ask me about friday, october 23, 2020

We started our day with an exercise to practice using short term memory.  I asked the children to find three things:  1.  Something blue, 2.  Something that makes them happy, 3.  Something that is soft.  I repeated the directions orally twice, then sent them off to look for the items.  They were so quick!  They found the items needed for the list and quickly brought them back.  We shared what some of them brought back for each one.  We talked about the importance of listening to directions the first time they are given and that as we go on, I will not be repeating directions as often because that is only teaching them that they don't have to listen closely the first time directions are given.  
We read another fable today.  Fables are generally a more difficult genre, but the Benchmark versions of these stories are simplified and very short, so we are able to focus on key events, lessons and characters in the story.  Today we focused on retelling using key events.  I asked the children to go find two little stuffies or little characters to use to retell the story.  We practiced together and tried to really exaggerate our voices to sound like the characters talking, and to tell the story in order.  After we practiced as a group, we went into breakout rooms with a partner and practice with them as well.  The children loved this and are anxious to share the story with you.  Ask me to tell me the story of The Little Helper with my stuffies.  
In math, we worked with the concept of one less.  We also took the sprint that focused on "one more" that we took yesterday.  We worked once again on the sprint routine, then took the sprint.  Most of the children reported an increase in the number of problems they were able to complete.  
We worked hard all week, and were able to take some time at the end of the day to work on self-control, following directions, and drawing a scarecrow.  We read the beautiful book Scarecrow, by Cynthia Rylant, and took several breaks to follow directions to draw a scarecrow.  We got our marker and paper ready, then listened to the story until they were told to draw something on their paper.  We used mostly shapes to draw the scarecrow, but then they had time to decorate the scarecrow as they wished.  
Have a wonderful, relaxing and safe weekend!
​Miss Wolfe