FIRST FALL FRIDAY!!
1st Grade LA
Concepts of Connections: This week we worked on the idea of
word connections.
We started our Monday reading the “Graphic Alphabet”, a book that uses an
object’s picture to make the letter. The students really enjoyed trying to
figure out what the picture was based on the letter we were on. Some of them
were tricky, but they got them!!! We also did a fun card/word activity where
students were given a card and had to find the word connection to go with it.
An example, I gave a student a yellow card with the word ice cream on it, she
then had to find a pink card that connected with it, ‘cone’. They did fantastic
on it! We also made a list of NON-connections, such as: snake-door,
bat-swimming pool, magnet-wood.
Next week we will start to put together our ‘Coat of Connections’. I
can’t wait to learn more about my amazing 1st graders!! Thank you
parents for getting the packets back so quickly!!
2nd Grade LA
Concept of Connections: Second grade also studied the topic of
connections. We did a connection word activity where the students were grouped
into 3s and given a sheet of connection words, such as: thunder/lightning,
mom/dad, school/playground and had to group them into categories. We then looked at observations or
generalizations of connections, an example being, connections show a
relationship among objects, places, ideas, and people. We came up with examples
for the three connection generalization.
Next week we will be listening/reading the poem Eldorado by Edgar Allan Poe. We will learn about and use a Reading
Analyzer along with using a Venn diagram to compare/contrast a picture of a
knight with poem Eldorado.
3rd Grade LA
Concept of Change: Unlike 1st and 2nd
grade, 3rd grade worked on the concept of change (to make or become
different). The students were able to independently brain storm some examples
of change, such as weather, seasons and the universe. After sharing some of their amazing examples
I grouped the students up so they could then put their examples into categories. Not as easy as it sounds, this took A LOT of
communication, patients, and listening to their group member’s thoughts &
ideas!! We also came up with some NON-Change examples, such as a given number,
length, and value.
Last, we discussed and came up with examples of Generalizations of
Change. There are 5 generalizations, a
couple examples being, change is everywhere and change can be systematic or
random.
Next week we will read and share myths from different cultures in order
to construct a definition for the myth genre.
4th Grade LA
4th grade schedule was a little off this week because of Camp
Goodfellow, therefore not all of my students were with me both days. 4th
grade, like 3rd grade worked on the Concept of Change. Independently the students came up with
example of change, once they had a sufficient number of examples I split them
into 2 groups and had them place their examples into categories on butcher
paper. This took some impressive communication skills, and they DID IT!!! My 4th graders are an awesome
group, I absolutely adore them!!
Next week we will be going over changes in vocabulary, the English
language is constantly changing. The students will gather information about
Greek and Latin word parts then apply that knowledge to determine word meanings.
ALL MATH
This week ALL math grades did a preview test. This preview test allows me
to see where students are before beginning our unit. I went over each test as a
class so there were no misunderstandings. I assured them that if they did not
know the answer, writing a question mark was completely fine at this time. At the end of the unit, we will again take
the same test and they will be amazed at the improvement! I use the "preview test" also as a
way to group students. Students who are
at the same level of understanding may be paired together. I will hold onto their tests for now and send
them home with the post-test after we are finished. They worked hard! Each gave their personal best on it and I
appreciate it.The plan was to finish them ALL this week, but with Camp Goodfellow in 4th grade and field trips in 3rd grade,
we will be finishing them next Wednesday. Then on to the FUN STUFF!!!!!!!
Have an amazing weekend!!!
