Storytelling on the Flannel Board

A literacy centre that has been very busy lately is our flannel board.  We have a collection of pieces that the students use to retell and create original stories.  This is a fantastic opportunity for the students to engage in discussions and the oral language possibilities are endless.

Over the past couple weeks, two of the boys in our class have been repeat visitors to the flannel board.  While working together, they have created many interesting stories and talked about everything from the sun's energy to comparing lengths and sizes.  It is so interesting to just sit back and listen.  Even more exciting was to see the way the boys worked together to create an interconnected story!

Graph It!

Our newest unit in Math is a hit!!  We have been learning about graphing and how to display data.  Today, the students were presented with a pile of classroom supplies.

After trying to make observations from the confusing pile, one student observed:

"Maybe it will be easier if we sort it!"

Some volunteers made short work of that confusing jumble...

Next, the students decided to make a graph of the school supplies.  We used our graphing mat.  Again some eager volunteers got to work...

Everyone was so eager to help, we ended up sorting and graphing many different groups of school supplies.

After each graph was completed, the students discussed what they saw and interpreted the information on the graph.  Here are some ideas they shared:

• "There are more pencils than glue sticks."
• "There are more markers than anything else!"
• "The glue sticks have the smallest number."
• "We have more scissors than pencils."
• "The makers win!  Look how high they go!"
• "There are two more pencils than glue sticks."

The students wanted to do even more graphing.  We changed gears, and decided to gather information from each other to complete two different graphs.  First, the students surveyed each other and recorded if their friends had less than 5 letters, 5 letters or more than 5 letters in their name.  Next, they chose three colours and surveyed their classmates to see which of the three colours was liked the most, and the least.


It was so exciting to see and hear the students so excited about Math!  The room was abuzz!  Take a peek at mathematical investigation in process...

Before, during and after the graphs were constructed, the students were engaged in meaningful, mathematical dialogue.  While working together and talking to each other, the students were clarifying their understanding, helping each other and connecting personally to the mathematical concept of graphing.

Ask your child to share some their results with you. Perhaps you could ask them to show you how to sort and create a graph of various household objects.  Encourage your child to record and discuss the results with you (we would love to see them too).  Happy graphing!

Hands-On Addition

Before the holiday break, we began exploring addition.  To help students better understand how numbers combine and grow, they worked at various math centres.  Instead of completing worksheets or drills, they worked with a partner to use various materials and explore addition hands-on. 

You may have some or all of these materials in your home.  If not, most are available at a dollar store.  Why not try one of these activities with your child today?

Domino Addition

Students took turns choosing a domino.  They drew the dots, and then worked together to create the addition sentence, and solve it.  

(Materials:  dominoes, paper and pencil to record results)

Roll the Dice

Students worked with a partner and a pair of dice.  Each partner rolled one die.  They recorded and solved  the addition sentences that they rolled. 

(Materials:  pair of dice, paper and pencil to record results)

Spinner Addition

Working with a partner, one student picked a number card - this was the first number (addend) in their addition sentence.  The other student used a simple spinner to spin for the second number (addend) of their number sentence.  They worked together to create and solve their addition sentence.  

(Materials:  simple spinner - on a piece of paper, draw four sections, put one number in each section, use a paper clip as the spinner, a pencil holds it in place)

Students Making Connections

Our day is full of various learning activities.  The main goal is to get students talking, interacting, discussing and exploring.  When given the chance to create and explore, it is amazing to see what learning takes place.  An exciting learning moment happened today during Literacy Centres.  


A small group of students were using play dough to create letters, names and words (this is one our favourite Literacy Centres right now).  The students at the centre were creating words, talking about what words they had created, and what they would work on next.  This conversation evolved into a discussion about the other languages the children speak at home.  Before we knew it, students were creating words in English, and in the various other languages they speak.  The students were comparing the symbols/characters they were using and what they each meant.  What a powerful learning opportunity presented itself!  These students truly connected and learned with each other and from each other.  

Cooperative Learning

The students will have many opportunities to work together in group settings this year.  This allows students the opportunity to learn from each other and with each other.  Working in groups allows students to work towards a common goal, and also allows students to improve upon their social skills.  Cooperation, leadership, decision-making and communication skills are just a few of the different skills that are developed during cooperative learning activities.

On Friday, the students worked in groups during Language Arts.   Each group used various newspaper fliers during a classification activity.  It was interesting to watch the group dynamics and listen in while the students worked together.  During this activity students were discussing their ideas, clarifying their point of view, sharing their ideas, and even worked together to label each object.  Take a peek...