Butterfly goodbye and Community helpers

This post will be a quick one as it is that busy time of year where teachers are madly trying to finish units, mark work, update data and check skills. Not to mention it sounds like a thunderstorm is on the way...it doesn't take much for the power to go out where I live!  I may not be my 'creative self' but I will try :)

Butterfly Release
Wow, we had almost 100% success rate with hatching our butterflies through their complete metamorphosis. A surprise to many was how much red liquid (meconium) that comes out of an emerging butterfly's abdomen.  Most students naturally think this is blood, but in fact it is 'metabolic waste' left over from metamorphosis. This prompted one of my students to say while looking into the butterfly net, " it looks like a crime scene in there but no one is hurt". 
Here is a pic of some of my students watching a butterfly emerge right before their very eyes!

I was able to take many great pictures of students holding butterflies but will try to get them to students personally rather than post them here. It was a little chaotic as you can imagine but at least this time I didn't take accidental pictures of my finger (like last year!)

Fractions
We have done a lot of work with fractions and are moving on to division and multiplication. Using books such as 'The Doorbell Rang' by Pat Hutchins, we even acted out how to divide objects fairly. This week I am laying the foundation for deeper understanding to ensure students understand that 'fractions' are related to 'division' which is related to 'multiplication'. At some point, multiplication tables need to be memorized but in grades one and two we are learning that 8 X 3 can also mean 8 sets of 3 or 3 sets of 8 or 8+8+8 or 3+3+3+3+3=3+3+3. I will post a livescribe lesson to show how I am teaching fractions and the language that I am using. Also some interesting things students were doing as they moved along the path to understanding. 

Community Helper Visits
If your child is in Grade One, there have been some community helpers visiting as part of the social studies curriculum.  We have hosted a local dentist  who gave out free toothbrushes and toothpaste (freebies are such fun at any age). A local Doctor and Policeman will visit shortly. There will also be a quick trip to the local fire hall in June.

A funny story
Whenever a student leaves the classroom and I know a fire drill may happen, I always ask the students if they "know what to do if the fire alarm goes off". Usually, I get an answer like, "meet you outside in our safety spot" or "go to the nearest adult" which is great. However, today I asked that question and the student said a bit too quickly "I'll stop, drop and roll!". I replied (kind smile on my face) , "and while you are rolling around in the hallway, the rest of us will be exiting the building". There was a short delay (as students pictured it in their minds) and then we all started laughing together. Then there was an "Oh" moment as the student said, "oh ya, that's if you're on fire and not for a fire alarm...oops". I love those cute moments when everyone gets what is funny!