STEAM!

This year, Ison Springs has adopted a new charter system focusing on STEAM (Science Technology Engineering Arts and Math).  In the hopes of a successful integration, our schedules have been shifted so we now have one day with an "Enrichment" block (Thursdays).  This week, some of the 3rd Grade classes had a blast with our first Brown Paper Bag Challenge - The Marshmallow Tower!  They had 20 minutes to try to build the tallest tower using only the supplies given.  It was very exciting to see how well they worked together and how creative they were concocting their towers!  Enjoy the pictures below :)

Virtual Field Trip!!

Thanks to Ms. Baker, the 1st grade will have an incredible opportunity of experiencing a Virtual Field Trip! This is not only the 1st virtual field trip in the school, but also in the county! There will be many people visiting from the county to observe this "excursion." I sent home a notice last week informing you of the time (May 8th, 12pm), as well as the option of helping to assist in the activity. If you are interested, please let me know :)

This virtual field trip consists of uisng the internet to speak with a representative in a different state from a butterfly exhibit - we will be able to talk with this person, ask questions, etc as he/she presents to us. After the lesson, all the students will participate in a hands on activity!

We are really excited about this first time opportunity - please join me in thanking Ms. Baker for making it possible!

Money in Math!

We'll be beginning our next unit in Math learning about money! Please take advantage of any real life experiences discussing money with your child - while you are getting gas, buying dinner, getting a snack - discuss what coins and dollars are needed and different ways to make those combinations! Here are some helpful websites to practice at home:

National Library of Virtual Manipulatives: The National Library of Virtual Manipulatives (NLVM) is an NSF supported project that began in 1999 to develop a library of uniquely interactive, web-based virtual manipulatives or concept tutorials, mostly in the form of Java applets, for mathematics instruction (K-12 emphasis). http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/vlibrary.html

Toon University: This game gives students a quantity of money and asks them to place coins into a counter to make that amount. The counter shows how much money it holds, which allows students to self-check and edit the amount until they have it correct. http://www.toonuniversity.com/flash.asp?err=569&engine=

Quia: This coin matching game gives coin combinations and coin quantities, which students have to match in a memory-type game. The game can be used for challenging advanced students once counting coins has been mastered. http://www.quia.com/mc/4918.html

Play to Learn: This website was created by a graphic design company, and provides online games that cover a wide range of academic content. The money game gives students a picture of three to five coins and asks them to count the coins and enter the amount. Students can receive hints if they need them and also check their answers when they finish. http://www.playtolearn.com/countmoney/count_money_main.asp

CRCT practice!

The CRCT is quickly approaching! I have sent home a website (www.georgiaoas.org) with different review tests I have created and a login/password for each student. Please let me know if you need me to send your child's ID again. Also, for extra practice, the homework will focus on CRCT skills to help your child further prepare.
Any extra practice you can have your child do, will greatly help his/her performance. Here are some great websites with practice activities you may do -

http://harmonyleland.typepad.com/salley/2009/03/crct-review-powerpoints.html - CRCT powerpoint reviews!!

http://www.greatschools.net/cgi-bin/showarticle/151?cpn=mfmw - English version of test prep

http://www.greatschools.net/cgi-bin/showarticle/180/ -Spanish version of test prep

http://www.greatschools.net/cgi-bin/showarticle/180/ - This article gives information about the CRCT. How its graded,what it means for each child and many other things too.

http://www.greatschools.net/cgi-bin/showarticle/68/?cpn=mfmw - This article talks about what test scores really mean. About our kids and more importantly about our school and how we're doing as teachers.

http://www.greatschools.net/cgi-bin/showarticle/CA/179/ - this is the link for the same one in Spanish

Lots of learning!!!

MATH:
We are continuing our math unit on 2 digit addition and subtraction problems up to 24. Please continue to practice basic addition/subtraction facts, adding/subtracting 10’s&1’s, and skip counting with your children daily.
READING: We are discussing compound words, words ending in -ed/-ing, and will soon begin contractions. Also, we are working on different phonics skills each week to go along with stories we are reading. This past week we worked on the long vowel y sound says /i/, and next week will be the long o sound (spelled o “magic” e). Please help your child become a stronger student in every subject by reading together each night – it really does have a huge impact!
SCIENCE/S.S.: We are finishing up shadows and light and will begin discussing weather patterns, while in Social Studies we will begin Harriet Tubman.

Helpful websites:

Math - Telling TIME review!
http://www.oswego.org/ocsd-web/games/StopTheClock/sthec1.html

READING - inflectional ending games (-s, -ed, or -ing)
http://www.quia.com/pop/112244.html?AP_rand=1249060315

Classroom Happenings

We have been learning a lot this year in first grade! Please continue to help your child be successfull by helping with homework and reading every night!
This week we are studying the long vowel sound for the letter "i." We have talked about the "Magic E" and how it jumps up to make the other vowel say its name :) If you would like helpful websites to help your child read, www.starfall.com is an excellent resource.

In Math, we are just finishing Unit 7, where we learned how to add and subtract to 18. Beginning with Unit 8, we will begin learning 2 digit addition and subtraction. Please look at the Parent Letter that was sent home today for a reference.
Below are some helpful sites to help reinforce Math concepts taught in school:

National Library of Virtual Manipulatives: The National Library of Virtual Manipulatives (NLVM) is an NSF supported project that began in 1999 to develop a library of uniquely interactive, web-based virtual manipulatives or concept tutorials, mostly in the form of Java applets, for mathematics instruction (K-12 emphasis). http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/vlibrary.html
Addition Matho: Using a timer, students add 2-digit numbers to get a “Matho.” http://www.aplusmath.com/games/matho/AddMatho.html
Rain Forest Math: Children look at groups of tens and ones to determine the number of objects. http://www.rainforestmaths.com/

I hope this helps you help your child be as successful as possible!
Please let me know if you have any questions/concerns.

1st Grade!

Welcome to Ms. McMahon's classroom blog! I will be posting important information concerning our class, as well as information we are studying. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.
Thanks!
Ms. McMahon