We had a busy week with a lot of tech time!
In writing, students are working on their personal narratives on Google Docs. This allows us to add COLOR to our writing (dialogue, action, five senses, and thoughts) as well as to try the "show, don't tell" strategy, without rewriting our whole story. Today, we focused on writing a strong lead that hooks the reader. Students used a checklist to try out a new lead and will continue to improve their stories next week. We read samples and helped Mrs. Kalich continue to revise her personal narrative, and looked for inspiration for our own stories through reading, acting, and drawing.
We also used computers during reading! Our Native American tribe notes are being transferred into Google Slideshows! Mrs. Kalich shared a template to use. Partners are typing 3 facts (or more) from their notes onto their slideshows. We learned about the main idea versus details, and decided how to put our notes into our own words so that they make sense on the slide. We also determined what nonfiction text features would make sense to use on different slides. For example, many students requested maps for their Location slide, or photos of detailed dresses for their Clothing slide.
Today, we completed an hour of code, a fun activity that introduces students to the world of programming. The Hour of Code activities can be found under the student tab on the Franklin web site. Students had a blast figuring out how to code different actions, and persevered when things didn't work or were confusing. They also showed great problem-solving skills!
In math, we did not use computers :), but we did enjoy learning more about perimeter and area. We reviewed how to add up the frame or outside of a shape to find the perimeter. Then, we completed a task about painting a wall, and wondered about how to calculate the space inside of a shape. The next day we learned about AREA, or the square units inside of a shape. We approached both perimeter and area using graph paper, tiles, straws, and pattern blocks. All of our hard work on area and perimeter will help us with a project next week: Designing our Dream Houses!
For social studies, we worked on a timeline of important inventions, which we organized in chronological order. Students enjoyed learning about the invention of the lightbulb, zipper, and compact discs ("What are those?"..."OH, like instead of iTunes!"). We also started presenting our amazing personal timelines, which show important events from our lives. We love hearing and sharing one another's histories!
We finished Matilda, and started reading a new novel: Frindle by Andrew Clements. Students are making great connections between the two texts, and between the books and their own lives (they especially enjoy comparing their own teachers to the teachers in each book!)
Have a great weekend!!!
-Mrs. K
In writing, students are working on their personal narratives on Google Docs. This allows us to add COLOR to our writing (dialogue, action, five senses, and thoughts) as well as to try the "show, don't tell" strategy, without rewriting our whole story. Today, we focused on writing a strong lead that hooks the reader. Students used a checklist to try out a new lead and will continue to improve their stories next week. We read samples and helped Mrs. Kalich continue to revise her personal narrative, and looked for inspiration for our own stories through reading, acting, and drawing.
We also used computers during reading! Our Native American tribe notes are being transferred into Google Slideshows! Mrs. Kalich shared a template to use. Partners are typing 3 facts (or more) from their notes onto their slideshows. We learned about the main idea versus details, and decided how to put our notes into our own words so that they make sense on the slide. We also determined what nonfiction text features would make sense to use on different slides. For example, many students requested maps for their Location slide, or photos of detailed dresses for their Clothing slide.
Today, we completed an hour of code, a fun activity that introduces students to the world of programming. The Hour of Code activities can be found under the student tab on the Franklin web site. Students had a blast figuring out how to code different actions, and persevered when things didn't work or were confusing. They also showed great problem-solving skills!
In math, we did not use computers :), but we did enjoy learning more about perimeter and area. We reviewed how to add up the frame or outside of a shape to find the perimeter. Then, we completed a task about painting a wall, and wondered about how to calculate the space inside of a shape. The next day we learned about AREA, or the square units inside of a shape. We approached both perimeter and area using graph paper, tiles, straws, and pattern blocks. All of our hard work on area and perimeter will help us with a project next week: Designing our Dream Houses!
For social studies, we worked on a timeline of important inventions, which we organized in chronological order. Students enjoyed learning about the invention of the lightbulb, zipper, and compact discs ("What are those?"..."OH, like instead of iTunes!"). We also started presenting our amazing personal timelines, which show important events from our lives. We love hearing and sharing one another's histories!
We finished Matilda, and started reading a new novel: Frindle by Andrew Clements. Students are making great connections between the two texts, and between the books and their own lives (they especially enjoy comparing their own teachers to the teachers in each book!)
Have a great weekend!!!
-Mrs. K