Hello Families,
We have had another eventful week of learning and exploration. This week, we looked at fractions in different ways, experimented with magnets in our introduction to the Motion and Matter unit, and took a trip to the local branch of the Berkeley Public Library!

Fractions can be a very abstract idea. To get a better idea of fractions, we looked at it when represented by pattern blocks, and also on a number line.
Working with pattern blocks, we used a yellow hexagon to represent a whole. To find the halves, we found that the red trapezoids were 1/2 of the hexagon. Three blue rhombuses made up a whole so each rhombus was 1/3 of a whole hexagon. Six green triangles created a hexagon so each triangle was 1/6 of a hexagon.
Given a shape, Temescalians experimented with the shapes and started to notice that the larger the denominator, the fewer pieces there were in all. When trying to figure out if 2/3 >, <, = 1/2, Temescalians used the pattern blocks to help visualize. “2/3 is the same as a 1/2, but with an extra triangle (1/6).”

To support the thinking for building fractions, we introduced the Temescalians to a game: Hexagon Spin and Fill. Click on this link to play an online version with your Temescalian!

We also looked at fractions on a number line. This idea was a bit more abstract for the Temescalians. We did talk about finding 1/2 on the number line. To find the 1/4, it was half way between the 0 and 1/2. Then, we talked about how we might find the 1/8 on the number line. Thinking back to folding paper, we were able to conclude that 1/8 was half way between the 0 and 1/4. We then labeled a number line and talked about the placement of other fractions. We also used double number lines to see if we could eyeball where the halfway point was. We used paperclips to try and gauge where the midpoint of the number line was, and then flipped to see if we were correct. We then filled in the rest of the spaces on the number line.

Today, we used the same number line, but on the blank side, we tried to gauge where the 1/3 and 2/3 positions were. To help us reason, we knew that 1/3 was less than 1/2. We also knew, from our pattern block fraction work, that 2/3 was greater than 1/2 so that helped guide us as we marked the blank number line. We then placed paper clips on the spots that we labeled 1/3 and 2/3, and flipped the paper over to see if we had correctly gauged where the 1/3 and 2/3 were on the number line.

In science, we started a new FOSS unit: Motion and Matter. Our first exploration was with magnets. As scientists, we need to make guesses, record what we thought would happen, and then compare what actually happened with our guesses. In Temescal Creek, we try to emphasize that sometimes you learn more when what actually happened was different from what you thought might happen. Questions are a powerful thing that can guide our learning.
We used magnets in six different stations:

As Temescalians worked through each station, they noticed what happened when the magnets were close to one another. I also challenged them to see what would happen if they flipped a magnet over. What happened? Why did they think that was happening? A favorite station is Station C, where they try to “float” three magnets that are threaded onto a straw/pencil. How come it “floats”? Why doesn’t this work without the straw/pencil threaded through them?

We also invited grownups to join in on the magnetic fun this morning at Family Reading Friday. One Temescalian also brought in “magnetic sand” to add to the exploration and fun. Temescalians also had a rousing game of Apples to Apples, reading with grownups, and creating designs with pattern blocks too!

To gather more information for our local animal research writing, we took a walking trip to the West Branch of the Berkeley Public Library. The new children’s librarian, Lissette, talked about how asking questions helps guide us as we learn about a topic and look for answers. She showed us how to use the Berkeley Public Library online catalog to search for books, as well as how to place a hold and have it sent to your library branch of choice. Temescalians, armed with their new Berkeley Public Library cards checked out their own books, and we made our way back to TBS.

Books that we borrowed about the local animals will stay at school so that we can continue to take notes from them. Their due date is Thursday, May 11. We’ll send home the library books before that due date and you and your Temescalian can decide if you want to return or renew these books. In case you’re not sure which books your Temescalian borrowed, take a peek at this gallery! (Also, if your Temescalian wasn’t able to find any books on our trip to the library on Thursday, they already have 2-4 articles about their research animal.)

We celebrated a Temescalian’s birthday! We loved seeing pictures of our community members as younger people. If you have a chance, come in and look at these pictures that are on the sides of the Supply Shelf!

Coming up next week is our Read-a-thon week! We’ll have reading related activities throughout the week.

Finally, a glimpse of the hummingbird kites that the Temescalians made in art with Julianne last week! (photo credit: Julianne)