Measuring Metrically

"Come on boys and girls put your snow gear on...
 we're going outside for an exciting math lesson."

The recent blizzard gave us the perfect opportunity to collect data and use our knowledge of metric measurements. The children worked with a partner to predict the height of a snowbank which measured exactly one meter, another at less than one meter and finally a third at greater than one meter. After each prediction the children used their meter sticks to accurately measure the snow height and then recorded the data for further discussion in class.

Natalie and Mia work hard to record their data; less than one meter.

Ramsay & Megan's prediction was perfection; exactly one meter!

Erin & Bea locate a snowbank that is greater than one meter.

Once inside our warm classroom we recorded our data and were sure to draw a detailed drawing so we could go outside and double check our results.

Common Core Standards Addressed:

2.MD.A.1: Measure and estimate lengths in standard units. Measure the length of an object by selecting and using appropriate tools such as rulers, yardsticks, meter sticks, and measuring tapes. 

 2.MD. A.3: Measure and estimate lengths in standard units. Estimate lengths using units of inches, feet, centimeters, and meters. 

2.MD.A.4:Measure and estimate lengths in standard units. Measure to determine how much longer one object is than another, expressing the length difference in terms of a standard length unit.

Measuring Our Heights Metrically

The children used meter sticks to estimate the height and arm span of their fellow students.  They estimated that all of the children's heights were at least one meter, or 100 centimeters high, but less than two meters or 200 centimeters high. Then we got to work and measured ...and measured...and...

Bea works hard to measure Alex's height..."got it Mrs. Madden it's 134 cm!"

Once we completed our data collection we used the information to make comparisons.  The students recorded the data in their math journals and made several observations based on the data we collected from our sample. We realized that Bea, Natalie and Alex are all 134 centimeters tall, and that the difference between two students' heights was 20 centimeters.  Here's our thinking...

144 cm - 124 cm = 20 cm

Who knew math could be so much fun!

Colin and Cole proudly display their metric measurements!

Welcome to Our Classroom Ms. Ricard

As you can see the children and I are very excited to welcome Ms. Ricard, a student teacher from Endicott College to our classroom.  Ms. Ricard will be working in our classroom full time through early May and on her first day has already read with the children, acted as a writing coach and assisted the children with their math and science work.  I am thrilled to have such an enthusiastic, flexible and competent educator!  More news to come in the days ahead....

Welcome to our classroom, Ms. Ricard! 

Fables and Folktales

Essential Questions:  
Can you distinguish the differences & similarities between a fable and a folktale?   Can you make comparisons between different versions of the same fable/folktale? Can you determine the moral or lesson in a fable or folktale? YES WE CAN!!

Natalie and Alex determined that Stone Soup is a folktale and not a fable for two important reasons: the moral was not implicitly stated and there was repetition throughout the story.

The Lion and the Mouse and The Tortoise and the Hare are two of our favorite fables!

The children have made solid comparisons between different versions of the same fable, Jerry Pinkney's versions of these fables are nearly wordless, but actually convey so much through his illustrations.

I tried to fool your children into thinking Stone Soup was a fable, but they proved me wrong!  

Working in teams the children gathered evidence to prove whether Stone Soup was a fable or folktale.  Look at the evidence they found to support their thinking!

Common Core Standards Addressed:

RL. 2.2 Recount stories, including fables and folktales from diverse cultures, and determine their central message, lesson, or moral.
RL. 2.7 Use information gained from the illustrations and words in a print or digital text to demonstrate understanding of its characters, setting, or plot.
RL. 2.9 Compare and contrast two or more versions of the same story (e.g., Cinderella stories) by different authors or from different cultures.

Snow Days

Hi boys and girls,
    W-O-W...can you believe how much snow has fallen in just a few days? I guess our "snow dance"  really worked after all. I hope you are all safe and enjoying these two snow days with your families.  I've been shoveling lots of fluffy snow, but I have to admit I've enjoyed being outside in the fresh air.  My favorite activity was when I went cross country skiing in my backyard.  The snow was deep and  light so it was a bit tricky. Today the sun is shining and it was thrilling to be outside, I was especially  surprised when I saw deer, rabbit and fox tracks along the trails.  I wonder how difficult it must be  for the animals to survive in such a strong blizzard?  I look forward to our next science lesson when  we can discuss animal adaptations, particularly about the animals that live all around us.

   Here are a few photos from my backyard. Please write back to me and tell me what snow activities you've been doing these last few days.  Maybe you could measure how much snow is in your backyard and include it in your letter. Just click on the comment block below and tell me all about your snow adventures. :)

Love and miss you!
Mrs. Madden

Nearly 3 feet or almost 1 meter of snow has fallen in my backyard!

Be sure to wear your snow gear this week, because we will be estimating and measuring the snowfall using our meter sticks. What a perfect way for us to learn about the metric system!

Here I go... I'm ready for cross country skiing in the woods.

Thank goodness the temperature was so cold so the snowfall was light and fluffy...which made it so much easier to shovel.

Can you find the Adirondack chairs?  I bet "white crayon" would be very tired!

There are rabbits that live in the pine trees behind our shed.  I hope they've burrowed down deep and are warm and toasty.  I hope to see fresh rabbit tracks in the snow soon!