Tuesday

The children's day began with PE.  After that we shared examples in the text where Ooka's actions were fair and unfair (independent work from yesterday) and discussed how this affected the events in the story.  Then we identified steps needed to begin publishing their writing pieces, on the laptops, using Microsoft Word.

Independent work included completing peer conferencing on their writing pieces, publishing their writing on the laptop, writing the letters h and k in cursive and identifying correct pronouns to match a given antecedent (worksheet).

I began meeting with reading groups.

Yellow Jackets:
We orally reviewed the actions that they marked with sticky notes in their book.  Then the students were given their first BCR to answer; How do Julie and Adam's actions lead to the solution of the problem?  This will be completed independently, in their RRJ (reading response journal) and turned in for a score.

After completing our warm up and reviewing last night's homework in math, we launched into a lesson analyzing an example of student work, provided by MCPS, using the compensation strategy and a number line to find the sum of a three digit addition problem.  I'm going to be honest--the lesson was rocky, at best!  We did not finish it and therefore the students do not have math homework this evening...lucky them!  We will revisit this lesson tomorrow and clarify any confusion and frustration!

Following lunch and recess the children continued working on their independent assignments and I met with more reading groups.

Cheetahs:  We discussed the problem and the actions of the main character that influenced the events leading tot he solution in the story.  Then the students were given their first BCR to answer in their RRJ; What was the problem in the story and how was it solved? 

Sharks:  We identified the problem and solution in the story using the stickies from their homework last night.  Then the students were given their first BCR to answer in their RRJ; What was the problem in the story and how was it solved? 

The Other Group (I really need to get them to pick a name!!):  We did word work using words from our story.

The afternoon was productive but publishing with the laptops presented new challenges.  I wanted to address these challenges to establish class expectations and routines.

 We also had a class discussion about how things are going during independent work time.  This came about because I noticed that several students seemed anxious or frustrated.  The students expressed concern that they have too many independent work assignments, not enough time to get them done and, therefore, feel rushed.  I HEAR THEM!  Adjustments will be made!

I hope you appreciate my honesty when I tell you that we did have bumps in the road today.  I assure you that progress was made and the children are learning!  There is no homework this evening but that will not be the norm!  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at dana_c_holman@mcpsmd.org.

If you feel the need to have your child complete work at home this evening, have them reread their reading group book and identify pronouns within the text.  They can also identify the antecedent that goes with the pronoun.  For math they can solve three digit addition problems using one of the strategies we have learned in class.