Mathematics.
17 - 5 =
If we separate the 17 into tens and ones, we can see that the 7 seven in the ones is bigger than the five.
(10 + 7) - 5 =
We can just subtract the 5 from the 7 and add the ten on!
10 + (7-5) = 10 + 2 = 12!
The tricky part is where the part of the whole number is bigger for the ones! For example:
15 - 7 =
(10 + 5) - 7 =
We can't do 5-7, so we have to subtract the 7 from the 10!
(10 -7) + 5 = 3 + 5 = 8!
Nasty! We had to do a lot of practice of our making tens sums (1 + 9 = 10 for example) as they are key to making this strategy quick and easy. I highly recommend having pop quizzes at home to practice them!
Writing and reading (an overlapping week!)
This also tied into our work with writing as we studied how to use the same key words in our own non fiction texts. Using what they learned from their reading, the students were encouraged to think of some keywords and use them in their own writing (nocturnal and carnivore were two popular ones.) We then practiced how to spell these words without teacher or book assitance. To do this, we used Ms. Allison's sound dot method where we identify the number of syllables in a word, write a dot for each one and solve the word bit by bit. For example, nocturnal has 3 syllables in it.
noc tur nal
. . .
The students then had to use the sounds they knew to sound out each one!
Science.
Cirrus clouds - Are high and thin. They are usually seen in sunny weather.
Cumulus - Are big and fluffy looking. If sprinkled across the sky, they mean fair weather. If they are large and begin to cover the sky it can mean a storm is coming.
Stratus clouds - Low flying clouds that cover the sky. These are the clouds when the wether is overcast.
Nimbus clouds - These are rain clouds. They can be either cumulus or stratus clouds. They are dark and grey.
We have finished up our science for this term but we will be continuing to monitor the clouds, temperature and weather for the rest of the year as part of our morning meetings.