Tallies and the Number Line

Today in math we did a lot of practice with using a number line.  We learned that the further a number is away from zero, the bigger the number is and the closer it is to zero, the smaller it is.  We talked about how to explain which number is bigger using the number line.  After that, we played a new game called "Number Squeeze."  Two students started on either end of the number line and I chose a number that the rest of the class had to figure out using greater than and less than questions.  For example, a student may ask me if my number is greater than five.  If I say yes, then the student on the left side of the number line would move his hand over to cover the five thus closing off/covering the numbers that are less than five.  We also practiced counting by ones and integrated counting by 5's.  The students have learned that when writing tallies, the fifth one is always slanted, so as we practiced counting, every fifth number was said with our bodies slanted to the side.  Encourage your child to practice counting by fives at home!!

We also practiced alphabetical order in Fundations this afternoon.  The students practiced placing the letters in alphabetical order.  Here is a small group deciding which letter should go in which spot.