Fabulous Friday - Progress Reports

This morning, after watching the announcements, we began our literacy block.

While I met with guided reading groups the students completed independent reading group tasks.  Then they finished and submitted their story map organizer for the realistic fiction book.  Finally, they watched a Learn Zillion lesson about adding dialogue to writing.  The second time viewing the lesson they took notes in their writing journal about the review and core lesson.

Orange:  We discussed examples from the text that supported the themes of friendship and acceptance.  Then I modeled, and the students copied, how to name and explain an example, that we discussed, in writing.  Independently, the students added another example.  We also took a word work quiz.  We will begin a new story and get new word work words on Monday.

Pink:  Independently the students reread chapter 9.  In their RRJ they named and explained two examples, from the story, that supported the themes of friendship and acceptance.  In group we discussed the themes and examples from the book.  Then the students drew a line of learning, and with my help, revised their written response. We also took a word work quiz.  Finally, the students handed in their books.  On Monday we will begin a new story and start a new word work unit.

Green:  Independently the students reread chapter 7 and marked paces that were important, surprising, and confusing.  In their RRJ, they explained, using specific details, why Little Willy couldn't sleep, as stated on page 61.  In group we discussed theme as being a lesson the author wants us to learn through reading his book.  We identified understanding what the character learns, how they acts and change as ways to determine the theme. Then we discussed why Little Willy couldn't sleep and the students had a chance to revise their writing.  Finally, we took a spelling test.  We will continue with this novel next week and begin a new word work unit on Monday.

Blue: Independently the students reread pages 201-208 and, in their RRJ,  identified a theme and used specific details from the story to support it.  In group we reviewed theme as being a lesson the author wants us to learn through reading his book.  We identified understanding what the character learns, how they acts and change as ways to determine the theme. Then we discussed both the ending of the book (important and surprising events) and the themes of the book.  Finally, we took a spelling test.  We will begin a new story and a new word study unit on Monday.

After our literacy block the students enjoyed indoor recess and lunch.

When they returned to class we took some time to organize the classroom and their baskets.  I also distributed PROGRESS REPORTS.  These are yours to keep.  This is not a report card but an update of how your child is doing this marking period.  Please keep in mind we spend the first half of the marking period on science.  We are now switching our focus to social studies.  That's why there are no grades in that section.

During math we played a game of fraction Jeopardy.  It was a fun and lively way to brush up n the math topics we have been studying this marking period.  We will resume rotations on Monday.

After math we shared homework writing journal entries.

After that we had our weekly class meeting.  First we all shared one thing we like about third grade.  Then we exchanged thank yous and compliments.  Finally we continued our study of Growth Mindset using Class Dojo.  We watched a video called, "The Magic of Mistakes" and then we discussed how making mistakes can make us smarter.  To culminate a great discussion, the students performed quick skits about making mistakes...so cute!