Miss Lisa & Morah Chanie- 3's Class

FROM MISS LISA 

Our Science Center has been full of hands-on discovery. We recently added a scale along with a collection of rocks, crystals, acorns, and mini pine cones. The children have been busy comparing, weighing, sorting, and examining these natural treasures.

This activity supports early math development as children explore concepts like heavy and light, more and less, and balance. It also strengthens observation skills as they notice differences in size, shape, texture, and weight. Handling the materials provides rich sensory input, and experimenting with the scale encourages problem solving as children test their ideas and adjust to make it balance. I enjoy watching the discovery and how each child approaches the center.

Math

We have been engaging in a fun math activity. Each child takes a turn rolling a die and we count the dots on top. I then give them the same number of Unifix cubes to match.

The children connect their cubes either horizontally or vertically, exploring how the same number can look different depending on how it is arranged. This builds early conservation skills as they begin to understand that the quantity stays the same even when the shape changes.

Once connected, we compare our cube trains to see which is longer or shorter, and we talk about concepts like more, less, equal, and longest. This activity strengthens counting, one-to-one correspondence (enumeration), observation, comparison, and early problem-solving skills. 

We talk a lot about how we can “solve the problem” in our class. How can we fix it, how could we make it work better? It is also social/emotional. How can we modify it so more friends are included or so everyone gets a turn? We are looking in the books that we read for “clues” to solve the mystery (we LOVE a good mystery!) I ask how they think a character is feeling and what we would do to make them feel better? When accidents happen or a friend knocks over a structure, we solve the problem. Paper towels to wipe spills, helping to rebuild the structure, asking a friend if they’re okay, taking turns, etc. Encouraging children to take time to see what is happening and being accountable for the resolution helps build autonomy, initiative, and self esteem.

Have a great weekend