Bug Story Problems

First grade mathematicians created bug story problems in class.  We traded math problems and solved each other's mathematical stories.  The pictures were uploaded into storyjumper online and with the help of props, brand new problems were created for you at home.
Challenge yourself.  Don't forget to show your thinking in many ways.  In class, we use a traditional number sentence (5+1=6, for example) and we quickly sketch our thinking, so we can show how we arrived at our answer. Smart mathematicians always justify their thinking!

Here is the link to our new book: http://www.storyjumper.com/book/index/6696232/Bug-Story-Problems

Looking at patterns in number corner

The month of September is almost over and I wanted to share our almost completed September calendar in Number Corner.  As you already know, we always start math with calendar activities in Number Corner.  We explore numbers and operations and patterns.  If you look at this calendar with your child, how many different patterns can you discover?  What are the attributes of those patterns, for example, can you find patterns based upon color or type of bug?

Money Math

First grade mathematicians are learning about money as part of our daily Number Corner routine.  They are practicing the different values of coins and how we write these values in both numbers and symbols.  We even have a money song to help us remember the value of each coin.

Here is a link to this money song (scroll down the list of songs until you see "Money Song")

Geometric explorations in art

This week, 1st grade mathematicians explored geometric patterns and designs in art.  Here is a sample of some of their creations.  As you view these images with your child, ask him/her which creations are symmetrical?  Which designs have more hexagons than trapezoids?  How many more?  Challenge your child to "re-create" a design with other shapes.  Have fun.

Celebrating our good choices...again

Last week, the students filled our buzzy jar again! We celebrated with ice pops.  They tasted extra delicious in the heat!

This week in math

Dear Families,
In math, first grader mathematicians continued to explore geometric patterns through pattern blocks and polydrons.  The students learned about "repeating patterns" and how we can use our language to "justify" our mathematical thinking to prove our mathematical ideas.  Ask your child to define what a repeating pattern is and what attributes make it repeat.  Also ask your child to explain how we use "Private Reasoning Time" in our math classes.  We have talked a lot about the importance of sense-making in math and private, quiet think time allows all of us the opportunities we often need to make sense out of a mathematical problem.  The students are so kind and respectful of each others' thinking.  The love to contribute to the group and share their observations with each other.

Our first math class

First grade mathematicians had their first math class on Thursday.  This is a very special class to us as we get to meet friends from other Harmony classrooms.  On our first day we played a name game to get to know each other better.  We also explored math manipulatives, such as pattern blocks, polydrons and bugs ( not real, but rather made out of plastic!).  Here are some pictures: