Hump Day

We started our day with our weekly class meeting...which we have not been able to have the past couple of weeks due to the weather.  For our group share I showed the class this clip and then gave each child a chance to share their thoughts.  After that, we exchanged thank yous and compliments.  Finally, we discussed two challenges.  The first challenge pertained to the newly implemented personal academic goals.  I explained that I needed their patience and understanding as I figured out how to provide them enough time and support to achieve their goal.  The second spoke to honesty and respect in the classroom.  I will leave it at that.

After our meeting we began our math rotations.  The teacher group practiced counting and labeling fractions and mixed numbers, using thirds and sixths, on a number line showing three wholes.  During guided practice students used a die to create fractions with a denominator of 6 and then drew a model of it and labeled it on a number line.  Finally, during the technology rotation, the children  visited the Internet site, Measurement Game.

For HOMEWORK there is a fraction on a number line worksheet.

During the reading/language arts block, the children worked on independent reading group activities.  They also watched author interviews and perused realistic fiction books, completing a capture sheet, to prepare for the upcoming inquiry project (writing a realistic fiction picture book).  Then they read about heat and light energy for science.  Finally, they worked toward meeting their various personal academic goals.

Before meeting with reading groups I met with students to plan or work on their academic goals.

Fluency:  This group will get pieces of text to read.  I will read the text to the student once.   Then they will reread it and I will time them.  I will then calculate how many words they read er minute.  Next, the child will practice reading the text until they can read it fluently.  They will then return to me and I will time them, reading the text, and calculate words per minute.  We will repeat this process until the goal is met on an initial cold read.

Spelling:  Several members of this group were ready to be tested on their first list.  After taking their test, and passing, they were given a pre-test on a new list.  Again, words they spelled incorrectly were used to create a new list to practice.

Sharks:  We met and reviewed chapter 5.  Specifically, the students were asked to mark sections, in the chapter, that showed the passengers on the El felt scared.  Then we used the examples as we orally answered how people on the train must have felt.  HOMEWORK:  Read chapter 6 and list unknown words on a sticky note.

Following lunch and indoor recess the students continued their independent work while I met with more groups.

Dolphins:  The students reread pages 2-5 and practiced their word bag words , independently.  In group we reviewed the idea that some words have silent consonants.  Then I did a quick book talk for pages 6 through the end.  Then the students whisper read the entire book while I listened in.  We worked on breaking apart multi syllabic words.  For HOMEWORK the children need to reread the entire book and practice reading their word cards.

Cheetahs:  Independently the students read chapter 8 and listed unknown words,  In group we discussed chapter 8.  Specifically we identified how the children's feelings changed because of Dr. Crider's actions.  We also reviewed their lists of unknown words.  For HOMEWORK the children need to read chapter 9 and list unknown words.

Pandas:  Independently the students read chapter 8 and completed vocabulary entries for pact and torture.  Then they drew a picture, using the text, of how Per Garson stacked the gold on the sled.  They described their picture in complete sentences.  In group we reviewed the vocabulary and discussed Peter's feelings at the end oft he chapter when he didn't find the cave.  For HOMEWORK they need to read chapter 9.

We ended the day by using friction to create heat with three materials; chop sticks, an eraser on paper and popsicle sticks.  Then we listed the objects from least to greatest amount of heat produced by friction.  Finally, we analyzed how more heat might have been created.

Due to the impending weather, MCPS has announced we will not have school tomorrow.