Thursday, January 15, 2015

Thriving Thursday - A Full Day of Learning!

This morning the students came in and exchanged books in the media center, read quietly, or practiced keyboarding.  Then we began our math rotations.

During the small group, teacher led, instruction the children began by sorting shapes according to whether they were split into equal parts.  Then we used our knowledge of area to determine whether a rectangle, which was partitioned into parts not looking the same, actually represented fractional pieces.  We determined that, although the parts looked different, since they covered the same area, it did indeed represent fractional parts.  Some groups extended this understanding to the application of multiplication and division to partition a shape.

Math with a partner had students identify and name fractions using a flip book, a matching game and a "bump" game.  All three activities required math discourse using appropriate vocabulary.

Finally, during the technology rotation, the students watched two Brain Pop Jr. lessons about parts of a whole and more fractions.  If they finished early, they played the online game that went with the lesson.

For HOMEWORK there is a game linked to the Google Classroom homework page.  Students are expected to play level 1.  Level 2 can be attempted as a challenge.

After math we took a Brain Break using a football themed exercise Power Point created by Mr. Benco.

Next we reviewed today's independent work assignments.

Students will complete independent reading group assignments.  Then they will complete their inquiry project...both the written portion and the multi-media presentation.  Next they will practice writing the letters n, m, and v, in cursive.  After that they will identify how cooling and heating processes change a material into a usable product and listen to the BES nominee, This is the Rope: a Story of Migration, and rate it on their sheet.

While the students worked on these tasks, I met with guided reading groups...well, some.

Tigers:  We reviewed their r-controlled vowel charts from homework last night.  Then the students whisper read page 6, while I listened in, and circled or underlined r-controlled words on that page.  For HOMEWORK the students need to reread page 6 and add the r-controlled words to the chart in their RRJ.

Following lunch and outdoor recess, the students took the winter installment of the MAP-R.  This is the computerized, self adjusting assessment that MCPS students in grades 3-8 take three times a year.  The purpose of this test is to measure student growth, in reading, and provide data for the teachers planning and instruction.  This is not a grade on the report card and does not determine grade placement for next year.  All of the students in my class will be in fourth grade next year!  :-)

The children ended their day in art with Mrs. Daniell.

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