Here's an update from last week's learning.
Circle words: "are" and "do"
We finished reviewing our Alphafriends songs one more time before we packed them up in preparation of our upcoming move.
Students were all given an Alphafriends book with the songs in them. During rest or reading, they are given the chance to read, highlight letter sounds and look for circle words they know.
Room #7 is also learning how to listen for letter sounds and to break down words into patterns or parts. The pattern we’ve been studying is the –at ending in words, such as cat, bat.
This week the brain growers of Room #7 learned a lot about Dr. Martin Luther King and how powerful words can be. We introduced a new word to help them continue to grow their growth mindset: Empathy! After hearing the definition, we also read Leonardo the Terrible Monster, by Mo Willems (Mrs. Quinn's all-time favorite children’s author). We will continue talking about empathy and the importance of understanding how others feel.
In Reader's Workshop students continued to build their stamina and use their super reader powers as they tried new books with new words. They were given book marks that remind them of these powers and to use them as they read.
- Pointer Power!
- Sound Power!
- Reread Power!
- Partner Power!
- Picture Power!
- Snap Word Power! (reading circle words in a snap)
- Persistence Power! (or perseverance)
In writing, the kiddos have finished their pattern books and are learning how to write true life narrative stories. They are practicing how to plan their writing by verbally listing 5 ideas as they count with their fingers on one hand.
for example:
I went to Target
I went to the playground
I made dinner with my parents
I played a game with my friend
I took swimming lessons
Once they can list these ideas, they pick one to write about in three pages. For example:
On Friday, I went to Target
I was with my mother and sister.
We bought groceries. It was fun.
Students are learning to generate ideas and how to tell these true life stories as they add people, places, things and remember other important rules in writing:
- Spaces between words
- Write a little, read a little (to ensure no words are left out)
- Label Lines – draw a line from your picture and label it!
- Drawing unique pictures – making sure they match the words and the reader can tell!
- Drawing detailed drawings – drawing body parts, background, and showing movement!
Math: This entire week we focussed on equations and how there are several ways to come up with the same number. We learned the number 8 can be written:0+8=8, 1+7=8, 2+6=8, 3+5=8, 4+4=8, and reverse. Students were introduced to a new math tool called a rekenrek (arithmetic rack) and how these counting beads can help with figuring out math equations. We then read a story called The Sleepover by Catherine Twomey Fosnot. Here is a youtube link of the story being read. if you want to watch with your child. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdPOz6ruYrw&feature=youtu.be
Students worked with partners and played several games with bunk bed mats, counting people, and mini rekenreks to explore equations using numbers 3-9. We will continue this work this week as well as practice with subitizing (instantly seeing how many).
We also had special visitors this week: Mrs. Quinn and Amelia came in Thursday before dismissal! She answered questions and read a story. The kids were very excited to see them. What a treat!
We had All School Meeting Friday too. We listened to the third grade present about their hopes and dreams in dedication to MLK. The fifth graders then sang four songs and did a wonderful job. Room 7 kiddos were well attended and enjoyed it very much.