Suder EC 101: September 2019

Hello families,

This year, I decided to present and discuss "Math Talks" to our whole group. I usually do some math activities during group time or as transitional activities with the whole class. I save the "Math Talks" during Kindergarten time. I wanted to try something different this year. I was part of Erikson Institute's Early Math Collaborative PD's for 2 years. I have been wanting to figure out a way to schedule "Math Talks" for the whole group. I am doing it this year with "Math Monday"! It has been so exciting to see all of our students grasp the lessons and concepts. We have been learning about sets and attributes the past weeks. I am blown away with the children's ability to find different attributes using the collections I presented to them! My favorite "follow the child" moment last week happened with Nicholas. He choose a table work, a basket full of real stones meant to practice grasping. He decided on his own to put it on his rug and started making his own sets. Another child came to me and reported that Nicholas was misusing the work that is meant for the table. I told the child to look closely to what he was doing... She soon realized that Nicholas was making sets! Amazing!!!

We are off to a strong start of the year. I am really trying to go back to my Montessori roots. I am consciously trying to remember to reflect on the children's behaviors and how I affect (or maybe cause) them. The children are capable of so much, that we as adults forget to credit them with. I am reminded of this Montessori quote, "Respect all the reasonable forms of activity which the child engages and try to understand them." As a teacher, it is almost automatic for me to ask myself, "What did I do for my student to act like this?" or "What did I miss to prepare in the environment to produce this behavior from my student?" As a parent, I forget this a lot. *I just wanted to share that last piece with you all. =)

Back to making sets! For the next few weeks, we are going to work on Numerosity. It's the idea that numbers are not only for counting. Numbers can also be an attribute. We are going to make sets of numbers represented in different ways. (ex. The set of three can include: 3 dots, the numeral 3, the number name, "three" and 3 cubes, etc.) So exciting! I'll let you know how it goes.

Here's a link on Number Sense and how you can help your child at home.

Last thing I want to share this week is our classroom celebration of the International Day of Peace. We have been discussing about ourselves and how we can be a good citizen (at school and beyond). Please enjoy this video.

See you at school!

Caleb is surrounded by his peers while working on the Intro Tray (to the Decimal System).

Chloe concentrated on her art work.

Lea and Ariana made words with the Moveable Alphabet.

Oliver and Falcon observed a new bud growing from the plant.

RJ and Ethan played I Spy.

Estela practiced quiet in the Peace Corner.

Sofia did the 9 Layout (decimal system).

"They are fighting the fire." -Avery

Alexander matched world landmarks (object-picture matching).

Socialization while working.

Falcon observed Sandy.

Chloe practiced her scissor skills.

Toby practiced squeezing a sponge using our water transfer work.

Ariana was proud of her creation!

Haylie and Lea played fetch with the Intro Tray.

Estela and the Number Rings.

Alexander and his concentration.

Madison and Olivia labeled body parts using our Parts of the Body work.

Sandy came out to play during gathering time!

Avery showed off his "pinch of me" page during Reader's Workshop.

Partner sharing of their "pinch of me" page.

Guided Writing after our Guided Reading session.

I read a Filipino book of verbs while we wait for dismissal. (Takbo means to run. The children did very well using the pictures to give them clues as to what the word meant.)