Differentiating Math in the Ladybugs

This has been a big week for math in the Ladybugs!  We have moved into some higher level thinking about numbers and sums.  The books we have been using are "One is a snail, ten is a crab" by April Sayre and "1+1=5, Unlikely Math" by David LaRochelle.  Both of these books are terrific resources and starting points for exploring different ways of looking at addition problems.  The kids have been very successful figuring out the new problems and they have even been teaching the older kids how to do this math.  These books have provided us with the perfect vehicles for differentiating math in the Ladybug classroom.  Some children are counting with a one to one correspondence, some count by 2's, 5's or 10's; others use multiplication to figure out the answer.  Each child was able to use the method that best suited them to solve the problems.  One of the things that became abundantly clear was how creative and eager these children were to solve the problems.  The activities allowed the children to think outside the box and enjoy doing math in a way that made sense for them.

this one is counting by 2's

Sometimes it's more fun to show the big kids how to do it!

Sometimes the best part is sharing the discovery with someone else!

Adding legs

"feet"

"legs"

5 starfish legs plus the number of legs we know an octopus has

this child is counting legs

this one counting ponytails

Releasing the butterflies

We've been watching our butterflies for the last couple of weeks as they changed from larvae to caterpillars to chrysalis, and finally emerged as butterflies.  It's been fascinating for the children and at the same time its been a lesson on survival of the fittest.  Of the 5 larvae that we started with, 1 didn't emerge from the chrysalis, one emerged with only one wing and 3 others were intact and happy to be released onto the playground.  They landed on a few of the children and then flew off!

Beach field study

This week we culminated our study of Puget Sound sea life with a trip to the beach for a minus tide.  There is nothing better than the beach on a sunny day!  We found moon snails, star fish, crabs (dead and alive), mussels, sand dollars and lots of shells.  It was a fun day!  Earlier in the week we drew pictures of sea life on the playground and measured them using a variety of tools.

Grandparent/Special Friends Day

Today we welcomed some special visitors to our class.

There were opportunities for working on puzzles,

sharing a laugh,

decorating a pot,

and reading together.

Some even tried a little 4-square.   Next year we'll read up on the rules first.

Our last first Friday of the year!

Painting the feet wasn't so bad but evidently having them washed really tickled!

We love having the big kids in class!

They helped us draw and write stories (but mostly, they are really nice to us!).

We wish there was one more first Friday!

It's hard to overstate the benefits of mixed age visits in the pre-k room.  Every child gets paired up with an older child and the fun begins.  The older children are so patient and willing to help.  They read with us, draw and write with us, listen to us and laugh with us.  The big kids ooh and aah over our accomplishments and encourage the little ones in their work.  The benefits go both ways-the big kids love all the "stuff" in our room and they enjoy the adoration of the younger kids!