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After receiving our first visit from the Pattern Ninja we decided to leave a note to see if he or she would return. In our note we asked where the pattern Ninja was from and in the reply we learned that the Pattern Ninja is from AUSTRALIA!

This was a clue! We decided the Pattern Ninja had to be from school because they knew what we were learning and could get into our classroom. So we narrowed down our suspects based on this new information.

SUSPECTS:

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Suspect #1: Mr. Joe (K2JS teacher)

  • Australian
  • Big  and strong
  • Likes to joke!

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Suspect #2: Ms. Jan (PYP Coordinator)

  • Australian
  • Knows what we are learning
  • Might have the keys to our classroom

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Mr. Nathan (P.E. Teacher)


  • Australian
  • Does P.E. and exercise = strong!
  • Knows everyone in K1PA

How We Solved the Mystery!

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STEP 1: Write a letter to each of the suspects asking them to write the alphabet for us.

Why you ask? Keep scrolling to find out...

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STEP 2: Wait for the suspects to reply.

Step 3: Match each suspect's writing to the Pattern Ninja's!
(Can you guess who it might be?)
Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!
MR. NATHAN!
 
Well done to all of the children in K1PA for doing a FANTASTIC job during the Student Led Conferences! You remembered all of the activities that were laid out and confidently explained each one to your parents! I can happily say that you are all growing into such independent thinkers and I am very proud of all of you.

To the parents, some of you have asked me about some of the resources I laid out for math. These resources can be used at home too if you wish!

Face Off

You can find this resource at the following website: mathwire.com

You will notice that the instructions are slightly different, and in their version they have children put counters on the card and remove them as they roll each number. I prefer to place the counters on as you go and the stacking of counters, because it keeps them going for longer! Either way will work though!

This website contains many other resources for a variety of math skills for all ages. If you have older children you may browse the site for other activities and materials that may aid higher math concepts and skills.

Draw and Tell

Here is a link to this app preview in iTunes: Draw and Tell
This is the app used on the iPad by the children to create patterns and record their voice. There are a variety of open ended ways in which this app can be used such as creating a picture and recording the story or drawing an observation of something and explaining it. Here are some examples of the patterns created by the children:
 
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Last night someone came into our classroom! We found a note on the board from someone called "The Pattern Ninja" and some patterns laid out on the mat. The children looked at the handwriting and it wasn't the same as Miss Pana's handwriting. They checked Mrs. Mano's handwriting too, but alas, it didn't match her writing either! Who could this Pattern Ninja be? We took on the Pattern Ninja's challenge and continued his patterns, easy peasy lemon squeezy!






Here are some questions and ideas we had:

Are there real ninjas in the world? -Miria

I wonder what the ninja looks like? -Sam

How did he come in our classroom? -Joseph

How did he come in the locked door? -Chise

What is his real name? -Jan

I think he came in the back door! -Jacob

Where does the ninja come from? -Miria

I think he is from space! -Alex

I think he cut the door with his sword and then built it back up! -Sam

I think the pattern ninja has magic! -Snehansh

I think the ninja is from Thailand -Aina M.

Why did the ninja come to write on our board? -Allegra

Why did you put activities on the floor if you are not our teacher? -Jan

I think he came in through the window -Chise

Maybe he went to every class! -Alex

I think that the ninja is a person who has come and peeked inside our classroom -Chloe

I think he came in the window -Kisaki

I think it is someone from outside of school -Aina P.


The patterns that the Pattern Ninja left on our mat:

We left some patterns out on the light table for the Pattern Ninja in case he or she returns tonight!

Has the Pattern Ninja ever visited your class before???

 
As many of the parents may already know, we are learning about patterns in math! Patterns are truly everywhere and all around us so what better way to start off the concept than to go on a pattern hunt! It is amazing what the children found just within the classroom. The class was broken up into 3 groups each group was given one Ipad each to photograph the patterns they found around them. Take a look at the pictures, can you guess the pattern that the children found in each one?
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Then the class read a book by Leo Leoni called "On my beach there are many pebbles". We decided to go on a pebble hunt, but we found more rocks than pebbles around our school. We collected them anyway looking closely at their shapes, sizes and colors. Then when we came back to the class we made some pebble/rock patterns. The children really enjoyed 'looking closely' and finding details in the rocks and pebbles that they could use to create their patterns!

 
Grade 1AC performed an assembly today and taught us about peaceful ways to resolve conflict. They must have really worked hard to plan and think about their assembly because K1PA learned so much! In fact, one of our classmates, Aina M. came back to class right after assembly and created a short puppet show demonstrating what she had learned. In her puppet show, two characters are arguing about playing a game, should it be tag or football? At the end the two friends are able to peacefully compromise! Watch the video to see how they resolve the conflict without using any hurtful words or actions.
 
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Our friend Clara
Clara is one of our newer friends in class and has been a very lovely addition to the class! She was thrilled to be the star name of the week! Clara has one baby brother, her favorite book is Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, and her favorite thing to do is to play with daddy! Take a look at the different things we noticed about her name:

  • The word 'clap' starts with the same three letters as her name
  • If you stick the 'c' and the 'l' together you can make the small letter 'a'
  • There are two letter 'a's in her name