Reading Workshop:
This week students continued to learn strategies to
read nonfiction texts. They learned to teach others about a topic they
are studying by using the main idea and key details. Students practiced
teaching their partners about a topic by: including main idea and details using
their palm and fingers, using a teaching voice, pointing to the illustrations,
and using gestures. They also learned readers talk with others and listen
to grow ideas. After reading a nonfiction magazine article, partners used
conversational prompts to teach each other what they learned about their topic.
They used the following conversational prompts to talk with others and
listen to grow ideas: "I wonder why...," "This makes me
think...," "This makes me realize...," "Maybe it's
because...," "I used to think...but now I understand."
Writing Workshop:
Students continued learning strategies to write
informational books. They learned to elaborate by writing add-on
sentences. Add-on sentences can be added to describe something, explain
something, or give a reason or example. Students tried adding add-on
sentences to their writing to elaborate information in their draft booklets.
Students also learned writers use sequence and transitional words to tell
about their topics. A sequential structure shows how and when things
happen. Students could use a flow diagram, timeline, or cycle to map
sequential facts before writing the information in their draft booklets.
Math:
This week students practiced solving word problems,
word problems, and more word problems! We learned how to solve word
problems with extra information, hidden information and not enough information.
We also reviewed writing first step questions for two step problems and
word problems with reasonable answers. We ended the week writing
equations and solving two step word problems. We will take the Unit 5
assessment on Thursday. The entire test is...you guessed it...word
problems!
Science:
We've placed gravel and "homes" in our
crayfish habitats. Students observed the crayfish each day and noticed
the crayfish like hiding inside the homes. Some of the crayfish have
stayed in or near the same home, which we've called their territory.
Unfortunately we lost another crayfish. We found it in two parts.
We decided to give the largest crayfish his own home since we think he
was the culprit of trying to eat the smaller crayfish. We also took a
closer look at our plants we've grown with hydroponics. Students
completed a CER--Claim, Evidence, Reasoning to state their thinking and support
their thinking with evidence. A study guide will go home with your child
on Tuesday. We will take our Structures of Life Unit Test when we return
from spring break.
Alex was our fabulous Star of the Week! We
loved learning more about Alex in her parent letter. We even heard a
funny story about this April Fool's baby! The class also enjoyed Alex's
sharing sack items and her read aloud. Alex enjoyed a special lunch
with her dad too! Many students lined up to get Mr. Miller's autograph
because he is "Michigan's Strongest Man of the Year."
Mystery Readers:
This week we welcomed four special mystery readers.
Students enjoyed listening to the great stories they chose to read to our class!
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| Abigail's Mom |
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| Allison's Dad |
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| Audrey's Dad |
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| Jack's Dad |
March is Reading Month Activities:
Mrs. Brzezinski visited our classroom so that we
could add to the progressive story being written by all classrooms at Hill.
We had fun brainstorming ideas for this creative story and loved hearing
how the story turned out! The class loved our "Cozy Read-In"
afternoon! They were very creative turning their blankets into forts all
around the classroom. Some students enjoyed a book swap in the LGI.
It was fun for students to trade in "old books" for "new
books." Our class also read with Ms. Hartley's kindergarten class.
They enjoyed reading with their little buddies.
