Day 31: Math and Orientation

We handed out a worksheet of multiplication problems to the 4th grade today. They were mostly double by double problems and quite a few multiplying by 10's. I was surprised at how many students didn't understand why or how it worked. Every single student got 14 x 15 wrong. They didn't even know how to get started on how to solve it. For me, it was very frustrating. Especially since this is a skill normally learned in 3rd grade in the United States.

I have also realized that in my classroom I want it to be as student oriented as possible. I want the students to be able to help themselves as much as possible. If that means getting their own counters to help with a problem or finding a pencil. My students need to know where everything is and know when they can use things. 

I realized today when a student sat with her hand raised for 5 minutes just to get some dice, that I needed my students to be independent. The teacher said she could have got the dice herself, but the girl didn't know that. Every time previously she had had dice given to her. I want my students to learn independence. 

Day 30: S'mores

Today, my students had s'mores and I am once again the best teacher in the school.
Norway doesn't have graham crackers, but Hilde and I found some biscuits (cookies) that worked out really well.
During the last hour we went outside in the pouring rain to the fire shack. Trude had already started a fire for us and I instructed everyone to get a skinny long stick. It took a little while, but they got them. Then I showed them how to make a s'more.
First you make sure you have two biscuits, two pieces of chocolate and one marshmallow. The I showed them how to roast the marshmallow to perfection. After it was done I held my stick between my legs, and squished the marshmallow between the two biscuits with chocolate and pulled it off the stick. There were noises of amazement all around the fire. When I took a bite and the marshmallow squished out all over my face, the "ohhh!" sounded in unison. Then I passed out all of the ingredients and the kids started making their s'mores.
Hilde and Trude tried them as well. When I asked them what they thought Hilde said "It was okay." Then Trude interrupted and said "Okay? That was delicious!"
S'more day... success!

Passing out ingredients

How to make a s'more 

Lots of sticks!

Everyone was very patient... for 4th graders

Look at that delicious gooeyness

squish

Everyone loved the s'mores

Day 29: Singing

I love singing. I got to sing with the 5th graders again, only for a few minutes, but the time doesn't matter. I was just glad we got to sing.
When we sang "Da Moose, Da Moose." I don't think the teacher in there had heard it before. He was laughing so hard, and had to video the song so he could watch it again.

On an unrelated note, I am getting very good at knitting! It is amazing how quickly I can do it now! I have already made 5 hand warmers, or 2 and half sets of hand warmers. I am pretty proud of myself! Now I just need to make sure I can get them done by the time Christmas rolls around.