Thinking, thinking, thinking! I love to watch them when they are thinking!

We started our day by discussing:

 "Tips and Tricks" for Successful Math Problem Solving

(aka Surviving TOPS Math & Math Rules--

and maybe even learning to enjoy them)

• Begin by reading the problem carefully.
• What is the question being asked?
• What relevant information is provided in the text of the problem?
• Is there unnecessary information to distract you or throw you off?
• Look at the illustration or chart shown with the problem.
• What relevant information is found in the graphics?
• Is there unnecessary information to distract you or throw you off?
• Look back at the question being asked.
• What mathematical operation will you need to use to solve this problem?
• What strategies could you use to solve it?
• What is the most efficient strategy that will get me to an accurate answer?
• Complete the problem.
• Show your work in the space provided and double check your computation.
• Look again at the question being asked and write your answer in a complete sentence.
• Did you start with a capital letter?
• Did you end with proper punctuation?
• Did you answer the question that was asked?
• Did you include the proper label for your answer?

I would also like to encourage all of my 2nd graders to begin working to memorize their basic addition and subtraction facts.  (Try to make this a low stress activity.  --Yes, I know, easier said than done, but I do have some ideas for you if you have trouble working on math facts.)  Memorization of these facts will help your child make mind leaps more quickly as they work on problem solving skills.  

After working in TOPS Math, we went to the library to begin work on our research skills. We discussed how the Briarcliff library is arranged, the difference between fiction and non-fiction books, how to read the call number on the spine of a fictional book, what the letters mean in the call number, how the books are arranged on the shelves and the importance of being sure we put books back in their correct location and order. The students practiced locating a fictional book by its call number.  Then, the practiced shelving books that had been returned to the library.  It is empowering to students to learn to locate books on their own.  Mastery of these skills frees them to select books on topics of interest and locate specific books without having to wait for adult assistance. This is monumental for early readers and for students interested in unusual or "hard to locate" topics and information.  Next week we will focus on how non-fiction books are organized. We will continue to focus on research skills over the next several weeks.
In the afternoon, we completed a creative thinking exercise to work on our flexible thinking, originality and elaboration skills. The students were each given a paper with a partial design repeated four times. (The design is below.) Each repeat of the design was rotated a quarter turn to create a different perspective and new picture possibilities.  They had to use the existing design components and integrate them into their new picture.  Each design had to be used to make a very different picture. I challenged them to see if they could come up with something no one else in their class created and to be as elaborative as possible.  These drawing exercises strengthen the skills (fluency, flexibility, originality and elaboration) that will help the children in their problem solving.

The students also completed two critical thinking exercizes and their first quarter self-evaluation.  I will share it with you at our parent/teacher conferences next week.  Please call or email me if you have not set up a fall conference.  I still have spaces available!
Have a beautiful, warm, fall weekend!

***As the seasons change, please remind your child to watch the weather and bring a warm coat, hat and gloves when necessary.  Our playground sits just high enough to catch the wind and recess can be pretty chilly.  It is hard to adjust to early, "wintery" days!