This week we continued exploring the algorithm to find the difference between two numbers. While using the algorithm can be efficient for one individual, we had conversations to assure the Temescalians that as long as you are comfortable with a strategy (number line, breaking up the number, number trees, constant difference), stick with it. We want to expose the Temescalians to different ways so that they can decide how best to solve the problem efficiently.
When explaining how to use the algorithm to solve subtraction problems, we had the Temescalians write down these tips:
– Always start with the ones column and go from right to left.
– When there’s more on the floor,
Go next door and borrow 10 more!
We used base blocks to illustrate what was happening when we use the algorithm to subtract. We have to emphasize that when you use the algorithm, you need to look at the bottom number. If it is greater, as in this case, you need to “go next door and borrow 10 more.”
We started touch typing this week! We’ll be doing a touch typing intensive, where we teach them the home keys and practice using Typing Club to accurately type and familiarize themselves with finger placement on the keyboard. We are yet to share the link to the school account that we are using for Typing Club. We will share the link after this two week intensive and we may start assigning lessons for homework after this coming week. In the interim, you are welcome to create a free Typing Club account, however, it is paramount that you watch your Temescalian to monitor their finger placement on the keyboard because while the program can track typing speed and accuracy, it cannot sense which fingers are being used to press on the keys. This is where adult supervision comes in. We check each Temescalian before they can move on to the next lesson. It is best to build good typing habits now rather than dealing with improper typing onward.
Trying to give the Temescalians a taste of using natural resources to create a structure, we went into Strawberry Creek Park to gather materials. The challenge is to think about how where we live affects how we live. Temescalians had a new respect for those who try to build structures out of natural materials. “This was hard.” “I thought it would turn out a certain way, but it came out differently.” “If you build closer to the ground, it’s more sturdy.” Going through the process of creating, trial, and error is one of the ways that we develop as engineers and learn.
As we learn about climates and ecosystems in science, we will revisit these structures and see how people would fare in different climates, using the structures that the Temescalians created using resources from Strawberry Creek Park.
We want to support efforts of groups in our school to help the community and environment.
– The 1st/2nd grade classes have been collecting wrappers for terracycle. They have stopped the general wrapper collection, but are still collecting pouches by the GoGo brand.
– Ashoka Jr. is a club led by Ashoka members from the middle school. The focus this year is to help those who are homeless. One way is to collect cans and bottles to recycle for cash and use this money for the Sea Breeze encampment. If you have any soda cans or bottles to recycle, send them in to class! Ashoka Jr. kids are in the process of spray painting old paper recycling bins gray so keep an eye out for them to deposit your bottles and soda cans in directly!
To remind Temescalians of body bubble and the need for consent, we talked about what consent is, what it pertains to, how to signify yes and no. We emphasized that unless it’s a yes, that means that it’s a no. Also, you can always change your mind from a yes to a no.
We celebrated a half-birthday!
Some other views from the week include building, Family Reading, learning about climates of North America, sorting 3rd/4th/5th graders into different houses, and revisiting Fred Korematsu:
Finally, we have a field trip tomorrow. We’ll be taking AC Transit to see Kodo at Zellerbach Hall on the Cal Campus. Please send your Temescalian dressed for the weather as it is projected to rain when we’ll be traveling. Also, please send everyone with a packed lunch because we may not come back in time for the hot lunch service.
Upcoming Events:
4 – Field Trip to Zellerbach Hall to see Kodo
7 – Art Show opening (6:00 – 8:00pm)
11 – Friendship Week (more details to come!)
13 – 1,000s Projects Due
14 – Valentine’s Day (no candy, make a Valentine for the whole class or none at all)
15 – Family Reading (we’ll have the 1,000s Projects out to a gallery walk)
18 to 22 – February Break
25 – School resumes
