April 9, 2009

This week we were busy with reader's and writer's workshop. We also started our farm reports.

Reader's Workshop-We had independent reading or read to self every day this week. We did reader's workshop three times this week. The students are split up into four groups. Each group visits 4 different stations throughout the week, one station a day. The stations include 1. listen to a story 2. partner read 3. word work 4. read with the teacher. Word work this week was find all of the Ee's in the Edna Elephant song and to write as many words as you can in the time given.

Farm Reports-All of the students picked a farm animal to do a simple report about. We talked about the project. Each student is expected to create a farm animal sculpture at home along with some facts they might find. At school, we are going to meet in small groups to find facts about the farm animals. We are going to make our own fact book. We are going to make a poster as a small group. We are going to share our farm animal reports on Farm Day, April 24. *If you child did not bring home a farm animal project sheet, please let me know and I will send another one.

Writer's Workshop-This week we have been working on sound spelling, spaces between words, periods at the end of sentences, writing more and drawing less, using capital letters at the beginning of the sentence and for names only. I am very impressed with how much their writing has improved since we started writer's workshop.

Math-This week we spent most of our time working on addition and subtraction. We also did a little bit with estimation.

Social/Science-We have been working on being a good friend this week. We read a friend story and made good friend posters. We shared ways to be a good friend.