Even though it was a short week I feel like we accomplished a lot! We were busy with our first writing samples of the year. I am looking forward to reading all about the life experiences the kids have chosen to write about. Writing samples are done twice a year and they are a good indication for both teachers and students to see their strengths and areas of improvements when writing. We have started to “Tune In” to our Migration unit of inquiry. The students did a picture walk in partners looking at different images of people migrating. There were many discussions about what was happening in the pictures and why the pictures were taken. In the coming week students will hear migration stories from the teachers. Our next step after the teacher stories will be the students/families migration stories so expect some questions about the past!
We have started another read a loud in the class. The students voted on another R.L. Stine book from the Goosebumps series. “The Blob that Ate Everyone” is making some of us actually have goosebumps while reading it!
I enjoyed meeting most of you at the Open House last week. If you were unable to attend we can meet another time just send me an email to arrange a time.
If you are a fan of Fergie from the Black Eyed Peas or you are an avid reader you will love this utube clip! I have listened to it a few too many times already! Enjoy the music and listen carefully to the words they are great!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6D9jiEYxzs
I found this great web site called Reading is Fundamental. There are links to interesting articles for parents and educators on different topics such as motivating kids to read, choosing a good book, literacy rich environments, and book recommendations. There are also a number of age appropriate activities for children. If you have a moment, take some time to explore the web site. I just realized that inside the word FUNDAMENTAL is the word FUN! What a great way to introduce it to the kids!
http://www.rif.org/
Just a reminder that Open House is on Aug. 25th. I will be giving a short talk about the class and our routines and then you will have some time to get to know the other parents and take a look around the class. I am looking for a class parent or parents so if you are interested please let me know on the 25th. I will also be looking to sign up parents for “Reading Tuesdays”. Come and read to the class a book of your choice maybe something you read when you were in grade four, or a favorite book from your childhood. The kids love having parents read to them and it gives them a break from their teacher!
I would like to take this opportunity to introduce Richy our class bear. We decided on his name last week and this past weekend was his first visit to a student home! Each weekend Richy will accompany a student home for the weekend. The student is expected to look after Richy and report back to the class. All kids will have the opportunity to take Richy home and write about their experiences with him. When he comes to your home enjoy playing with him, he likes the outdoors and really enjoys cooking!
Most student’s came this morning in their pajamas.
We are definitely enjoying exploring and inquiring in Science. We have conducted several investigations and experiments. We are trying to understand what does it mean to think like a Scientist, what the Scientific Method is and why it is important. Everyone is very excited about this Unit of Inquiry, several students are conducting their own experiments at home and coming back to the classroom to share theire observations and findings. This is wonderful! Next week students will decide on the experiment they will present at the science exhibition, which is scheduled for May 25th. On that day visitors may evaluate the experiments and maybe even learn something new!
mcelhinneyj
