Geography
We drew our blob maps on a separate sheet of paper that was folded in half along the equator. Some of the girls drew by simply looking at the map and others chose to trace. Whatever works for them is great. The idea is repetition to the point that the girls will be able to recreate the blob maps from memory and then we will move on to a more detailed form of the map.We found our five map points using skittles as I quizzed them on which location was which color as we went along. They did quite well with this and each girl was able to locate all five locations without trouble by the end of the exercise.
History
We colored a paper combining words and pictures representing the memory work this week as we listened to the CD.Another extension activity that I had planned to do with the class was to use instruments that accompany the memory work on the CD with the girls. For instance, there is a combination of clapping and shakers being used in week 9's song. I was going to split the class half with rhythm stick and half with shakers as we played our instruments to the song. I do this at home with Jordan once she has mastered most of the words in a song. This serves as motivation for her to get most of the wording correct knowing that she will have the reward of playing musical instruments once she has accomplished her goal. She also enjoys the challenge of identifying the sounds of the instruments being used. This is a great way to incorporate two different subjects into one. Sometimes the instruments used have some significance to the history being learned as well so this can serve has an additional extension learning activity.
Latin
We learned the next noun endings using pictures as a phonetic reminder of pronunciation.English
We learned the motions that go along with this video.Math
We practiced the 15s a couple of times both spoken and to the song. Then we danced with scarves as we sang the song a few more times. Love active learning!Science
I set the memory work to The Farmer in the Dell"What are some parts of a Plant?" (x2)
"Some parts of a plant are
leaves, stems, roots".
We repeated this a few times and then added in hand motions. I will provide a video later.
We also had a wonderful puzzle (http://www.amazon.com/Learning-Resources-Sunflower-Floor-Puzzle/dp/B000EGAMSK) provided for us by Jennifer Crawford that we used throughout the day. each time our topic master chose a new subject for us to review e added a piece to the puzzle until our plant was complete. Great multisensory learning activity!
Timeline
We practiced the hand motions that correspond to week 9's cards as seem in this video. I do simplify the number of motions that we use in class. As the teacher, it is up to you how simple or intricate you want to get with your child while working on these. Some kids really use those hand motions to help them remember and some lean more towards the spoken word, recognizing the pictures or the song to aid them. I do love that with this new timeline we are able to incorporate more mnemonic devices to aid retention.Fine Arts
We reviewed all previous weeks materials. The girls are really starting to retain all the note names and values and the line and space names for the staff. We learned about the dotted half note this week. We also clapped out the rhythm to a couple of measures on the staff and then played the rhythm using rhythm sticks and shakers.Next, we learned our right hand position for the tine whistle. This was much more of a struggle for the girls that the left. They not only had to maintain their left hand positioning but had to add in the right. They started to show some promise but in the end we simply practiced playing Mary had a Little Lamb (uses left hand only).
Experiment
We had an awesome time with the experiment this week. This is one of those activities that speaks to me as a teacher and a student. I brought out their nature books that they worked on from their previous outing while studying plants. We added in a new section for animals. This time I provided pictures of several animals or animal related objects that we might find in the environment around the church. We observed most of the things listed and even found extra that they girls added in with their own drawings. We were also outside at the same time as the older boys and girls so this allowed further extension of the activity. The boys were knee deep in the forest turning over large stones and bringing the lesson back to the little girls. I love as the one-room schoolhouse model comes together. We took extra time to not just find animals on a list but to talk about each one and use past lessons to pull into our discussions. I love learning as an active process. Below is the document that I created for the girls to add to their journals. If your child was absent then I stuck the page into their nature journal and it will be waiting for them the next time they are in class.
There are a couple of references to using instruments, scarves, parachutes and puzzles in my last few posts. I do have a couple of these things that I have collected when I find them extremely cheap but I get most of it from a materials lending library that I am a member of in Johnston County (I live in Wake County...residential location in not an issue). It is a part of Partnership for Children of Johnston County. The lending libraries are located in three different areas (on HWY 42, in Benson and in Selma). There is an annual membership of $20 a year good from June to June. I believe in January that you can get the membership for half price. I use this a lot to check out materials for our activities at home and in the classroom. They also provide the cheapest laminating service I have found. This is the link to the Resource Centers http://pfcjc.org/index.php/for-families/resource-centers. If you click on the online catalog there is a database of the materials that they have available.
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