We did lots of pumpkin math today! After editing our morning message for the "sh" chunk, we estimated and measured the circumference of our pumpkins. We started our new literacy centers, hunting for "sh" words and making words that rhyme with the -am family. In phys ed we had a lot of fun playing a 4-net variation on soccer, zombie-style! In the afternoon the students reviewed the Canadian national anthem in French, as well as some favourite French Halloween songs and words. We spent the rest of our afternoon on more pumpkin math! We used towers of snap cubes as non-standard units of measurement to estimate and measure the height of our pumpkins. We watched a very cool video (which I have posted on our video page) about growing gigantic pumpkins that weigh as much as 800 lbs! Finally, we estimated the weight of our biggest pumpkin by using smaller pumpkins, classroom items, and classmates as referents. We were surprised that it was only about 9 kilograms!
Site Update
New on the blog! Click on the "Videos" and "Links" pages on the menu bar at the top of the blog. On these pages I share some favourite videos we have been using to help us learn, and links to websites including Raz Kids and Mathletics.
Room 7 Communication / Contact
Our classroom coordinator this year is Tara Walter. She will help to coordinate volunteers and contributors for in-school events and field trips. If you would like to be added to her contact list in order to receive class updates with upcoming date reminders and volunteer opportunities, please email Tara at [email protected] with your preferred email contact information.
Mail Pockets
- Mail pockets stayed at school as no new notices went home
- Home Reading bags went home if returned
Please and Thank You
- Thank you for all the wonderful pumpkins! We have plenty to enjoy our pumpkin math activities this week.
- Thank you also for the incredible response to help contribute to Thursday's Halloween celebration snack! We are one lucky class!
Halloween
Next Thursday, the 29th, students are invited to dress in costume for the afternoon. We will be enjoying fun activities, snacks, and a special guest to celebrate Halloween in our classroom!
Volunteer Opportunities
- If you enjoy the messy fun of pumpkins, we will be hollowing out our math exploration pumpkins Wednesday afternoon to collect seeds for estimating. I would welcome 1 more volunteer to help. Please email me if interested!
- I am seeking morning reading volunteers for Monday through Thursday from 8:30-9:00. The students benefit so much from a little extra one-on-one reading time each week, building confidence and a love of reading! This volunteer time may also include supporting letter-sound review, as well as sharing "just right" books. If interested, please email myself ([email protected]) or Tara ([email protected]) with the weekday(s) that works best for you! Thanks very much!
Library Exchange
Wednesday is our library exchange day. Please return your books in order to take out a new one!
Upcoming Dates
- Oct. 29 - Family Halloween Dance!
- Oct. 30 – PD Day – NO SCHOOL
- Nov. 3 - School Photo envelopes due back
- Nov. 25 – Field Trip – Arts Commons
Daily Challenge
We used snap cubes as "non-standard units of measurement" to estimate and find the height of our pumpkins. You could use anything as a unit of measurement, from your hand, to a marker, to an apple! For example, my guitar is 6 and a half colourful popsicle sticks long. Pick an item to use as a unit of measurement, to measure the length or height of something at home.