Go Pro!

This morning, the children wrote about their weekend on our GC - Homeroom page.  Then, they completed the Monday portion of the vocabulary sheet for our word of the week, assume.

After the announcements, we were treated to an assembly. Two professional soccer players, Alyssa Kleiner and Lindsay Agnew, visited us to discuss the importance of being active and not giving up.

Following the presentation, the students enjoyed lunch and outdoor recess.

When they returned to class, we began our literacy block.  We reviewed that the theme of a text is the central message, that is usually inferred.  Then, we went over the correct answers from Friday's theme practice activity, where the children matched passages of text to a theme.

After that, the students worked independently, while I met with guided reading groups.  First, they read two chapters in their guided reading book and wrote a summary for one of them.  Next, they read a short passage of text, answered two comprehension questions, and wrote about the theme, using evidence to support their thinking.  Then, they identified two similes and/or metaphors, from Pop's Bridge, determined what they were comparing, and interpreted each.  Finally, those who had time, read about several human-made landmarks in Maryland.

Guided Reading Groups:
Blue:  We met and reviewed vocabulary for chapter 3 and then read it silently.  After discussing that portion of the text, we went over some vocabulary for chapter 4 and then, the students read the chapter independently, marking places they thought were funny, surprising, and/or confusing.

Pink:  Independently, the students read chapter 3 and 4, marked places they felt were funny, surprising, and/or confusing, and wrote a summary for chapter 4.  In group, we shared and discussed their think marks.  Then, we drew a line of learning, under the summary they wrote, and wrote a summary, together, that would meet the criteria for an A.

Green:  The students read chapters 5 and 6, independently, marking places they thought were funny, confusing, and/or surprising.  They also wrote a summary of chapter 6.  In group, we discussed the two chapters and shared some of the summaries.

In between the pink and green groups, the students went to PE.

After our reading groups met, we ate snack, read Wonder, and discussed the upcoming SGA elections for kindergarten representative and class rep.

Then we began our writing block.  Today we reread the first line in Tea with Milk and The Bicycle Man.  We reviewed first and third person points of view and identified from which each was written.  Next, the children thought about a person, from their own life, that they might write about, and shared their ideas with their writing partner.  Finally, the students wrote for 15 minutes, silently, about a memory from their own life, a person they know or remember, or anything else that interested them.

We ended the day by creating our aquariums so that the water can adjust and we will be prepared when our critters arrive later this week.  Then we began Module 2 of our science unit by defining needs, photosynthesis, and development. WE also discussed the things plants need in order to survive and the changes we have observe in our terrariums.

HOMEWORK:  Practice basic facts and read for 20 minutes!