Terrific Tuesday - Final Day of Parent Conferences

Today is the final day of parent conferences and it is an early dismissal day.

The students came in this morning and either read quietly, practiced keyboarding skills or exchanged books in the media center.  After that we began our math rotations.  We continued yesterday's activities since our math block was shortened today in order for us to visit the media center.

In small group the students practiced their 8s facts and then used pictures and equations to solve word problems.  We also practiced writing a related fact when given a multiplication or division equation.  (if given a multiplication equation, then we wrote a division equation, and vice versa.)

During math with a partner, the students played the Crazy 8 board game to  help memorize their basic 8s facts or they played Multiplication War.

Finally, during the technology portion the students visited Times Table Grid and worked on the 8s facts.  After completing the facts twice, the students could choose to continue with this site or visit Sumdog and work on basic facts there.

For HOMEWORK the students need to visit the Google Classroom page to view Multiplication Rock - 4 Legged Zoo, twice, and then explain how to solve for an unknown, in the 8s fact family, using the 4s.

After math, we visited the media center where Mrs. Allaire introduced the class to our second quarter inquiry project.  The driving question for the inquiry project is, "What are the relationships between human wants, needs, and the development of technologies?"  Students will research and analyze how a specific tool has changed, based on human wants and needs, due to advancements in technology.

The students ate lunch after visiting the media center and then returned to our classroom.

Next I reviewed today's independent work tasks.  First, the students had to write the final copy of their narrative poem.  Next they needed to complete the simile activity that was assigned yesterday.  After  that, they were given time to review the topic choices for the second marking period inquiry project.  Finally, they were expected to read with a partner, working on fluency and comprehension.

As the students worked independently, I met with some guided reading groups.

Tigers:  First we reviewed the -ai and a__e patterns.  Then I introduced -ea and we searched for words, with the pattern, in the poem, "The First Thanksgiving".  Next we whisper read the poem, working on fluency.  For HOMEWORK the students need to reread the poem twice and illustrate it on the bottom or back of the page.

Panthers:  First, I collected their current poetry books.  Next, I introduced the poem, "Since Hannah Moved Away", and we made personal connections.  After that, we reviewed the -ou pattern and decoded words that included it.  I also reviewed vocabulary, such as, velvet and halibut.  Finally, the children received a copy of the poem and whisper read it.  For HOMEWORK students need to reread the poem, twice, working on fluency.

Leopards:  Students reread the poem, Since Hannah Moved Away".  Then they identified a line of the poem that they liked and explained why they liked it.  For HOMEWORK the students need to reread the poem, and identify and illustrate one line of the poem they liked.  It can be the same one from reading group.  The illustration should be on the bottom or the back of the poem.

Lions:  Students reread the poem, Since Hannah Moved Away".  Then they identified a line of the poem that they liked and explained why they liked it.  For HOMEWORK the students need to reread the poem, and identify and illustrate one line of the poem they liked.  It can be the same one from reading group.  The students need to write the line and illustrate it in their RRJ.

After literacy it was time for dismissal!