Getting Super Smart about Nonfiction Topics
This week we learned that after tackling a tricky word, it's important to do a slow check to make sure the word is correct. We focused on paying close attention to endings (-s, -es, -ing, -ed).
Next, I shared that readers don’t only learn how to sound out new words, they also try to find out what the words mean. During partner reading, students wrote down new words from their books and practiced using information from the book to help them think about what the words mean. We also worked on looking up words in the glossary and dictionary to learn more about them.
How to Write Teaching Books
During writing, we focused on how to teach our readers by thinking about questions they might have about our topics. Writers can think to themselves, "Who am I teaching? How will I reach my readers?"
Students completed a question and answer chart by asking their classmates, "What questions do you have about my topic?" After writing the questions, they did their best to answer the questions using what they know about their topic and took time to add new information to their books.
Students were also reminded that nonfiction writers teach using pictures as well as words. When drawing pictures, they are practicing adding details, such as arrows, labels, captions, and zooming in.
Addition within 20
During math, we are learning more about addition and how to add numbers within 20. When solving an addition problem, it's important for students to tell which strategy they are using and explain how they are finding the answer.
Ways to Add:
- count on (from the greater number)
- make 10
- use double facts
- doubles plus one facts
- add in any order
Air and Weather
This week we focused on wind and the students made their own windsocks. We asked, "How strong is the wind today? How can windsocks be used to observe the wind?"
Anemometer - shows you how fast the wind is blowing
Wind vane - points in the direction from which the wind is coming
Windsock - can be used to help us learn about wind direction and wind speed
- How did the air feel outside?
- Did you feel the air moving?
- Did you see anything that tells you that the air is moving?
- Is the air hot or cold?
- What kind of weather conditions did you see?
Science Vocabulary: meteorologist, weather symbol
Science vocabulary: cumulus, cirrus, stratus
- Ms. Allison