Reading Across Genres to Learn About a Topic
Students learned that readers understand their books by making connections between fiction and nonfiction books on the same topic. We also reviewed how to compare and contrast two books on the same topic. Students worked with a partner to chose and read two books, then used a Venn Diagram to organize their ideas, writing about what is the same and what is different about the books.
Math
Addition (with and without regrouping) using numbers beyond 40
Last week our class practiced counting, comparing, ordering, and making number patterns with numbers past 40. This week students used what they had learned to help them begin adding with larger numbers. We reviewed how to add with and without regrouping. Students are using place value materials (place value chart, tens, ones, hundreds) to help them add 2-digit numbers.
Writing
Report Writing
Each student is publishing their first animal report and will be ready to present their writing to the class next week. Some of the students have started working on their second report using the research from home. The second animal report is an opportunity for students to independently write a report while following the writing process.
Social Studies
What do families need and want?
This week students were introduced to a new Social Studies question to help us learn about needs and wants. Students drew pictures of things that families buy, then shared their work with the class. We organized their ideas into four groups: food, clothing, shelter, other. Our class learned that some things we need to have (needs) and other things we don't need, but would like to have (wants).
Next the students thought about family vacations and the things they bring with them when they're away from home. In groups of three, students started planning an imaginary camping trip. I asked the class to imagine they were camping in a place with no houses or stores nearby. Students worked together to brainstorm what they would need to bring: food, clothing, shelter, wants. Each group created a triarama to present to the class. Students drew pictures of shelter needs, food needs, clothing needs, and wants to add to their triarama.
Have a good weekend!
- Ms. Allison