Here's what has been happening in our classroom:Reading:
Together, we read a realistic fiction story called Dear Juno where we continued to review and analyze how to find the story structure of a book. We have also been discussing how most fictional stories have a problem in the book and a solution to their problem. Click here to find additional activities for students to work on at home to go along with this story.
Additionally, the students had an opportunity this week to read a non-fiction article called Whose Habitat Is It?. Together, we had a great discussion about how many wild animals have lost their homes due to the fact that people are building houses and roads in their habitats. Click here for additional activities to use with this story at home. Through our discussions, the students have been working on the reading strategies of summarizing the important events in a story and attempting to find the main idea and details of a story.
Throughout the week I've also been individually assessing your child in the areas of fluency and comprehension. Because each of the assessments are taking longer than anticipated (about 30 minutes per child), we will not be starting individual guided reading groups quite yet. In the meantime, the students are utilizing this testing time working on various reading strategies and Daily 5 routines. I thank you for your patience with this process!
Writing:
Our class is really starting to get used to the format and routines our new WEX Writing Program. Over the past couple of weeks we have been learning about the writing concept of focus. Throughout our lessons the students have been learning that when we focus on one moment, setting, sound, or object in our writing, it results in more interesting words, unique perspectives, and surprising fun-to-read details.
The students had a blast setting up their own individual blog site on our classroom blog! Together, we discussed blog rules and regulations of utilizing the blog in our classroom. At school, the students learned how to get into their blog account and record information. At home, each of the students were responsible for writing a short paragraph about themselves. On Friday, I showed the students how they can comment on each other's blogs. Click this link to view your child's blog. Please have them show you how to log in with their name and password. They are welcome to add comments to their classroom blogs at home. We will be utilizing this blog site throughout the year to post information about a good book we have read and to record findings that we learn about during Science and Social Studies time.
Spelling:
Our "Words Their Way" spelling program starts on Monday. Please look for information going home that day regarding student homework. Homework packets are always due on Friday and the final spelling test will be given then too.
Grammar:
Over the past two weeks, the students have been working on determining when they should use a period or an exclamation mark in their sentences. We also have been discussing how in order for a sentence to be considered a complete sentence, it must always contain a subject. During literacy time, the students had fun practicing these skills with the following web pages. Click on these links to view and play the web site games at home: Penguins on Ice and Sink or Swim.
Math:
The students continue to review some of the concepts that they learned already in 2nd grade. Our lessons have involved analyzing data and plotting it into various kinds of graphs, finding equivalent names for a given number, discussing the concept of chance, learning how to utilize our new calculators, and counting money. Unit 1 will conclude this week with a test on Friday.
Social Studies:
We continue to learn about the first inhabitants to Illinois that involve the Paleo, Archaic, Hopewell, Mississippian Mound Builders, and Illini tribes. Through our studies, the students are exploring and comparing their homes, farming, and the contributions and inventions they provided.
