10/15 - Symmetry

We learned about symmetry this past week.  We talked about the different types of symmetry including line symmetry (using letters E, O, M) and rotational symmetry (letters Z and N).  We discovered that a circle has infinite lines of symmetry.

We then broke up into groups to do a few activities relating to mirror images.  They used mirrors that could fold 90 degrees so they could look at an object from different angles.  They also got into pairs, stood facing one another and took turns trying to be each other's mirrors.  They had a lot of fun doing that, as you can imagine.

We then sat back at the table and had them tape a paper to their desk.  They choose two markers, one for each hand, and then attempted to draw a symmetrical drawing using both hands at the same time.  I was pretty impressed.  We closed by cutting out snowflakes.

10/8 - Place Value

We read the book "Sir Cumference and All the King's Tens."  Sir Cumference and his wife have a hard time counting all of the king's party guests until they group themselves in tens, then hundreds, then thousands.  The king has 9,999 guests. 

After reading the book and discussing place value for a few minutes, the kids got in pairs and played a board game about place value.  Then we worked on an activity page about the book.  I also sent home another page with two math problems that they can complete to earn points.

10/1 - How Much is a Million?

Unfortunately, my assistant and I both had sick kids this day and so Teacher Shannon H. took over the class for us.  The kids talked about big numbers and how much a million is.  Then the kids had the task of spending a million dollars using ads for homes, cars, and department stores.  It sounds like they had fun and also realized that it might be kind of hard to spend one million dollars.