Publishing our Stories

We have spent the last few weeks reviewing all of the steps to write a good story. This week we focused on editing and many students began typing their stories. Next week, as students print out their pages, they will work on their illustrations. Finally, we will bind their stories to complete the publishing process. I plan on having the students read their stories aloud and post movies of their stories when we are all finished. I am so proud of the hard work your children are putting forth! Way to go young authors!

Monster Munch, Number Hunt, & Writer's Workshop

Today was full of activities. One of the highlights was wrapping up our Where the Wild Things Are activities. First we did a following directions activity where the students had to color certain monsters certain colors and add certain details. Then, we made Monster Munch with rat toes, bug eyes, dried worms, and ant eggs. The children brought home recipes so you can make it at home, too!

During math we discussed how numbers are all around us. The children went on a hunt around the room and recorded in their math notebooks where they saw numbers in our classroom. Some students were detectives finding numbers on the clock, calendar, thermometer, their pencil, number line, and much more! Then, we played number bingo! It was a great way to practice reading numbers 1-31. Students worked in small groups and took turns locating the numbers on their game boards.

We also talked about the various stages of writing. Then we had Writer's Workshop. We spent the first 5 minutes writing with no talking. It was a great way to get our thoughts together, and write and draw what we were thinking about. Then we spent about 15 minutes working with our friends, talking about what we were writing, and illustrating. Then we spent the last 5 minutes sharing. One table got to share their work. After each student shared, the others gave them "horrays!" (a.k.a. compliments). Our classmates were so kind to each other. The children were already looking forward to next week to continue working on what they were writing.

Would you rather be an eagle or a whale?

This week in math we discussed asking questions and ways students could represent the data (using tally marks, numbers, pictures, or words). Students worked on conducting their own surveys and explaining what they learned. They really enjoyed coming up with their own questions and surveying their friends.

During writer's workshop, we worked on "Expert Writing." Students first came up with lists of things that they were really good at. Then, they chose one thing they were good at and wrote an explanation as to how to do it. Your children are experts at lots of things! They really did a good job writing!

Pattern Block Pictures

After exploring and practicing creating pictures with pattern blocks yesterday, today students used up to 20 blocks to create a picture. Then, I took a photo of each child and they recorded how many of each shape they used. Finally, they glued their recording sheet and photo into their science notebook. Can you guess which shape your child used the most of?

This week are working on writing fiction stories during Writer's Workshop. We are focusing on using fancy words (adjectives), beginning each sentence with a capital letter and ending with punctuation, and adding details.

Our comprehension skill this week is retelling the beginning, middle, and end of the story. We are also reviewing setting.