when it comes to using the tools and techniques of musicianship in our bucket drumming performance (i.e., proper posture, holding the drum sticks properly, keeping with the beat/rhythm, using their right hand and their left hand at the proper times, keeping an eye on the conductor, hitting the drum in the proper spot at the proper time with the right amount of strength, facial expression matches the feeling of the music).
Speech Writing – We started writing our speeches for the Royal Canadian Legion speech contest this past week. Each student will write their speech for homework. I will hand out the weekly homework each Monday and it’s due the following Friday or Monday. Students will be expected to say their speech in front of the classroom in February.
Mrs. Pellazzarri Visits – Mrs. Pellazzarri, our classroom Child and Youth Worker, came to visit us this past Wednesday. During her visit, she continued to talk with us about feelings with a focus on anger (what is it, how do we feel inside when we’re angry, how does it show on the outside when we’re angry). One thing she reviewed with us when it comes to handling our anger is that there are three basic rules to always live by, 1. Never hurt anyone (physically or emotionally). 2. Never damage property. 3. Never hurt yourself (physically or emotionally).
Old Town Hall Art Gallery – On Tuesday, we walked to the Old Town Hall Art Gallery to observe and discuss art by two local artists. One artist was Jennifer Budd who has a studio in Paris, Ontario and the other artist was Kit Julian who has a studio in Simcoe, Ontario. Here are some pictures of our time at the art gallery:
If you have any questions, comments, or concerns please feel free to email me at julie.pragnell@granderie.ca OR call me at school: 519-443-8942.
-Mrs. Julie Pragnell
The Pragnell Press 