Reading Workshop:
For the past few weeks, during reading workshop, we have been learning how to visualize by closing our eyes and making a mind movie, stopping after a descriptive part and jotting down what we see, and using the clues in the text to make a picture in your mind. By using these strategies, the students were able to effectively create detailed sketches to make their reading more meaningful. Next week we will begin to make inferences. When inferencing, the students will be asked to think about what the character in their book is doing, saying, and thinking. Inferencing is Inspiring!!!
Writing Workshop:
The students have been living a writer's life!!! We are actively involved in the revision part of the process. The students have learned how to write a lead that will hook the reader in. They were able to use either a dialogue, question, or setting lead for their story. I was so impressed with the student's ability to take what they learned during the mini-lesson and incorporate those skills during independent writing time. We are currently working on "show don't tell" and played a game on the smartboard called "Guess The Emotions" to solidify the importance of showing the reader what is happening, rather then just telling them. Next week we will also focus on story endings by creating an emotional or feeling ending.
Math:
Room 15 loves math!!! We are currently adding numbers, but trying different strategies to add such as partial sums and compensation. These are two challenging strategies; however the children have embraced the challenge and been very successful. I am continuously wowed by the student's desire to learn new things and understand the way numbers work. They are getting a deeper understanding of numbers and enjoying the process. Next week we will continue addition and play a variety of games to reinforce taught skills.
Social Studies:
The students have been learning about geography and map skills. We played a fun game on nationalgeographickids. com called "Copycat." It is a memory game based on the continents. The children had a blast. Also, check out you tube and type in continents and oceans song. There is a fun rap by higher learning that teaches the children the names of the seven continents and four oceans. They absolutely loved bopping to the beat! Next week we will focus on the presidential election. We will be looking at a political cartoon during shared reading and also discussing the candidates and the jobs they do. It is so important that our children know about the president and the role they play in making our country the best that it can be!
Science:
Science continues to be sensational with Mrs. Oddo! The children are immersed in their matter unit and love doing experiments in the science lab. Yesterday the students were challenging to test different balls for bouncability. Interestingly, the children learned that a golf ball bounced the highest against a wooden ball, tennis ball, and a wiffle ball. It is so amazing to see the children captivated by the "Wows" that science has to offer. We can't wait to see what Mrs. Oddo does next week!
Upcoming Events:
Whole Foods Trip- Monday, October 22nd
Please have your child wear their Jericho t-shirt! The trip is in the morning, so we will be back for our regular lunch period.
Great Websites for Learning:
www.aplusmath.com
www.mathplayground.com
www.aaamath.com
www.mathcats.com
Please feel free to post a comment! Have a wonderful weekend!
The Cutest Kids Around!!!
