Mathematics.
In maths this week we started our unit on numbers up to 20. We looked at numbers from 10 - 20 in particular and the students learned both the numeral and written versions of the numbers. We focussed on ordering and place value for the beginning of this unit. The students have also begun to break numbers up into ‘tens’ and ‘ones’ by using place value charts. This work will help the students in the coming units in addition and subtraction as they will break the numbers into their place value and add them separately (the substitution method.)
Writing.
It was a bit confused this week in writing. We started our unit on persuasive writing for the term only to learn that we will have to postpone it to prepare for the poetry slam at the end of the month! We managed to start work on our next piece however and the students have planned and drafted their persuasive text on, ‘ _______ are the best pets.’ We have had a lot of different opinions on which animal makes the best pet. The students have been working on their reasoning and debating skills in this unit and we particularly looked at the difference between an opinion and a fact. We will be resuming this unit after the poetry slam in February and the students have got the bones of a great piece of work so far.
Reading.
Our unit in reading this month is one close to my heart. We are looking at using characterisation to deepen our understanding of texts. The students have been looking at techniques they can use to help bring the characters in the books to life. This week we looked at using picture, text and punctuation to influence our voices when characters are talking. We also touched upon, ‘Reader’s theatre’ where students perform a read aloud of a story. This unit is fantastic for letting the students engage in dramatising the characters in the books and I have curated a selection of texts that are tailor made for theatre. For this week we have been working with the books of Mo Willems, his ‘Elephant and Piggie’ books specifically. I would highly recommend these books to all students who have an interest in Drama!
We finished our work in Sound and Light from last term this week. We looked at how shadows are made (the absence of light) and the students participated in challenges to see how they could manipulate shadows. Some examples were:
- Hide your shadow.
- Make a shadow circle around an object
- Make your shadow jump without it touching the ground (a tricky one!)
There was no time for our prize draw this week, so we will be having our draw on Monday!