What are we doing?
Social Studies:
Students are creating a Michigan picture book explaining how Michigan was formed, and how the glaciers helped shape our unique landscape. Students are also using the reading strategy visualization to help illustrate their books.
Reading/Science:
We are learning how to read non-fiction text, by asking questions. Students are being taught to use the different text features in non-fiction, and they are learning how to ask questions before, during, and after reading.
We have been practicing our silent reading routine and procedures, and the students are doing AWESOME! They are very independent during this time of the day!
Several students have already begun to fill in their genre bingo cards. Mrs. Swales and I have modeled how to fill out the forms, and stressed the importance of neatness, correct spelling, and thoroughness of answers, expecting students to explain their answers using examples from the text they are reading.
Math:
We are reviewing third grade math, discussing specific vocabulary, and we are teaching students test taking skills. We hope in doing this it will help ease anxiety during the MEAP.
Along with review, we have introduces polygons, perimeter, area, graphing and we have also practiced how to use a ruler appropriately.
Writing:
I love this part of the day! We are free writing, and having students write to prompts so we can see where they are as writers. Part of the free writing, is to help students build writing endurance.
Students are filling their notebooks with seed ideas, so they have topics to write about. We will be writing the stories of our lives this year and I think this will be a very reflective time for some children.