After reading Adopted by an Owl, we watched this short video clip of the actual Jackson the Owl. Ask your child about the story. It is so good!
This week in reading we have been discussing the importance of being an O.W.L. when you read. You need to slow down and Observe the pictures on the page or in your head, Wonder about the characters, what is going to happen next, or about the content, and Link the book to your life or another book. We practiced this skill in Adopted by an Owl and Owl Moon as a class together. Then, students practiced being and O.W.L. in their own books. Soon, we will take some time to use chalk or watercolor paint to make owls to remind us of what good readers do!
After reading Adopted by an Owl, we watched this short video clip of the actual Jackson the Owl. Ask your child about the story. It is so good!
0 Comments
There are a total of six signposts that the students were briefly introduced to, but we will be focusing on one for a week, so that students can really practice them in their independent books. As guided practice, we will be using short video clips, short texts, and our read aloud book, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, but Kate DiCamillo. This week, we are looking more deeply at the signpost of Contrasts and Contradictions. Basically we tied this into real life. Imagine you eat lunch with your friend every day at the same table. All of a sudden, one day, your friend has their lunch,looks right at you, and then goes and sits at another table. That would be the opposite (or contradiction) to what you thought they were going to do. Author's put these contradictions in their writing. Characters act in a way that may surprise us or may be contradictory to the way they've been acting all along. Once we spot this in a book, we need to stop and ask, "Why is the character doing that?" That will help us think more deeply about a book. Students found a spot in their own books where they found a contrast and contradiction. They jotted it down on a sticky note and wrote why they think the character did that. They then stuck it on a jot lot. Students will get their sticky note returned with some feedback on their thinking.
We have been talking about the importance of having a growth mindset. A paper came home about it to help you have conversations with your child about having a growth mindset. We are trying to get the kids to see that their brain is like a muscle, and sometimes you really have to exercise that muscle to get it stronger. You may not be able to do things. . . yet. The word yet is a very powerful word. It shows a growth mindset. People who have a growth take risks, learn from their mistakes, keep trying, and that hard work, not just talent and smarts, is what makes things possible! We read the book The Most Magnificent Thing, which is a wonderful book about a girl who has a growth mindset. She doesn’t give up! We also had a few morning meetings about it. Today, students shared about a time something was hard for them to do, but kept trying and was successful. We heard great stories of tying shoes, riding bikes, walking on the balance beam, and playing video games.
The entire district gathered together at the high school for the annual homecoming assembly. The cheerleaders taught the football players a cheer, the fight song was yelled, musical chairs was played, and the principals competed for being the best dressed.
Earlier this week, students learned how to have SUPER conversations about what they are reading, what books they have read, what is happening in their current book, and what genres they enjoy. Students had to do a self reflection about how they felt they did and make a goal for next time they meet with their reading partners. More currently, we have been working on our reading stamina as we practice good reading habits- always having a next book to read, making a mental picture in our head as we read, and strategies we can do to help when our book gets confusing or we don't know a word.
I love these wacky kids! We have backwards, inside out, and mismatched clothes galore! And, all the wacky hair is making me smile!
To show the importance of cooperation, Miss Tracy did a cup stacking activity during morning meeting today. Students had to flip six cups and stack them in a pyramid by pulling strings connected to a rubber band. They needed to communicate, listen, be open to other kids’ ideas, be a leader or a follower and participate. It doesn’t work if someone doesn’t pull their string. I think the last picture pretty much sums up the pride and excitement that cooperating and working as a team can bring. Good work kids!
Lilly is our super hero this week. You can often find her walking the halls, with her cape billowing behind her. She is always respectful, responsible, and safe! She pretty much rocks!
|
Mrs. Ellis's Class
Learning & laughing our way through third grade. Archives
June 2020
Categories |