Monday, October 31, 2011

Homework: Multiplication Finger Game




image: canstock.com
For homework today, I assigned a game for students to play with someone at home. The goal of the game is to practice multiplication facts. We learned it today and although the classroom got very, very loud, very, very quickly, the students all had fun!

Here is how you play thanks to the website googolpower. Similar to the game rock, paper and scissors, students pair up to play a game where on the count of three they each randomly put out fingers from 0-5 (or 0-10 if they have more advanced skills.) Then it is a race to answer the math fact.

For example if child # 1 holds out five fingers and child #2 holds out three fingers, they would yell out the product 15. This game can also be played with younger students to reinforce adding skills. You can also play in teams or groups of three by having the third person answer the questions and taking turns.

Here are some more links to online multiplication games and practice:


Multiplication Idea Bank
Kids Games for Learning
Multiplication.com

Sunday, October 30, 2011

International Day at IST

Friday we celebrated International Day at IST. It was a wonderful event and the highlight of the year so far for whole school events. The parents really pulled off an A+ event and I want to thank each and every one of them... especially the parents in my room!

The day kicked off with a little bit of rain, but that didn't stop us from parading around the school. The kids lined up with their families at the country that the were represented and waited for the parade to begin. I was lucky because I had Tanzania (the country for which I dressed up supporting) and the US (my home country) right next to each other. Here is a photo of the Tanzanian group waiting to walk.
 I found some teaching friends from the US right next to me. Here is our grade 3 team leader, Ms. McKillip! She loved my Portland shirt, because she is also from Portland, Oregon... small world, huh?
 As each country walked through the school and down toward the field, each group got their picture taken. Here is a photo of the Tanzanian group.
 Waiting for us on the field as we walked to the assembly were some local Tanzanian dancers and musicians. What a great way to start an event!
 The US group was large and loud. The chants of USA could be heard across the field. Everyone was wearing their red, white and blue, and families came with huge American flags.
 When we got to the covered court, the children were chanting, waving flags and having a great time. The event was festive and joyous. It was so nice to see everyone dressed up representing their country.

 Once the assembly was over, classrooms went back to their rooms and waited until it was their turn to go back out onto the field and look at all of the tents. Each continent had a different area of the field and the students got to go out and play games, do crafts, learn facts, taste food and experience different cultures.
Treats and Facts at Mexico

Jump Rope at Canada

Treats at the United States of America

Origami Tops at Japan

Games in Asia

Treats in Africa

Travis and Evan with Travis's mom learning about South Africa

Learning about Spices from Zanzibar

Fresh Coconut from Tanzania

Soap made from plants at the Zanzibar presentation

3R posing in front of the Tanzanian animals

Painting at Europe

Answering questions and getting treats from Europe

Meet bobbing for apples with a little help from Tim

Miss Irene and Miss Rorey dressed to represent Tanzania! Thanks to Miss Irene for the wonderful outfits.

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Gardening with Ms. Rorey's Roaring Leopards

Our first week back to school from our holiday was great. We had so many fun events planned and the students were so great making the transition back.

Over break, we left our bean plants in the classroom with the hope that they would grow with a little watering help from our dada. Luckily when I came in on Monday for professional development they were flourishing. When I looked out the window, I also saw the garden cleaned up. I knew that things were going to be just perfect for planting on Thursday.

Thursday morning, small groups of kids headed out with Ms. Irene to get some help and instruction from our gardener. Their task was to plant the garden. The kids had so much fun and really helped out a lot. We are eagerly anticipating our seeds germinating and small plants sprouting out of the ground. Stay tuned for more gardening news in the upcoming weeks!











Sunday, October 9, 2011

Evan's Plantastic Acrostic Poem

Puffed up fruit
Unusual
Mushy
Perfect
King of all plants
Incredibly tasty
Nice to eat


By Evan

Vansh's Plantastic Acrostic Poem


Colorful sometimes
Offers food to use
Rain is what they need
Nice to eat
By  Vansh