(pictures of animals made in art last week)
On Monday we went on our field trip to the Museum of the Earth with our partner class from Northeast Elementary School. Before the trip we role played what it would be like to ride the bus next to our buddy and how to ask questions that require more than a "yes" or "no" answer to help keep the conversation going. We also had a goal to find at least three things that we both liked before we arrived at the museum.
When we got there we split into two groups and took turns completing a scavenger hunt (look for a copy of it coming home with the Friday hand-outs) and a presentation by Samantha Sands in which students got to handle many fossils and learn about different kinds of dinosaurs. We got to ride the bus to Northeast so our students could see what their school looked like, and then at the end of the day the bus dropped us off first so the other students could see what Belle Sherman looked like. Thank you to all the family members who took time out of their day to join us there.
Scroll down to see pictures and hear student reflections on the experience. Next week we will try to have a webchat with Samantha to ask some follow-up dinosaur questions and she will come to our school to deliver a copy of Digging Up Dinosaurs by Aliki for every student!
The trickiest part of the math this week was when we gathered data and then had to find the range (the difference between the highest and lowest numbers) and the middle point between those numbers. We used a 100 chart and looked at shortcuts to find the range, like each row = a group of 10. Friday's homework includes practice for this concept.In reading we practiced making a prediction, checking to see if it was correct (or partially correct), and then finding the evidence that the prediction was based on. Students did a great job using this strategy to improve their comprehension, and using a sticky note and pencil as tools to record their thinking. Next week we will practice looking at word endings to improve our accuracy (works vs. worked vs. working) and illustrating/writing the main parts of the story to improve our comprehension. We also made bookmarks this week to help us remember which book we were reading last and what page we were on. I am trying to have students pick out a few books to read to someone outside of school at least once each week. Thanks for getting the book envelopes back to school in a timely manner so we can send new books home! Please use the notes page to share any feedback about the level of difficulty of the books and the attitude/effort/level of success you see from your child.
We are also working on keeping sharing a time for storytelling and not merely "show and tell." PLEASE remind your child that he/she can bring in an artifact, souvenir, picture or other prop that supports the story they want to tell, but that this is not a time to just show a toy and say "I think this is cool." We are trying to develop good listening and speaking skills. We are also building our classroom community by helping students get to know each other better and feel safe opening up to each other. I do not want anyone to feel like they have nothing to share if they don't have an expensive/new toy, or for it to deteriorate into oneupsmanship.
For ideas on how you can help prepare your student for a successful sharing/storytelling experience, please see this online article from the Responsive Classroom program - the workshop series I am attending one day a week for the next several weeks. Thank you for your support. Also please continue the conversations we have been having about sitting next to different people when we sit in a circle for morning meeting and snack/sharing. I will be assigning students to new seats at the tables over the weekend, too.
Finally, thank you for all of the birthday cards and treats this week! It was really fun to celebrate with the class on Thursday. Enjoy these pictures from recent choice time and the birthday snack:
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