Seeing the Math

At Stormonth, we're fortunate to have lots of experts. One of our math experts, interventionist and coach Abby Piatti, joined our class this week at my invitation to help us with multi-digit subtraction. With Mrs. Piatti, we took a few steps backwards and worked on conceptualizing place value. She knew that place value concepts provide the foundation for the challenging subtraction work we've been trying to do.

She helped us "see ten" as both a unit (one ten) and a composite (ten ones). It's easy to take this understanding for granted, but true  "tens thinking" requires a fair amount of mathematical sophistication. It means that children can quickly and flexibly increase or decrease by tens and coordinate tens and ones mentally. It means that they can structure numbers around the dynamic relationships between hundreds, tens, and ones instead of just relying on rote exercises.

We started our work with craft sticks bundled as tens and envisioned adding on to a collection or taking away, sometimes unbundling sticks to do these tasks. We tried thinking of subtraction as "jumping back" and addition as "jumping up" and practiced making a series of quick mental maneuvers. (Start at 220, what is ten more...  twenty more... two less... 100 more... ten less.....) As we eventually returned to standard algorithms, it was hopefully with a more solid foundation and what Abby calls a new way of "seeing the math."

In Reading Workshop this week, many children moved on to new series after having met or exceeded their goal of at least three books with the same characters. Look for a letter in your child's binder today that lets you know your child's status on this character work.  If your child still has reading left to do, please encourage him or her to make an effort this weekend. Our Character Fashion Show is just a week away. Remember to send costumes to school on Tuesday. And please plan to join us for the big event next Friday!

In Writing Workshop, opinion writing about books continued with the children broadening their range of topics beyond characters and plot. For example, some are writing about how the illustrations enhance a book and others are writing about the lesson a book holds for readers. We'll be looking especially at the craft moves authors use as we wrap up our opinion letter writing next week.

A list of the names of all of the children in the class should be in your child's folder today. Use this to address valentines. We'll share our valentines on Valentine's Day, Tues., Feb. 14. And we'll celebrate our friendships with ice cream sundaes. If you would be willing to provide any of the following items for our party, please let me know: vanilla ice cream, sundae toppings, bowls, spoons, napkins, or water bottles. Thanks!

Finally, we've declared February "Respectful Listening Month" in our classroom. We're keeping tabs on individual behavior with our Heart Chart. Any child who fills his or her heart with stickers for good listening will be eligible for fun, in-class reward times.

Mark Your Calendars:

Tues., Feb. 7 - Rehearsal for the Second-Grade Character Fashion Show. Send your costumes to school. Also Makers' Club continues during recess.

Wed., Feb. 8 - Early release day for students. Makers' Club continues during recess. Also last chance for ice-skating during PE.

Thurs. Feb. 9 - I will be out of the classroom to attend the Wisconsin State Reading Association Convention. Mrs. Maier will be the substitute.

Fri., Feb. 10 - Second-Grade Character Fashion Show, 9:15 AM in the cafeteria. Parents are invited to attend.

Tues., Feb. 14 - Valentine's Day celebration. 

Fri., Feb. 24 - Jump Rope for Heart Assembly