Thrilling Thursday

This morning the students completed the Thursday section of the vocabulary sheet for our word of the week, essential.  Then, they attempted to solve our weekly puzzles.  After the announcements, we switched for math.

Math began with a "Tell Me About It" warm up.  The students were given a set of data and had to identify true mathematical statements they could make using it.  Then, we reviewed last night's homework.  After that, we began our rotations.

During the small group instruction, we applied our understanding of factors and multiples to solve number puzzles.  During math with a partner, the students worked together, engaging in math discourse, to use clues, involving factors and multiples, top identify mystery numbers.  Finally, during the technology portion, the students completed a session of Xtra Math.  Then, they worked on Soduko type puzzles, using factors as clues.

In between the second and third rotations, the students enjoyed lunch and outdoor recess.

Math homework tonight is the last 3 questions on the worksheet we used during the small group instruction.  For those who forgot their paper in school, it is also posted in GC.

After math, we began our literacy block.  I took time to model how to use the online resources to research the history/culture of Australia.  After that, the children had time to work on researching the history and culture of their own country, before going to music.

When the children returned to class, they ate snack, while I did a mini-lesson introducing proverbs.  I defined proverbs as brief, popular  sayings expressing a wise thought.  We identified and explained a few.  Then I reviewed today's independent work.

While I met with guided reading groups, the children spent the majority of their time working on their research for their countries.  They used online resources, available in Google Classroom - Writing, to complete the Geography and History/Culture pages. 

I met with all three reading groups.  We reviewed the definition of a proverb.  Then, as a warm up, each student had 5 minutes to see how many common proverbs they could complete on a worksheet.  After reviewing the 12 proverbs, we discussed a proverb from the play, "The Gifts of Wali Dad".  Finally, we wrapped up by discussing the proverb, "Don't judge a book by its cover."

We ended the day with a science lesson.  First, we reviewed the concept of a watershed.  Then we watched a short video explaining the idea of a watershed and discussed new understandings.  After that, the students used several online resources to discuss, with their table mates, why it is important for our neighborhood to take steps to protect the Chesapeake Bay.