Rainy Wednesday

This morning the students shared their illustrations of the metaphor comparing a school of fish to Mexican soda.  Then I showed the students a picture of Mexican soda (multi-colored, bright, vibrant).  We had a discussion about how figurative language ( metaphors, specifically) is a tool authors use to paint a picture in their readers minds.  However, as a reader, we need to understand the metaphor in order to create an accurate image. 

After that we continued read the Jack Prelutsky book.

Then I introduced a new type of figurative language, onomatopoeia (a word whose sound makes you think of its meaning, ex. boom, crash).  I read two Shel Silverstein poems that used onomatopoeia.

The children's independent work included a new WOW worksheet for the verb shriek.  They also needed to circle examples of onomatopoeia and illustrate a poem.  Finally, the students identified adjectives on a worksheet. 

Reading Groups
Bears:  The students reread chapter 1 and completed a worksheet identifying the various characters introduced in the chapter, how they were related to one another and describing their personalities.

Lions:  In their RRJ they listed everything Murray ate in chapter 11 and explained what they could infer about Murray.

In math we continued multiplication but today we extended to three digit by one digit multiplication.  Most students got the concept but many are struggling with their multiplication basic facts.  As the students worked independently, Mrs. Benson worked with a small group to reinforce today's lesson.  I worked with a small group practicing placing fractions and mixed numbers on a number line.  After that I helped individuals with the independent practice worksheet.  Tonight's homework is to finish the worksheet from class today AND to fix any circled problems from class.

After math we visited the computer lab.  Students worked on their keyboarding skills using Type to Learn 3.

Following lunch and indoor recess the children continued their independent work assignments from this morning, while I met with reading groups.

Crabs:  In preparation for our new reading book, The Year of the Panda, we found China on the map.  Then I shared information to explain the importance of the panda to the Chinese people.  After that we discussed the Chinese zodiac calendar and looked up our "animals".

Lions:  We read and discussed chapter 12 in group.

We ended the day by thinning and transplanting our plants.  Our goal was to have 1 plant growing in each section of our quad plant holder.