Hump Day

This morning we began by reading two chapters in the Jack Prelutsky book.  The second chapter dealt with writing Haiku poetry...which I planned to teach tomorrow.  However, since Mr. Prelutsky was writing about Haiku, I decided to changed my instructional path and we learned how to write Haiku poetry.

Haiku is a Japanese form that deals with nature.  It is 3 lines with 17 syllables total.  The first line has 3 syllables, the second line 7 and the third line 5.  Here are two examples we wrote in class:

Blinking in the night
Fire flies ll around
Finally summer!

Cold short days arrive
Snow will surely follow soon
Oh no!  We missed out.

After our writing lesson, we reviewed the characteristics of fantasy.  Then we read the book The Mysterious Tadpole and noted the aspects that were realistic and helped us forget the completely fantastical elements (a tadpole larger than a human) of the story.

In math we reviewed key words, and their meanings, in word problems.  Then the students worked independently on two follow up worksheets.  One involved reading a word problem and choosing the correct numeric expression.  The other practiced filling in boxes, wither either numbers or operational signs, to make the equations true.  For homework students need to finish their classwork and complete the assigned HW paper.

After math we visited the computer lab where the students practiced their keyboarding skills using Type to Learn 3.  Then they enjoyed lunch and recess.

After recess the students worked independently on the following assignments; writing 2 haiku poems, using 8 WOW words in sentences to show they understand the meaning, and a language arts activity identifying adverbs.  I met with reading groups.

Bears:  We met and reviewed the pronunciation and meaning of vocabulary from chapter 3.

Lions:  We reviewed vocabulary and read and discussed chapter 14.

Crabs:  We reviewed the pronunciation and meaning of vocabulary from chapter 3.

We ended the day with a class meeting.  First, we went around the circle with each child getting the chance to complete the phrase, "In the time we have left I'd like to..."  Then we shared compliments.