Postcards, Plants, Acronyms, Synonyms, Homonyms and other Goodies

We're well into October and have fun with fall in the BASES classroom.

We've started doing a FAST 5 - our quick brain awakener in the morning.  This keeps our Math facts 'sharp' with 5 quick measurement and money questions.  Keeping with our Postcards and geography unit, we are learning about the 7 continents, memorizing by using an acronym (the first letter of each continent name).  The students created the acronym 'After Auntie Ate Nuggets, Squirrels Arrived Elephants.'  In other words, Africa, Australia, Antarctica, North America, South America, Asia, Europe.

And speaking our Postcards - our first two have arrived.  One from Germany and one from Finland!  We were excited to put these up and start our collection and learn about these exciting countries.  We've also sent off a few more - Melanie and Caitlin were kind enough to walk them out to the mailbox for us.

We are keeping a close eye on our beans - which are now planted in soil - and are starting to see green.

Did you know that we have been at school for 22 days already?  The students have decided that Mr. Hayes, Mr. Whitham's and Mr. Ranu's guestimation of where our number line will be at 100 days won't even be in the ballpark (Shhh....don't tell them).

We are also beginning a unit on 'Words are Wonderful.'  We have been learning about synonyms and homonyms.  Three of our students, Jasmine, Jeena and Janelle, delivered a coloful note to our vice-principal, Mr. Whitham, with a slew of synonms for his favorite word, 'STELLAR.'  These included outstanding, heavenly, fantastic, delightful, joyous, amazing and fabulous.

In keeping with our synonym theme, we collected words for our BLOG word - buzz - and came up with whir, hum, whiz, murmur and drone.  We also started "catch up" time on Fridays symbolized by the similar sounding "ketchup" bottle on the door!

Also, the students created a Thanksgiving Bulletin Board with typed copies of their journal writing about what they were thankful for.  Our peer tutor Jennelle also taught them how to make hand turkeys.

And as much as the BASES kids are thankful, we as the BASES teaching staff are thankful to - for our wonderful SEAs, supportive administration, collaborative colleagues and amazing kids with whom we work each and every day.

Wishing a HAPPY THANKSGIVING to ALL our BASES students, their families and to ALL our subscribes who follow our blog.