Terrific Tuesday

I'm back and my dad's surgery went very well!  :-)

After beginning their day in PE, the students returned to class and we reviewed the graphic organizer that we created together, in class, on Friday, using Kidspiration.

Next, I reminded the students how to navigate SIRRS Discoverer, an online research engine. 

During this time I also showed the children how to toggle back and forth between their graphic organizer document and the research articles, how to copy and paste from an article onto a document and a few other technical skills.

Finally, the students were paired up with other students who share the same opinion about their issue.

After completing individual reading group assignments, the students will work with peers to read about their issue, identify facts that will support their opinion statements and begin planning their piece by adding the fruits of the research labor to their graphic organizer.

Sharks:  We met and reviewed chapter 9.  We also discussed the theme and central message of the book.  Then I distributed a Guided Reading Tic Tac Toe sheet.  Over the course of this week, the children will select and complete 3 activities, described on this handout, as a culmination of their reading group book.  Today they ALL will create a title page for the book.  They can start this in class and are expected to finish it for homework.  The title page should be neat and pleasing to the eye...it should include the title, the author, the illustrator and a picture that reflects the story.  It must be spelled correctly and colored in.

In math we reviewed 2 step word problems with a 3 part word problem...I heard one students say, "This isn't a two step problem.  It's more like EIGHT steps!"  LOL!  After that, the students used two online sites and an iPad app to practice telling time to the nearest minute.  One can be accessed at home.  While the students practiced independently, I met with small groups of students to practice telling time to the minute.  There is a worksheet for homework.

Following lunch and outdoor recess, the students will continue their independent work while I meet with small groups.

Cheetahs:  The students read pages 95-101 and listed unknown words.  IN group we discussed the meaning of Yang's fortune in his cookie.  For homework the students need to read pages 101-103 and explain why Yang was relieved o, on a sticky note.

Yellow Jackets:  The children read chapter 10, listed unknown words and noted the similarities between Journey and Grandfather.  In group we discussed chapter 10 focusing on Journey asking how Bloom learned to be a mom and then his mother's phone call and how Journey has changed.  For homework the students need to think about chapter 10 and write a diary entry from Journey's point of view.

Snakes:  The students independently reread their book and located the answers to the questions in the back of their book.  They marked the text that answered the questions with a sticky note.  In group we rehearsed the proper wording for the answers to these questions.  Often this group has the right idea but their written answers are awkward.  For homework the students need to reread the book working on fluency.

To end our day, we read part of an article and had a discussion about using natural resources to dye cotton material.  Students seemed excited by this discussion because we will be creating and testing a plan to use natural resources to dye a square of cotton material.  I have posted an OPTIONAL assignment/activity on Edmodo that ties into this.