There's no time to snooze in this class!! In reading, students have been very busy learning the procedures of guided reading groups. More specifically, they have been trained in what to do while others are meeting in their small reading groups. After finishing the "have-to" assignments (word sort, Mountain Language, handwriting, and independent reading), students get to choose additional activities from a large assortment. Such activities include Hot Dots, language arts puzzles, math timed tests (and use of an individual timer!!), rainbow spelling, stamping spelling words, and more...
This week, we'll start a new personal writing assignment. Students will use a Flee Map graphic organizer to organize ideas related around their favorite seasons. Then, they'll draft their paragraphs and conclude with a culminating art project.
Math has kept us very busy as we recently finished place value to the hundreds. Next, we'll be diving into addition with and without regrouping. Before learning the algorithm, students will use manipulatives and base ten blocks to help them understand what regrouping means.
To conclude our study of the changes in the seasonal trees, students first listened to The Seasons of Arnold's Apple Tree. Then, they'll work to finish their painting projects--an apple tree in each season. (Students enjoyed having their hands and arms painted to represent the tree and trunk!!) In addition, they'll test their fine motor skills using KidPix in the computer lab to illustrate seasonal trees.
A unit on matter with experiments using balloons, baking soda, and vinegar, videos on matter, and a classification activity using magazines and glue sticks will help to introduce solids, liquids, and gases within the week.
Whoa! It's sure to be a busy few weeks!
