Co-operative learning

For the next few days, the students will be focusing on the strategy of knowing which two numbers add up to ten.  These anchor charts were ones that they are familiar with as they were used when they were in Grade One.  This is a review of a concept that they should know, which will then be the focus of a new strategy.  Does your child know which numbers add up to ten?  Can your child 'flip flop' the equation so that they know the other equation such as 2+8 and 8+2 BOTH add up to ten?

We spent some time reviewing all that we already know...giving the students a feeling of accomplishment and confidence in how they handle numbers.

The students spend a great deal of time practising their facts, but most often with another student, so that they have someone to talk through their thinking with, and so that they have another student who can set them straight if they are not quite on the right path.

This game was sent home for more practise.  Use a paperclip and a pencil as the spinner (you can see one cutie showing you how to do it in this photo), and use some small items such as macaroni as the marker.

The students are practising how to read non-fiction, in Social Studies.  We had worked on a small booklet back in October, looking at the features of non-fiction text.  It is not the same as reading a work of fiction.

We work in both large groups, small groups and/or pairs as we read.

When reading this time, we looked at the two questions that were posed, and then focused on finding the answers to those questions.  Lots of discussion to ensure that facts are understood, also is part of the lesson.

The students then worked in pairs again to see if they could put five statements about what they had read, into the correct sequence, following the text that they had read.  Again, having a partner to talk with, allows the students to take a chance and feel confident that they are making good choices.

Co-operative learning is part of each and every day in our class!