Monday: Book Fair Visit

We began our day with a preview visit of the Scholastic Book Fair.  The children completed a wish list and will be bringing it home this evening.

When we returned to class we had a class meeting.  We began with a group share where students were given the chance to share and celebrate a mistake they made recently.  After sharing one of my own, I explained that it is important for people to learn how to accept making mistakes and how to face failure.  Successful people became that way because they didn't let mistakes or failure get in their way.

We began our reading/writing block by discussing guided reading group follow up activities, particularly vocabulary.  I reminded stunts of our format for creating entries in the vocabulary section of their RRJ and then showed them a worksheet that can be used for the same purpose.  The children voted to continue doing the entries in their RRJs.

Next, we revisited the traditional tales characteristics chart from last week.  We reviewed the section on myths.  Then we read the Greek Myth, "Arachne", and identified examples  from the myth that matched the characteristics on the chart.

Finally, the students chose their issues topics and I introduced the graphic organizer they will use to capture information about their issue during the research phase.

While I meet with small groups the students will complete reading groups assignments, read about natural resources and complete a comprehension activity in their science journal, and they will begin researching their issue using the links found on this blog and the graphic organizer introduced today.

Sharks:  We began reading chapter 3 in group.  The students identified the section of the text which stated Danny's real name and explains why he is called Danny.  Then the students finished reading the chapter independently and explained, in their RRJ, Amber's motivation for saying there are alligators in the toilet.  For homework the children need to read chapter 4 and make a list of unknown words and 1 question they have, on a sticky note.

In math, we continued the lesson from Friday.  In small groups, the students worked to solve a 2-step word problem and then Explain HOW to do so, capturing it on Educreations.  Then we began viewing the groups lessons.  We will finish viewing these tomorrow and vote on the best one!  These is a 2step problem solving worksheet for homework.

Following lunch and outdoor recess the students continued working independently while I met with more small groups.

Cheetahs:  The students read pages 37-44, listed unknown words on a sticky note and chose 2 to create vocabulary entries for in their RRJ.  IN group we reread pages 37-44 and discussed the multiple meanings of words in our language.  For homework the students need to reread pages 37-44 and identify 1 strength and 1 struggle for Yintao on a sticky note.

Yellow Jackets:  The students read chapter 2, listed unknown words and chose two to create entries for in their RRJ vocabulary section.  In group we reread most of chapter 2 and discussed the idea that the camera knows the truth.  For homework the students need to reread chapter 2 and create a title for the chapter and explain their choice on a sticky note.

Snakes:  The students read the third section of the book, listed unknown words on a sticky note and then, in their RRJ, explained why Mr. Henry pumps smoke.  IN group we practiced reading and writing high frequency words (could, answer, guess, said, what and laugh) and then reread the section called Pumping Smoke.  Tonight they need to reread this section practicing fluency.

We ended the day by reviewing the concepts of natural resources, and renewable and non-renewable natural resources, using the handout they read during independent work time.