Terrific Tuesday

Today, due to 4th and 5th grade PARCC testing we had another change in our schedule.  This time our lunch and recess was moved to much earlier in the day.

After the morning announcements we began our literacy block.  We quickly reviewed what we had done yesterday, divided into small groups, assigned a side of an issue, researched it, and prepared to debate it with another small group from our class. After that the students were given 15 more minutes to finish preparing for their debate.

Next we began debating the issues.  We got in 3 debates before going to lunch and outdoor recess.

When e returned from recess, we finished the final debate.

After the debates, I explained how we can use the facts and arguments to help us plan an opinion paragraph.  Today, while I met with some reading groups, the students used a graphic organizer to begin planning their opinion paragraph and viewed two video lessons about opinion writing and writing a paragraph.

Pink:  We met and reviewed the Expert Book that will now be their final project for the Genius Hour.  Then I handed out their new book, The Statue of Liberty, and we spent time identifying text features and the reasons why the author may have included each.  For HOMEWORK the students need to read up to page 10 and list unknown words on a sticky note.

Green:  We met and reviewed the Expert Book that will now be their final project for the Genius Hour.  Then I handed out their new book, Building ST. Augustine, and we spent time identifying text features and the reasons why the author may have included each.  For HOMEWORK students need to read pages 2-5 and list unknown words.

Blue:  We met briefly to discuss the Expert Book that will now be the final project for the Genius Hour.  For HOMEWORK the students need to read chapter 7 of their book.

After our literacy block we took a quick snack break and began math.

During math today, the students took the third, and final, MAP-M assessment for the year.  This is the computerized, self-adjusting math test used to help teachers with their planning and instruction.

The MAP-M assessment took the remainder of the afternoon.

HOMEWORK for reading and writing is posted on Google Classroom.  I told the class they would earn no math homework if they put effort into the MAP testing.  So, there isn't any math homework tonight.

PLEASE send a healthy snack tomorrow.  We have a change in schedule due to the lower grades WIMS day.