Picture Problems

This is our second go 'round with picture problems. It is amazing to me that kindergarten students are learning word problems, I don't think that I was introduced to this kind of math work until well into elementary school (which is probably why I struggled with this bit of math!)

Children were asked to sketch how they solved the problem then they were invited to share their thinking and explain how they reached the answer.

The skills involved in doing picture problems include:

* interpreting visual information

* counting quantities to 10

* reading and writing numerals to 10

* exploring basic operations

* learning to represent thinking with pictures and/or numbers

* sharing strategies and solutions with peers

Picture Problem 1

Sketch #1

Sketch #2

Picture Problem 2

One sketch

Picture problem 3

Ethan knows his 'math fact's, and "just knew" that the combination of 3 and 3 makes 6,  or if there are 6 altogether and 3 are shown, then you need 3 more to make six! Wowza!

It is SO interesting to observe how different children think about math, and how they take different avenues to solve these problems!

Math

I have posted several examples of how we practice 'number sense'. All of these sheets involve students filling in missing numbers.  It is important for children to start thinking about place value, number order and sequence, and 'jump counting' which means counting on from a random number.

Filling in numbers between 1 through 50

Jump counting from 61

Exploring with Measurement

This week, the children have really been enjoying using various materials to measure objects around the room. It is a wonderful mathematical experience to measure the same object using different methods of measurement. This week, we have used unifex cubes, Popsicle sticks and paper clips.

This book is 6 paper clips long

Measuring how long Jacob is

Frogs

We have been learning about frogs over the last few weeks. They are such interesting creatures! We have been reading about the life cycle of a frog, what they eat, various habitats, what their defenses are, etc.

Frog Life Cycle

This game reinforces the concept of a frog's life cycle

Cute Frog Puppets

Ribbit, Ribbit!

Fairy Tales

Fairy tales used to be (and actually still are!!!) my favorite genre to read. Fairy tales often feature fairies or characters that have magical properties; goblins; elves; trolls; dwarves; giants; gnomes; and princesses, princes, kings and queens; fictional animals such as dragons, and animals that talk. Magic and enchantment is often incorporated into a fairy tale story. The story line in fairy tales are all virtually the same: there is a problem, which often revolves around a villain, and the problem needs to be solved, usually with the help of some magic.

I grew up watching the Disney channel, but it wasn't until I was older that I realized all fairy tale stories are much much older than Disney. As I got older I heard different versions of fairy tales I grew up enjoying. The best example to use is the story of Cinderella. Cultures all over the world tell the story of Cinderella, where the story line is the same, with similar characters. However, the setting, certain phrases, etc is catered to the particular culture. As a teacher, it is a goal of mine to broaden my students' exposure to fairy tales. Here are several examples of Cinderella around the world:

An Indonesian Cinderella Story

Mexican Cinderella

A Hmong Cinderella

Persian Cinderella

Caribbean Cinderella

A few other fine fairy tail twists, seen below, are Rapunzel, The Three Billy Goats Gruff, and Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Take a look at the differences between these two renditions:

And.......

Baby goats are called "Kids"!! Love it!

And......

The Inuit "Goldilocks", Aloo-ki.

Goldilocks

The traditional Papa Bear

Papa Bear dressed in original Inuit designed clothes. This bear family lives in an igloo!

Over the next few weeks, we will be reading lots of fairy tales (and different versions of most of them). There will be a variety of projects along the way to help children recognize and have fun with characteristics of fairy tales. The unit will culminate with each kindergartner writing their very own fairy tale. I am SO excited for this unit! The children always astound me with their creativity as they create their own fairy tales. Stay tuned....

After reading our first version of Cinderella, I asked the students to complete this worksheet during Writer's Workshop:

Identifying features of a fairy tale

We read a version of The Three Little Pigs this morning.

Then the children drew a picture and wrote about how they would make a sturdy house.

Picture Problems

We created a chart that graphed information. The students came up with several observations about what we could learn from our graph.

Next, the students created their own picture problems (math word problems) for their peers to solve. This was quite a challenge, but once the students got the hang of illustrating their word problem, the took off. Take a look:

There are 4 sharks swimming. 2 sharks are on top. How many are under the rock?

There are 5 whales. 3 are swimming. How many wales are under the rock?

It' Not Spring Until Outdoor Snack

Sunny, breezy, warm Friday afternoons= outdoor snack! HAPPY WEEKEND!

"Dandelion Kiss"

Loving the sunshine

Friends!

Sometimes it's hard to believe that dandelions are weeds--they add so much color!