November already!!!

FIRST GRADE LANGUAGE ARTS

We worked as a group to finish writing a persuasive paragraph.  Using the rubric for reference, we worked to write a paragraph that convinces readers that all first graders should learn pig latin.  We discussed and included transitional words.  The first graders took home a pig latin packet they can do for fun.  Ave-hay a-way ice-nay ay-day!

SECOND GRADE LANGUAGE ARTS

Everyone did their reading over the weekend, so nobody was banished to the dungeon:)  They need to read chapters 29-33 before Monday.  Please remind them of their HA homework.  The word ominous is in chapter 31.  When they get to that part, they will have a good understanding of what it means in context.  Using a dictionary, we completed a vocabulary map graphic organizer on the word ominous.  They seemed to really enjoy their dictionary lesson.  

THIRD GRADE LANGUAGE ARTS

We had a brief discussion about prepositions and nouns that are objects of prepostions.  The students watched Preposition Rock.  We are moving on to tall tales in our study of folklore.  I read one tall tale to them to introduce the genre.  We will thoroughly discuss tall tales next week.  

FOURTH GRADE LANGUAGE ARTS

The students started researching Anne Frank by reading about her.  They read about her for our entire class period.  

FIRST GRADE MATH

The pictures below show the students playing our review game Grupo.  It was such a productive review session!  Grupo involves finding 4 similarities between shapes that are made up of smaller shapes.  The day after we played Grupo, we took our review to the next level.  The task was to look at a shape and create our own shape that has 4 similarities.  We created a shape that has 5 similarities!   Our next challenge will be to explain ourselves using words.  

SECOND GRADE MATH

Our week started with some review of triangle transformations via sliding, flipping, and turning.  Working in pairs/small groups, the students analyzed a series of transformations.  Taking it to the next level, the students have begun designing their own patterns using two or three different types of shapes.  Some students found that being ambitious with intricate patterns proved too complicated.  By the end of our time together, each student found a manageable pattern that makes good sense.  We will be working with the patterns of their own creation again next week.  

THIRD GRADE MATH

The students worked in pairs/small groups to color in number charts with counting patterns.  After that, they identified at least 3 generalizations about each chart.  They wrote down their geometric and mathematical patterns.  The students really put their heads together to put their observations into words.  As you can imagine, some of the patterns of multiples are much harder to explain than others.  I look forward to having the students share some of their observations with the class.  

FOURTH GRADE MATH 

Last week, the students solved variable puzzles using algebraic thinking.  This week, we worked on using words to explain how that was done.  Explaining ourselves can be challenging at any age.  Explaining mathematical thinking and writing it down is something we work on throughout the year.