Updates

Hello Owl Families,

Just a post to update you of what's happening in the Owl Room!  There is a hard copy newsletter coming home today and it is also posted below.  I also have an in depth explanation of our latest math unit.  Enjoy your weekend!  I'm excited to see everyone on Monday and Tuesday for conferences!

In math, your child has started a unit on story problems.  Because most children at this age are learning to read, your child may need help reading the story problems.  Offer help when it is needed, but do not give the answer.

To solve story problems, children first need to know which number is unknown.  Is it the total or one of the partners?  This program helps children focus on this important issue by using "Math Mountains".  In a math mountain, the total sits at the top and the parts (or partners) sit at the bottom of the mountain.  Children can quickly see the relationship between the partners and the total when they look at the mountain.

Math Mountains are especially helpful in showing child how to find an unknown partners, as in the following problem: I see 9 horses.  5 are black, the others are white.  How many horses are white?

Children can find the answer by drawing the mountain to see which number is unknown.  Then they count on from the partner they know to the total.  In this way, they can find the partner they don't know.  See the picture below.

We also have an anchor chart helping us through the steps of a story problem.  First, we need to understand the story problem; to read and think about it.  Then we need to plan it out; to choose a strategy (math mountain, circle drawing, equation.).  Finally we need to do the problem--solve it.  See the picture below for the picture of the anchor chart.