update 1-29

Number the Stars has ended.  The kids loved the book and so do I!  We made some cool projects showing what we loved about the books- pictures are below.  The only rule was that the kids had to use file folders.

Now, we will be reading informational text in class and looking at multiple accounts of the same event or topic.  Last week, we read about the 1906 San Francisco earthquake from four different people's points of view.  Also, we read two articles on the computer that were based on the same topic.  This week, we will be in groups reading informational text during class.

For writing, last week we ended with some creative writing to a self-selected prompt or a creative one.  One choice was:  if you were stuck in the tv, which shows would you join?  The kids set goals for themselves as writers which focused on their craft.  Then, they had to highlight to prove they worked on their goals.  See some samples below.

Reading Counts points are due by the end of the quarter- March 16.

update 1-17

We are finally back at school!  We all continue to have to brave through this cold weather.

We started the book Number the Stars after break and will be finishing it tomorrow.  The kids have had chapters read aloud to them along with the option of listening in class.  Everyone has been enjoying it!  It is very action-packed and we have learned a lot about World War 2.  Ask your child to tell you more.  Below is a picture of kids reading the book.

In class, we have been working on stopping and jotting in our readers notebooks.  We also engage in daily discussion regarding the book with predictions, connections, inferring, and visualizing.  Our writing will be focused on the book next week as well along with some games and a culminating project.



The kids set goals for themselves this week in regards to their reading at home.  On Tuesday, each child had to share the book they are reading and the page they are on.  Ask your child about it!  Their google log homework due this Friday is about this book.  Many kids were excited to share with me today about how much they read last night.  It's amazing how setting goals can be so powerful!