November 30, 2012
Dear Gefen Families,
This week in science we conducted two experiments. First, we made our own parachutes using a napkin, string, stickers and a paper clip. We observed how the air and the weight of the paper clip made the parachute move. Next, we used syringes and rubber tubing to "push" on air. We learned about pressure and compression with this second experiment.
Hanukkah is quickly approaching! We read and discussed the story of Hanukkah and the meaning behind the customs. We also shared another cute story called Mrs. Greenberg's Messy Hanukkah and did some fun word searches, word finds, a mini book on the how to steps of making latkes, and we wrote about Hanukkah memories. The children are also learning about Hanukkah in Hebrew.
For grammar skills we learned about using commas in a list. We also talked about using commas when writing the date and when we write cities and states.
In math we are near completion of our money unit. Some children are working on identifying and counting coins while others are working on making change. Our next unit will be telling time, using a calendar and time word problems.
Shabbat Shalom,
Hamorah Caren
Friday, November 30, 2012
Friday, November 16, 2012
November 16, 2012
Dear Gefen Families,
This week we talked about the names and values of coins. We also took some time to observe them and then we created posters to report our findings. This activity should help the students as they learn to recognize coins at a quick glance. We also began counting up small amounts of change.
I encourage you to check out these fun math websites that your child might enjoy at home to practice money skills as well as addition and subtraction: MathBlasters, the Counting Money game, and the Dollar Store Game.
In science we continued our investigation of air by looking at air under water. Groups were given a water basin, paper towel, foam ball and plastic vial. Ask your child what happened when he/she crumpled up the paper towel, put it in the vial and pushed it into the water. What happened when they tried the same experiment using the foam ball? Key words for the week were vial, submerge and basin. We also shared a great story, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.
We did a variety of Thanksgiving related grammar skills this week. In addition, we pretended that we were turkeys and it was only days before Thanksgiving. Students had to write to the owner of the turkey farm, convincing him to spare their lives. It was a lot of fun to hear what the "Gefen turkeys" had to say! Check out the Save the Turkey! book that went home.
Shabbat Shalom,
Hamorah Caren
Reminder:
Wednesday, November 21st, school ends at 11:15.
Dear Gefen Families,
This week we talked about the names and values of coins. We also took some time to observe them and then we created posters to report our findings. This activity should help the students as they learn to recognize coins at a quick glance. We also began counting up small amounts of change.
I encourage you to check out these fun math websites that your child might enjoy at home to practice money skills as well as addition and subtraction: MathBlasters, the Counting Money game, and the Dollar Store Game.
In science we continued our investigation of air by looking at air under water. Groups were given a water basin, paper towel, foam ball and plastic vial. Ask your child what happened when he/she crumpled up the paper towel, put it in the vial and pushed it into the water. What happened when they tried the same experiment using the foam ball? Key words for the week were vial, submerge and basin. We also shared a great story, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.
We did a variety of Thanksgiving related grammar skills this week. In addition, we pretended that we were turkeys and it was only days before Thanksgiving. Students had to write to the owner of the turkey farm, convincing him to spare their lives. It was a lot of fun to hear what the "Gefen turkeys" had to say! Check out the Save the Turkey! book that went home.
Shabbat Shalom,
Hamorah Caren
Reminder:
Wednesday, November 21st, school ends at 11:15.
Friday, November 9, 2012
November 9, 2012
Dear Gefen Families,
This week we did our first science experiment about investigating air. Each child was given a bag containing a feather, balloon, cotton ball, straw and foam ball. Groups were given balloon pumps. We asked the children to use the materials in any way they could to observe air. They recorded their observations in their Air and Weather Journals (that will come home at the end of the unit) and shared their findings. They also created vocabulary cards for the following words: air, matter, gas and invisible.
For Torah we read the story of Avraham leaving home. G-d told him to leave his family and go to a new land which G-d would show him. G-d promised to make Avraham a great nation. We discussed what it would be like to have to move to a new place and leave our homes and friends behind. Then we talked about what things we might bring with us to remind us of home.
This week we completed our math unit on Fractions. Our next unit will be Money. We will work on identifying coins, value, adding and making change.
Shabbat Shalom,
Hamorah Caren
Reminders:
No school on Monday, November 12th due to parent/teacher conferences.
The first book report was sent home. Book choice is due by Friday, November 16th.
Reports are due on or before Tuesday, December 18th. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Dear Gefen Families,
This week we did our first science experiment about investigating air. Each child was given a bag containing a feather, balloon, cotton ball, straw and foam ball. Groups were given balloon pumps. We asked the children to use the materials in any way they could to observe air. They recorded their observations in their Air and Weather Journals (that will come home at the end of the unit) and shared their findings. They also created vocabulary cards for the following words: air, matter, gas and invisible.
For Torah we read the story of Avraham leaving home. G-d told him to leave his family and go to a new land which G-d would show him. G-d promised to make Avraham a great nation. We discussed what it would be like to have to move to a new place and leave our homes and friends behind. Then we talked about what things we might bring with us to remind us of home.
This week we completed our math unit on Fractions. Our next unit will be Money. We will work on identifying coins, value, adding and making change.
Shabbat Shalom,
Hamorah Caren
Reminders:
No school on Monday, November 12th due to parent/teacher conferences.
The first book report was sent home. Book choice is due by Friday, November 16th.
Reports are due on or before Tuesday, December 18th. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Friday, November 2, 2012
November 2, 2012
Dear Gefen Families,
Until winter break our science unit will be learning all about Air and Weather (perfect timing with Hurricane Sandy!). As a pre-assesssment, we began by talking about what we already know about air and weather and then we created a class (1st and 2nd) air book where the children illustrated what they think air looks like. Some drew their breath that they see outside in the winter and others drew swirls to represent moving air. Next, we shared the story "The Magic School Bus in a Hurricane" and talked about our different experiences of Hurricane Sandy. Lots of experiments yet to come . . . . . . . .
In math this week we looked at grouping within fraction problems. For example, if we bake 10 cookies and want to make 1/5 chocolate, 1/5 sugar and 3/5 chocolate chip, how do we figure out how many cookies are in a 1/5?
In Torah, we continued with the story of the Tower of Babel. We learned that the people were so busy building the tower that they forgot to take care of their families and animals and they forgot their devotion to G-d. The students were asked to think of a time when they were so busy that they forgot to do something important.
And last, we got together with the kindergarten and first grade to learn about the difference between the popular vote and the electoral college. First, we voted for something (flavor of ice cream, color, etc.). Once we thought we had a "winner," we learned that we weren't done yet, it was only the popular vote. Then, we broke up into "states" to vote for an elector and found that sometimes the "winner" was not really what we expected based on the electoral vote. (We found this great lesson on the CBS Sunday Morning website. Interviewer Mo Rocca went into a classroom to do a similar activity with some young children. The whole story will be airing on PBS next week. Check it out!)
Shabbat Shalom,
Hamorah Caren
Reminder:
School is closed next Tuesday, November 6th, for professional development.
Dear Gefen Families,
Until winter break our science unit will be learning all about Air and Weather (perfect timing with Hurricane Sandy!). As a pre-assesssment, we began by talking about what we already know about air and weather and then we created a class (1st and 2nd) air book where the children illustrated what they think air looks like. Some drew their breath that they see outside in the winter and others drew swirls to represent moving air. Next, we shared the story "The Magic School Bus in a Hurricane" and talked about our different experiences of Hurricane Sandy. Lots of experiments yet to come . . . . . . . .
In math this week we looked at grouping within fraction problems. For example, if we bake 10 cookies and want to make 1/5 chocolate, 1/5 sugar and 3/5 chocolate chip, how do we figure out how many cookies are in a 1/5?
In Torah, we continued with the story of the Tower of Babel. We learned that the people were so busy building the tower that they forgot to take care of their families and animals and they forgot their devotion to G-d. The students were asked to think of a time when they were so busy that they forgot to do something important.
And last, we got together with the kindergarten and first grade to learn about the difference between the popular vote and the electoral college. First, we voted for something (flavor of ice cream, color, etc.). Once we thought we had a "winner," we learned that we weren't done yet, it was only the popular vote. Then, we broke up into "states" to vote for an elector and found that sometimes the "winner" was not really what we expected based on the electoral vote. (We found this great lesson on the CBS Sunday Morning website. Interviewer Mo Rocca went into a classroom to do a similar activity with some young children. The whole story will be airing on PBS next week. Check it out!)
Shabbat Shalom,
Hamorah Caren
Reminder:
School is closed next Tuesday, November 6th, for professional development.
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