Pumpkin Investigations

Wednesday was a day full of pumpkins.  We began by reading the following story:

The students worked in groups of 3 or 4 to first make observations of their pumpkin through their senses.

Next, they measured their pumpkin in various ways using both non. standard and standard measurement.

Lastly, they estimated how many seeds would be in their pumpkin, made a plan for carving, 

scooped out the pulp...

and made it into a jack-o-lantern. 

After seeing how many seeds came out of just one pumpkin, we decided to count what came out of only one.  Everyone helped to make groups of ten, circled the piles...

and our total was 591!!

Investigating numerical patterns is a big part of the math curriculum.  Skip counting is included and counting by 10s plays a big role in the understanding of "ten-ness".  'Ten' is, of course, the building block of our base 10 numeration system.

While or Cross Country Team was at the district meet, we adopted some students from other classes and decided to have our own challenge.  I showed the students a paper chain of 10 which they used as a referent to make an estimate for how many paper chains 17 children could make in 25 minutes.  As I posed the challenge, I heard many estimates and discussions amongst the students.  They wrote down their estimate on a sticky note.

I then put on the timer and they got to work making chains of 10 in either orange or black which were then stapled together as they were completed.

The excitement was high, along with the noise in the Open Area!!

The paper chain train stretched all the way from Division 1 to the office. 

The final count...any guesses??

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470!!!

9 Things Every Parent with an Anxious Child Should Try

As a parent of a child with anxiety myself, I understand the challenges that are involved.  I found this article that was sent to me.   It was helpful and I thought it may be for other parents as well. 

http://www.gozen.com/9-things-every-parent-with-an-anxious-child-should-try/?inf_contact_key=5518694244bbab042600e78e33ccda00e798ea500076bf37c299e61ffefc6c49

Getting Nosey about C.F.

A student in Division 1 has C.F. and shared a video with the class.  We talked about everyone being different and needing special things to keep them healthy.  The students then recorded some facts about C.F. in their Learning Logs.  

Have a look at the video.   It's super cute!