UOI: As the students delve further into the UOI, they are beginning to make connections between the ways maps have changed over time, and particular ages of exploration. Today, the students were able to identify a group of explorers that navigated various parts of the world by ships. When they added these explorers to the time line, they realized it was an "age of exploration". The maps provided evidence of the lands discovered.
The students will begin relying on their previously learned skills in how to use informational text features to research. They will also learn ways to skim and scan a text to begin uncovering and recording information about an explorer of their choosing.
The students will begin relying on their previously learned skills in how to use informational text features to research. They will also learn ways to skim and scan a text to begin uncovering and recording information about an explorer of their choosing.
,Math & UOI: As part of the UOI, the students have been looking at mapping skills. Here are the skills they have been working on developing:
- how to identify various locations on a map using a compass rose
- how to use coordinates on a map to find specific locations or points of interest
- how to identify various items on a map using the key legend and symbols
- understand that symbols represents an object or location and has meaning
- how to find maps in an atlas using the tables of contents
- how to read mapping instructions and understand what they are looking for
I think they are ready for an adventure!!!!!
- how to identify various locations on a map using a compass rose
- how to use coordinates on a map to find specific locations or points of interest
- how to identify various items on a map using the key legend and symbols
- understand that symbols represents an object or location and has meaning
- how to find maps in an atlas using the tables of contents
- how to read mapping instructions and understand what they are looking for
I think they are ready for an adventure!!!!!
Math: The children are beginning to see patterns and connections with multiplication and division. They continued working on fact families and learned about "boss" numbers. To further see the connection, they practiced with "Back to the Start". Ask them about it and see if they can explain how it works.
The children discussed and reviewed all the strategies they know how to use when solving multiplication problems. They will continue to use these as we work through multiplication. Here are some examples: arrays, repeated addition, equations, skip counting, & grouping.
The children discussed and reviewed all the strategies they know how to use when solving multiplication problems. They will continue to use these as we work through multiplication. Here are some examples: arrays, repeated addition, equations, skip counting, & grouping.
Literacy: The students are becoming more independent in their ability to decode unknown vocabulary words. During guided reading, they self identified unknown words, recorded them, and found ways to understand the meaning. Here are some things they tried: ask a table mate and talk about it, re-read the sentence and try to look for clues (e.g. is the word a proper noun, is it a city or country?), use a dictionary, or use an atlas to find the location of a particular place or route to better understand the context of the sentence. Although it took a bit of time and effort, the students are finding it is well worth it to understand what they are reading. They are also learning how to become more independent in their searches.
We have fully launched into Word Study. After some introductions on routines, the students are now adding Word Study to their Daily 5 literacy rotation. Much like guided reading, word study is designed to meet the needs of your child at their level. The groupings are based on assessment data that will continually be re-administered and evaluated to be sure the students are working in their developmental zone. Word study is used to help children recognize and use both sound and spelling patterns, as well as, develop word meaning and usage.
We have fully launched into Word Study. After some introductions on routines, the students are now adding Word Study to their Daily 5 literacy rotation. Much like guided reading, word study is designed to meet the needs of your child at their level. The groupings are based on assessment data that will continually be re-administered and evaluated to be sure the students are working in their developmental zone. Word study is used to help children recognize and use both sound and spelling patterns, as well as, develop word meaning and usage.
ICT & Other Stuff: G3 has a dedicated time slot once a week to work on their Weebly blogs. Returning students have been able to jump right in updating and adding new posts. They have also been kind enough to share their knowledge with the new students and assist them setting up and designing their blogs. All students have been introduced to the Weebly app and are beginning to use that as tool to add posts and write reflections.
Genius Hour: Last Friday, the students cashed in on their collective achievement of filling the marble jar. Each day the class works together to transition in a timely manner. They are urged to assist each other in staying on task and show a caring attitude by helping one another. This is all done in an agreed upon amount of time. If they meet their time goal, they earn a marble. However, if they don't, we quickly reflect on what can be done next time to achieve the time goal. This process begun at the start of the school year and the jar was filled last week. They discussed options for their celebration and "genius hour" was chosen where they could design and build something of their choosing. It was simply amazing and delightful to watch their creativity flow. They were all so engaged. Many decided to work together to create "Jakebot", the classroom robot.
Finally, a very Happy Birthday to Luciana & Nelson. We hope your special days were great!
Genius Hour: Last Friday, the students cashed in on their collective achievement of filling the marble jar. Each day the class works together to transition in a timely manner. They are urged to assist each other in staying on task and show a caring attitude by helping one another. This is all done in an agreed upon amount of time. If they meet their time goal, they earn a marble. However, if they don't, we quickly reflect on what can be done next time to achieve the time goal. This process begun at the start of the school year and the jar was filled last week. They discussed options for their celebration and "genius hour" was chosen where they could design and build something of their choosing. It was simply amazing and delightful to watch their creativity flow. They were all so engaged. Many decided to work together to create "Jakebot", the classroom robot.
Finally, a very Happy Birthday to Luciana & Nelson. We hope your special days were great!