Exploring Base Ten Blocks

On Thursday the students became little architects and created their own structures using base ten blocks.   After building, their next task was to count the total value of blocks they used.  (See the first photo below.)  We will use base ten blocks throughout the year for hands-on practice and understanding of place value.

Types of Communities

In Social Studies with Mrs. Brennan this week, the students began learning about the three different types of communities: Rural, Urban and Suburban.  We will continue to discuss how Ann Arbor is a bit of a combination of urban and suburban.  The students used the "Categorizing" brain frame to discuss the differences between each type of community.

Counting Tree Rings

This week as a part of our study on trees and life cycles, we counted tree rings. We learned that every tree grows a new layer (ring) each year.  First we practiced on a giant drawing, and then on actual tree cross sections. Some of the trees we examined were over 40 years old!

Once There was a Tree

Yesterday I read the children one of my favorite books, "Once There was a Tree" by Natalia Romanova.  It tells the story of an oak tree that grows old, is chopped down, and becomes home to many different animals and creatures simultaneously. Eventually the stump rots, withers away, and a new tree grows in it's place which is then home to many similar creatures. This book not only ties in with our life cycles studies, but also on our year-long exploration of communities in Social Studies.  The tree is home to many, including a person in the story who uses it's shade.  

The photos below are from another book we read on the life cycle of a tree.  Ask your child to tell you what the upside down picture demonstrates!

Learning About One Another

One of the most special things about Angell School is all the amazing diversity the students are able to experience among their classmates.  Learning about one another's differences (and similarities) is one way for us to build a strong sense of community. Today was Amy's birthday and she taught the class how to say and write "seven" (for her age) and "Fall" for the first day of Autumn.

The Arboretum: Exploring our Local Community

We had a wonderful time on our trip to the Arb! 

The morning after our field trip, we made a "Telling Brain Frame" together on the board and then wrote individual reflection pieces about our trip to the Arb.  We talked about the Arb being part of our community in Ann Arbor and how it is a public place we all share.  We discussed that people go to the Arb to play, relax and have fun. But some people also go their to exercise or work.  We observed the ROTC Air Force division on our trip.  They were running, singing Army songs, and also building small structures.  So we determined that the Arb is also a place where certain students and professionals may have trainings and/or retreats.