the expression "time flies when you're having fun!" couldn't be more true. it's amazing that we're at the end of march and moving into spring and warmer weather again. some of the highlights of winter were that the koalas really built their independence. many became more independent with putting on boots and coats, some learned how to zip up their coats all by themselves, and those who already were independent helped others that needed some assistance. it was amazing to watch the transformation. They should be very proud!
we also worked hard as learners these last couple of months. In math, our focus was making combinations of numbers. first, we looked for "friends of five" and "friends of ten." for those who were up for an extra challenge, we looked for ways to combine three or more numbers in combinations of ten. from there, we moved into adding and subtracting different combinations of numbers. our goal is to be fluent to five, but many are confident in this, so we are working to be fluent to ten. word problems was our next focus. we looked at ways to combine or remove numbers from real life situations. representing and explaining the thinking that goes with these types of problems was the real work! we worked as mathematicians representing the story problem with models rather than drawings. we also explained how we came to the solution for the problem. lots of amazing thinking and strategies being used! in literacy, we have soared to new heights as readers and writers. our independence and stamina have grown in leaps and bounds. we have been working on retelling stories from the beginning to the end, using knowledge of character, setting, and plot. we focus on words that help our ideas flow such as, in the beginning, next, after that, and in the end. we have also been exploring patricia cunningham's work with making words. it is such a great way to use what we know about letter sounds and word meaning and manipulate them to make new words. writing has been an amazing celebration this year as well! the koalas have been engaging in "noisy writing" as they stretch and chunk sounds to express their ideas in writing. we wrapped up our narrative writing unit and have moved on to the more analytical types of writing in informative-explanatory and opinion writing. they are working hard and doing amazing work! There is so much learning still be done and we are excited for what spring has in store for us as we blossom into independent readers, writers, mathematicians, and thinkers! and as always, we grow together in a respectful and kind environment!
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