Mathematicians
In math, students are learning about patterns, even and odd numbers and counting up and back on the number grid. We are also learning about the frames and arrows routine as a way of finding patterns in numbers as well. Students also explored various math games that promote fluency of addition facts and number sense. Please continue to review writing numbers to 120 beginning with any number. Also, continue to review addition facts to 10 in order to improve fluency of these facts.
Readers
We have begun learning the Thinking Strategy Synthesizing: This is where readers listen to the text, think about all the little ideas or clues that help give them a bigger picture in their minds. Readers combine what they already know with new information to create a new understanding. Synthesizing is like putting the pieces of a puzzle together so you can see the “BiG” picture.
Readers are also learning what makes a good retelling. Students are learning that readers include the setting, the names of the characters and significant events in order when they retell. Students are also learning the strategy “say something” this week. After students read a page with a partner, students are encouraged to say something they wondered, are reminded of or noticed about the story. If students have nothing to say, students are then asked to reread the passage in order to think more critically about the passage. Students also continue to review explore the sound for short u and high frequency words throughout the week.
Writers
Students are continuing to focus on personal narratives or “small moment” stories. Our focus throughout this week has been on the following:
- sharing their work with a writing partner in order to improve the quality of their writing.
- learning how to touch each page prior to writing as a way to plan their stories.
- understanding how to write a story sequence.
We have also begun the publishing process and writers have begun to publish one of their small moment pieces. These will be on display outside our room.
Scientists
As scientist we explored cranberries in many different ways. We bounced them to determine if they were fresh, we flooded a bog to see how cranberries are harvested, and we strung cranberries together to make a cranny and used them to measure different objects.
Historians
As historians we have been learning about native americans and pilgrims. We have discovered how things were different long ago, and some ways that they are similar. Students learned how native americans made dug out canoes, instruments and how they used symbols to communicate through writing. They have learned about chores, homes, and games that native american and pilgrim children had.
