Author's Purpose

Two activities brought the students' understanding of author's purpose to a deeper level.

The first activity is an adapted version of a Skittles activity I saw on Pinterest. Ms. Gros had to change it a bit because fun size packs of Skittles are a seasonal item -- who knew???

Anyway, she bought M&Ms and they worked just as well. Each student received a bag and had to write a few sentences to Persuade, Inform, and Entertain. 

 

The next day, student pairs were given a random object (such as a greeting card, toothbrush, stuffed animal, Pez dispenser, tote) and an author's purpose. Using their object, the pairs wrote according to their purpose. When each pair was complete, they read their writing and the class had to determine what their purpose for writing (persuade, inform, entertain) was.

 

 

Fractions and Compare/Contrast

We focused on identifying fractions of a set and of a whole for the first week. One activity was to sort jelly beans according to its color and find the fraction of each color. Once fractions were written, the students created individual and group graphs of their jelly bean colors.

 

During week 2, we focused on comparing, ordering, and equivalent fractions. I found an amazing resource that includes a 4-day lesson on these skills. 

We started the week with an activity from Illuminations. The students used egg cartons to review finding fractions of a set and then discovered equivalent fractions.

Fraction strips were another manipulative used to find equivalent and compare fractions.

 


In Reading, we addressed comparing and contrasting. Ms. Gros had each student blindly choose a name of an animal that was written on a piece of paper. Then, they paired up, drew a Venn diagram, and compared and contrasted their chosen animals.

We finished reading Ramona Quimby, Age 8 and began Ramona the Brave.  A Venn diagram has been started to compare and contrast the two books.

Holiday Centers

We had an AMAZING last day before break!!

At the beginning of the week, we read The Polar Express and completed sequencing, vocabulary, and graphing activities. To close this unit, we watched the movie while enjoying hot chocolate and gingerbread cookies. After the movie, the students filled in a Venn diagram comparing and contrasting the book and movie. A two paragraph composition was written from the Venn diagram.

The afternoon consisted of holiday centers that the students rotated through while listening to music.

At this center, the students covered an ice cream cone with green icing, placed sprinkles on it, and put a gumdrop at the top.

Students are solving subtraction problems and coloring the picture according to the difference at this center.

Students colored, cut, and glued pieces onto a paper plate to make an elf.

At this center, students put peanut butter on a slice of bread, cut it diagonally, placed 2 chocolate chips as eyes, 1 red hot for a nose, and 2 pretzels for antlers to make a reindeer.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

Wolf Stories

Last week, we studied fantasy. Our story, Wolf!, is about a wolf that comes across a unique farm. This farm is for educated animals, and when he sees the other animals reading he is inspired. Through hard work and practice, the wolf becomes a good reader. 

Two writings were incorporated with this story. First, the students researched wolves using A-Z Animals. Bubble maps were filled in with wolf facts.

From the bubble maps, the facts were organized onto a Flee map and then written as a final copy.

Then, the students were given the prompt "Once upon a time I saw a wolf" and instructed to write a story.

Their imaginations really shined during this writing! Please take a minute to visit their blogs and experience their creativity. Also, they LOVE comments!! :)

 

Particles, Apple Turn-Overs, Family Night, and Pen Pals

I have a lot to share about this past week!

In Science, we discovered how particles are arranged in solids, liquids, and gases and how heat affects its movement.

Each group of students received 3 petri dishes with popcorn kernels. One  dish was completely filled (solids), one was semi-filled (liquids), and one contained a few kernels (gas). They observed the movement of kernels (particles) by gently shaking the dishes.

In Reading, we read Johnny Appleseed and watched an animated e-book that was accessed through our local library. As a class, we wrote a summary that included characters, setting, and plot. 

Here comes the fun part...the next day. Each student made an apple turn-over. 

First, the students flattened their biscuit. Then, they added butter to one side and dipped the buttered side in a cinnamon-sugar mixture. Next, an apple slice was placed in the middle and the biscuit was folded over the apple slice. Finally, the turn-overs were baked for 10 minutes at 400 degrees. Time to enjoy! 

Upon returning to class, the students wrote about making turn-overs. We outlined our recipe by completing a Flee Map. The recipe was written as a story using the Flee Map. You can read some of their writings at our class blog. Feel free to leave a comment. Students love reading them!!!

This is the first year that my class will have pen pals! Our pen pals are 3rd graders from a school in Wisconsin. Here is a picture of the students with letters from their pen pals.

After reading their letters, the students busily began responding. They are so excited to meet someone from another state and cannot wait to hear from them!! Here is a picture with their letters to their new friends.

In addition to all the fun we were having during class, we also had fun after school. Our school held a Family Skate Night at the local skating rink.

We had a wonderful turn-out! Teachers, kids, and parents really enjoyed this evening of fun!!!