Friday, February 19, 2016

Fabulous Friday

This morning, after watching the morning announcements, we began our literacy block.

While I met with guided reading groups the students completed an independent reading task.  Then they practiced their word work words.  The orange and pink groups did Rainbow Words.  The other two groups did a meaning check with the rest of their words.  Next, the students completed their state research.  Those who finished their work early had the chance to choose between MyOn, writing Wee Deliver letters, practicing cursive, and a few other literacy activities.

Orange:  In group we reviewed the 4 vowel patterns they are reviewing in this word study unit.  Then we discussed the motivations behind the change in Grandpa's attitude in the story.   I collected their books.  We will begin a new one on Monday.

Pink: Independently the students wrote about how Grandpa changed in the novel and what motivated him to do so.  In group we discussed the end of the book and how a character's traits, feelings, and actions can help us identify the theme, or message, in a book.  I collected their books.  We will begin a new one on Monday.

Green:  Independently the students reread pages 87-95 and wrote about the two disappointments the children faced in this section and how they felt about each.  In group we discussed these and I explained my expectations for their written responses.  Then the students were allowed to improve their answers.  We also shared the headlines they wrote for this section yesterday, in class.  Finally, we reviewed the concepts of a character's traits, feelings, and motivations, and discussed how understanding these can help lead us to the theme, or message, in a book.

Blue:  Independently the students reread pages 73-85 and, in their, RRJ, they identified and explained a character trait for Henry Winstanley and stated whether or not they'd want him as a friend.  In group we discussed the most important events in this section and shared the headlines they wrote, in class, yesterday.  Finally, we reviewed the concepts of a character's traits, feelings, and motivations, and discussed how understanding these can help lead us to the theme, or message, in a book.

After our literacy block the students enjoyed indoor recess and lunch.

When the students returned to the classroom we began our math block.

During the small group, teacher-led, instruction we reviewed plotting fractions on a number line and then created a line plot using the data table we made yesterday.

During math with a partner, the students played Fraction War, a card game created by one of our students.

Finally, during the technology rotation, the students watched a lesson about plotting fractions on a number line and then played a game to practice that skill.

After math the students shared their homework writing journal entries.

Then, we ended our day with our weekly class meeting.  We began by sharing how we feel about school...and there were a lot of positive feelings.  Yippee!  Then exchanged compliments and than yous.

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