Thrilling Thursday

This morning the students completed the Thursday portion of the vocabulary sheet for our word of the week, annual.  Then, they attempted to solve this week's puzzles or worked on their "Teach the Teacher" project.  After the announcements, we switched for math.

Math began with a "Secret Shape" warm up.  Then, we reviewed the homework from last night.  After that, we began our rotations.

During the small group instruction, we used several different visual representations to classify and name quadrilaterals based on their properties.  During math with a partner, the students chose to play Battle Ship or Multiplication War, again.  During the technology portion, the students completed a session of Xtra Math and then chose between a game linked to the quadrilateral Blendspace or Math Playground.

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 with  writing lesson.

First, we listened to and discussed a poem called, "Over My Toes".  We identified what the poem was about and how the poet used alliteration and repetition in their writing.  During writing time, the children wrote poems using repetition, alliteration, and other poetic devices we have discussed.

Next, the children went to music.

When they returned to class, we ate snack and reviewed the differences between first and second hand accounts of the same event or topic.

Then, the students began working independently while I met with guided reading groups.

First, the read two accounts of the arrival of colonists in the new world and determined which was firsthand and which was second.  They also used examples from the text explaining their answer.  After that, they completed their book club assignment and job for day 7 and met with their group.  Next, they re-watched the screen cast about commas in letters and completed an independent, graded practice activity.  Finally, they used MANY links posted in GC - Social Studies to completed an open note quiz about the 13 colonies.


I met with ALL 3 guided reading groups.  In each group we reviewed the two accounts of the arrival in the new world, and determined which was a firsthand account and which was secondhand.  Then, we used specific characteristics of each to explain how the accounts were different and backed up our thinking with examples from the text.

In the middle of our reading/independent work block we did have a fire drill.

We also had a surprise visit from Mrs. Vassalotti and her new baby, Grant, at the end of the day!