During Writer's Workshop, students are continuing to write small moment narratives. This week we worked on setting writing goals and working hard to achieve them, revising with intention, and looking closely at other writer's to see how they make their writing powerful using our senses (what we hear, see, feel, etc.).
During Reader's workshop we worked on fluency by scooping several words together, rather than pointing to and reading one word at a time. We used the book There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Bat (based on the familiar story, There Was An Old Woman who Swallowed a Fly) to practice this strategy during shared reading. Other lessons focused on comprehension strategies. Students are encouraged to stop during their reading and at the end of their reading to Stop, Think, and Write about what they read. They may use sticky notes during the reading process to mark their books with questions or discoveries about what they are reading.
I have also been busy assessing reading fluency. Doing so will help me determine the appropriate reading level for each students so I can offer more targeted reading instruction.
In math we began using our "Math Menu" approach to instruction and practice. A typical math class involves a whole class math warm up which will include a number talk, a critical thinking activity such as Which one Doesn't Belong?, teaching a new game or tool, or an application problem in our math journals. Then we will move into independent practice and targeted instruction. During this portion of the class, students will choose from a differentiated menu of options based on their grade level expectations, and will meet with me for targeted concept development. Additionally, they may meet with Mrs. Bellavance for skill practice.
On Friday we had fun with "Crazy Hair Day", and "All things Pumpkins"! During the morning we carved a jack-o-lantern, while students crafted their own paper jack-o-lanterns, students helped sort out the pumpkin seeds which we then roasted and sampled later in the day. We read From Seed to Pumpkin which teaches the life cycle of a pumpkin, then students completed their own pumpkin life cycle activity. We wrote halloween poetry and used used adjectives (descriptive words) to write about pumpkins.
On Friday afternoon students learned about the artist Vincent Van Gogh. We studied his famous painting "A Starry Night". Van Gogh is famous for his expressionistic style of painting, using texture, movement, and light. Then students planned and painted their own expressionistic pumpkin painting inspired by Van Goghs', A Starry Night (see below). We focused on the concept of "value"(light and dark) as we painted the pumpkins, noting that the pumpkin has shadows and highlights. The end results are striking!
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| Students paintings inspired by Van Gogh |
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| A Starry Night, by Vincent Van Gogh |
As the holiday's approach the district would like you to consider you plans carefully and possibly reimagine you family holiday traditions so that schools can remain open to in person instruction. It is no secret that Covid-19 is on the rise, even in Vermont. If you must travel or are planning to host visitors, please check the Vermont Travel Map the Day before you leave as things are changing rapidly. Keep in mind, if you choose to visit a "yellow" or "red" zone or have visitors from these zones, your children may have to quarantine for two weeks.
Reminder: If you wish to have your child receive a school lunch, please notify me by email prior to Monday (for Monday and Tuesday) and by Wednesday (Thursday and Friday).
It seems that most students are accessing Seesaw, Dreambox, and Lexia on their iPads for remote Wednesday's. Just a reminder that these are remote expectations for all students as well as their work folder assignments and reading. Currently, there are NO iPad assignments for nightly homework (although this could change), but we will continue to send iPads home nightly in the event we need to close our school for in person instruction. Please make sure these come to school with your child daily as we will be using them in the classroom, too.
Additionally, students are asked to bring their book bags home each night. There are a couple of reasons for this. Students may have books we have read during reading groups. We encourage students to reread these books to work on fluency and comprehension. Additionally, we want students to be prepared to have their reading materials at home in the event we are asked to switch to remote instruction. I understand that students have their own books at home. They are welcome to read their own books as well. The Reader's Workshop model encourages students to be reading several books and types of books at a time.
I have optional remote "Office Hours" from 2-3 each Wednesdays. If your child wishes to meet with me, please email me prior to 2:00, so I know to expect them.
Wednesday, November 11th is reserved for Professional Development. We will have NO (remote) school
Friday, November 20th - Early release - Dismissal is at noon
No School - November 25-27 for Thanksgiving Break.
Much Thanks to Ann Marie Dryden for sewing a halloween face mask for each students!
Wishing you all a safe and happy Halloween!
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