Math Question- What is a Ton?

We had our daily story problem about an elephant eating and how many kilograms was it. When we found the answer and my student said, "That is a ton!".
 I asked, "Is it?"
Student, "Is it what?"
Me: "Is that many kilograms a ton?"
Student: "I don't know."
Me: "What is a ton?"
Students (all 3):"I don't know."
Me: "Hop on the computer and find out."
Students: "How?"
Me: "Google it."
Students go to computer and all find the answer on different websites. (2000 lbs)
Me: "Do we know how many pounds the elephant ate?"
Students: "No"
Me: "How can we convert kilograms to pounds?"
Students: "I don't know."
Me: "Go find out."
Student go back to computers and find out how to convert lbs to kilograms (22 lbs=1 kilogram)
Me: "Okay walk me through the process of finding out how many pounds of food that is (pointing to the kilogram answer)."
Students walk me through the problem
Me: "So, is it a ton?"
Student: "Yes but..."
Other Student: "Don't say anything!"

My students make me smile.

Student Created Vocabulary Review

We started the week by looking at our new vocabulary words and pictures that corresponded with them on the SMART board.

On Tuesday, we played a Pictionary type game where we drew pictures of our words. I photo copied them and mixed them up for a student created matching game tomorrow.

I also had the students type in and record the correct pronunciation of the vocabulary words on a great sight word app (sight words by alligator apps). The students type in the word, say it, record it, save it and they create a list of their weekly words. You should have seen the smiles when they heard their voices! They loved this.

Now, we are set up for a round robin reading center. Students will be challenged to read as many words in 1 minute that they can using sight words on cards, reading rocks, and their own iPad created list. They will rotate from one set to the next. I saw an amazing teacher do this and it was powerful for the kids to have so much direct reading practice in less than 5 minutes. Thanks for the idea Mrs. Thorkelson!!