Math Centers

We started working with Math Centers in the classroom two weeks ago.  The munchkins are loving them!  Math Centers provide an opportunity for students to practice and apply skills and strategies taught in the classroom. While students are engaged in purposeful centers, I have the opportunity to work individually or with small, flexible groups to meet the individual needs of students.

Why do I incorporate Math Centers in my classroom?

• They are an integral part of daily instruction for all children.
• They provide meaningful, independent practice based on curriculum objectives and students’ needs.
• They include a variety of activities differentiated to meet the needs of students.
• They change regularly according to the needs of students.
• They hold students accountable for the work in which they are engaged.
• They allow teachers to assess students’ math skills, strategies and understandings.
• The munchkins love them and are having fun while they practice Math!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving week-end everybody!
Miss Lopez

Multiplication facts "headache"

One of my least favorite parts of teaching upper grades are multiplication tables.  SO much of what I teach in math is dependent upon the fact that my students are fluent in multiplication.  If, for example, they don't know what 3 times 4 is, it is really hard to ask them to find Least Common Multiples or Greatest Common Factors.  Finding the percent of a fraction, division in general are all really, really hard if you are struggling with your multiplication facts.

So what to do?  
Since time is something we're lacking in class, I've included some fun ways the kids can practice their facts at home:


1.  Use the traditional flash cards to play a game of Sparkle, multiplication style.
2.  Students roll two dice, then multiply the 2 numbers they rolled together.
3.  Create a memory game–one card contains the factors, the other contains the product.
4.  Dominoes-students draw a domino that is face down.  They multiply the dots on either side of the domino together.
5.  Number Draw-no materials needed except your fingers!  P
6.  Play Ask-n-Switch which is a whole class game using flash cards.
7.  Multiplication War with a deck of cards.  Students each draw two cards, then multiply them together.  The student with the largest product wins the round.  (this was part of our Math Centers).
8.  Multiples pyramid-students practice writing the first 12 multiples (or amount of your choice) for a given number.

multiples pyramid

Have fun practicing your facts!

Miss Lopez

What's "bug"ging us?

Hello everyone,

The new school year is starting with a bang!  We have had quite a few cases of lice at PDC this week.  Due to the amount of cases we can only conclude that the nasty little critters have been multiplying at a somewhat accelerated rate.  The heat wave has not helped matters either;(

To avoid any more cases I would like to ask all parents to please check your children’s scalp for nits and lice every night.  If you happen to find any lice or nits do not freak out!  You can simply go to a pharmacy closest to you and pick up a head lice treatment.  Don't forget to also advice the school's secretary.

If your munchkin’s scalp is clear, and you’ve done the happy dance, get yourself a bottle of tea tree oil and apply it behind your child’s ears and neck every morning to prevent an invasion;) The nasty little monsters hate the smell of tea tree oil.  I will also advice the girls to tie their hair before they come to school.

Have a good night,

Miss Lopez

About head lice

Place value video with some groove!

Hi everyone,
We have been reviewing Place value, digits and numbers in class.  Our munchkins were very excited to start using their ISN and began taking notes like pros;)
I found these two videos that I want to share with you:
Forgive me, but I am sure the tune All about Place Value will remain with you for a while:)

Place Value with Mr. C

All about place value

Have a great evening;)
Miss Lopez

Class Dojo

Dear Families,

This year I will be using a web-based program called Class Dojo to help track students’ behavior.   It is an excellent communication tool to help keep parents updated about their child’s behavior.

In Class Dojo, students can earn points for positive behaviors such as being on task, following directions, helping others, etc.  Students can also lose points for negative behaviors such as being off task, not following directions, etc. Students love being able to track their points.

Once you have joined our class you will be able to check your child’s progress anytime.  You will also be emailed a report every Friday.  Students can create their own account so they can check on their own progress and manage their avatars. (There’s even an app!)  Parents love having instant access to how their child is doing. Another great feature of Class Dojo is the ability for me to send messages to parents. 

Students and parents from previous classes have loved it and I hope you will find it helpful too!

I’ve giving your invitation letter with directions about how to join to your munchkin.  Please return the bottom portion of that letter so I know that you have signed up. Thank you!

Sincerely,

Miss Lopez

All about Miss Lopez

Monday, August 31^st, 2015

Hi!  I’m Miss Lopez!

Teaching is an absolute passion of mine!  I am so excited to work with you and your child!  It is going to be a year full of fun, learning, and lots of adventures.  I can’t wait to see what the year has in store for us!  I thought you might like to know a little bit about me.

I am married to my wonderful husband, Robert. We have been married for 11 years.   He is an avid technophile who enjoys cooking.  I am a person who loves to keep busy.  Some hobbies I enjoy are crafting, reading, and taking pictures.  I keep a classroom blog where you can see all the pictures of the wonderful activities we do in the classroom. (http://newsfrommisslopezclass.blogspot.ca/)

I have lived in Canada for about 29 years.  I lived in New York City for the first part of my life and in El Salvador for part of my childhood.  I am fully trilingual and I understand Italian quite wellJ  My parents are two amazing people who have inspired me all of my life.  I also have a younger brother, Gus.   He has a little boy named Max.  I love my nephew to pieces!  He has a great sense of humor and lots of energy!  Very soon Max will be enjoying the company of a little sister.  She will be born in NovemberJ I can’t wait. 

This will be my fifteenth year teaching; my tenth year at Pierre de Coubertin.  I absolutely love teaching!  It is my mission to instill love for learning in my students.  I attempt to teach with a passion for my subjects so that my students develop a desire to become life-long learners.  Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.  It is so important to keep communication open between us.  I look forward to a great year together!

A few of my favorites:

Color: Pink

Animal:  Cow

Food:  Sushi

website:  Pinterest

Song:  Anything by the Foo Fighters

Book:  Anything from Emily Giffin and John Grisham

Movie:  Horror movies

Welcome to another school year!

Dear Parents,
Hello everyone, I hope you had a wonderful and restful summer holiday.  
I am Miss Lopez and I will be your child’s sixth grade teacher this year.  I am really looking forward to working with you, and excited to help your child succeed in my class.
Grade six is an exciting year.  You will find sixth grade is more demanding and requires more responsibility than fifth grade.  I have no doubt that you will welcome these challenges with open arms!  You will also find sixth grade offers exciting and rewarding opportunities for your child to grow.  
I have been planning for this year all summer and I am very happy we are finally starting this adventure!
Please feel free to call me at PDC or email me whenever you have a concern at mclopez2004@gmail.com  The sooner we discuss a problem, the sooner it can be solved.  We both share a deep concern for your child’s welfare and development. Make sure to check out our classroom blog frequently for any announcements, important messages and impromptu pictures. 
Don't forget to bookmark this address: http://newsfrommisslopezclass.blogspot.ca/

I am looking forward to an exciting school year!
Sincerely,
Miss Lopez