Hola! Senora Gates has Begun Our Spanish Instruction!

Wow, we had a really busy day!  In the computer lab, the students are learning about using Microsoft Power Point.  Today, we reviewed adding and formatting a text box and rectangle.  The students can now add a new text box and format it for color, size, style of font and location on the page.  After today, they can also insert a rectangle, square, circle and oval.  I also showed them how to access auto shapes.  They can format their figures for color, size and position.  They are able to fill the shape with a single color, gradient colors, a pattern or a picture.  Today we practiced layering objects and how to change the position of an object by using the send forward and backward tools.  If you have Power Point at home, I would encourage you to let your child explore some of its possibilities.  It is a great application for writing a report, making a card or doing a book report.  It is user friendly and very adaptable for inserting photos and video.

In the library, the students learned more about Melvil Dewey and his classification system for non-fiction books.  We looked at how the books are organized, the types of books I would find in each category and exactly how understanding the system can help us locate books in any library in the country.  Back in the classroom, we worked on some ABC order skills on the Smart Board to prepare us for using guide words in the dictionary and Thesaurus as well as in an encyclopedia and atlas index.

The students completed a second tower today--without the extensive brainstorming, preparations and writing.  I gave them 12 minutes just to see how they could improve their designs from last week.  The majority of students were able to double and in some cases triple the size of their towers.  They were relaxed and focus as they worked.  Bravo to them!  Today we had an average height of 46.5 inches and our tallest structure was built by Nathir at just over 63 cm!

In the afternoon, the students worked at their individual Exploratory Centers.  We have dental impressions being made, owl pellet dissections, origami figures being folded, illustrations of the Titanic striking the iceberg, original pattern block designs, a "Johny Jump-Up" puppet under construction, a cheetah model being sculpted and more.  Ask your child about their work.

Today was also our first day of Spanish with Senora Gates!  Each of the students selected an optional Spanish name.  We also learned about:

1.     Greetings.  Hola, Buenos días. 

2.     Names- Me llamo…¿Cómo te llamas? Mucho gusto.

3.     Friends-Amigos- Pablo, Livia, Antonio, Rosa

4.     Colors-rojo, azul, blanco, negro, amarillo, verde, anaranjado, rosado, morado, gris, azul cielo, café o marrón.  Game-Levántense- Siéntense

5.     Numbers 1-20 Los números 1 hasta 20

6.     Calendar –El Calendario

Days and Dates-Días y fechas

 

With the additions of several new students, we are looking like a complete class!  The boys and girls are doing a nice job welcoming new classmates and our new students are settling in to our routine and expectations.  Rotation A is a wonderful class of interesting, funny and friendly students!

Have a great week!