Thrilling Thursday

This morning the students completed the Thursday section of the vocabulary sheet for our word of the week, rarely.  Then, they viewed this week's puzzles and posted their guesses in the comment section of our morning message.  After the announcements, we switched for math.

Math began with a division warm up solving for unknowns in all places.  Then, we reviewed last night's homework.  After that, we began our rotations.

During our small group instruction, we practiced adding and subtracting decimals.  During math with a partner, the students played a board game called, "Race to the Finish" which provided practice with comparing decimals to the thousandths.  Finally, during the technology portion, the children completed a session of Xtra Math, and then chose a game (from GC) to practice comparing decimals.

In between the second and third rotations, the students enjoyed lunch and outdoor recess.

MAth homework is posted in GC.

After math we began our literacy block.  FIrst, we reviewed the problem/soultion text structure as used in non-fiction.  After that, we reviewed how to use the RACER strategy to write a GOOD opinion paragraph.  After talking through the steps, I modeled writing a paragraph for an assignment the students completed earlier in the marking period.

Then, the students went to music.

When they returned to class, theey ate snack and began their independent work.

First, they commpleted the Thursday section of the reading skills page.  Then, they read about polar bears and identified the problem, solution, main idea, and key details.  After that, they read a debate about finding money and returning it, or not.  They also identified three reasons, from the text, to keep the money, and three reasons to return it.  Finally, they continued working on the culminating activity for Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, identifying a theme, a turning point, a simile, and a favorite part or character.

As they worked, I met with guided reading groups.

Green:  We reviewed the Thursday portion of the reading skills page.  Then, we identified the main idea and key detaiuls from the problem/solution text about Polar Bears.  Finally, we did a shared writing of summarizing the problems, and solutions, that polar bears face.

Pink:  We reviewed the Thursday portion of the reading skills page.  Then, we identified the main idea and key detaiuls from the problem/solution text about Polar Bears.  Finally, we did a shared writing of summarizing the problems, and solutions, that polar bears face.

Blue:  We reviewed the Thursday portion of the reading skills page.  Then, we identified the main idea and key detaiuls from the problem/solution text about Polar Bears.  Finally, we did a shared writing of summarizing the problems, and solutions, that polar bears face.

Some students ended the day by learning about the early settlers in Maryland using a web site posted in GC.