This week was full of excitement (hello two hour release!), kindness and learning. In Writer's workshop, we have been perfecting our constructed response to nonfiction text. We read an article on "Saving The Dolphins" and were given the prompt: Identify and explain how the author used text features in "Saving The Dolphins," to help the reader understand the text. Check out Ella Kozlik's fantastic response below! The author used many text features to help the reader understand the article, “Saving The Dolphins.” First the author used maps on page 6. The map shows you where they got captured. For example, they got captured in Nicaragua.Next the author used headings on page 6. The heading tells you what the paragraph is all about. For example, the heading “The Dolphin Defender,” tells you that people helped the dolphins stay alive and get back to the ocean. Next the author used a title on page 4. The author used the title to tell the reader what the article is going to be about. For example, this article is about needing to save the dolphins. Last the author used photographs on page 6. It helps me understand that you should not swim with the dolphins for fun. These are all the text features the author used to help me understand the article. Ask your child what the color coding means in this response! In Math, we have moved on to our next chapter, Area and Perimeter. This week was our first introduction to it. Along with learning how to find area and perimeter using an equation, we also learned how to measure to the nearest centimeter and inch in small groups. In Science, we finished up our distance challenge, where students designed a cart to travel down a ramp. After each design and 3 trials, the scientists went back to the drawing board to figure out how they could make their cart travel farther. We did this three times and then discussed what were things to consider when building a cart to increase distance. As a class, we came up with the below suggestions: -Make sure there is nothing hanging from the cart to cause friction, thus slowing down our cart -keep the wheels from wobbling side to side by securing the wheel and axle system to the base. Carts with wheels that do not wobble traveled farther -use bearings to allow the wheel and axle system to move -add weight to your car so it can pick up more speed heading down the ramp (The images below are from last week when the weather was gorgeous and in the 50's! We took advantage of it and went outside for science.) In Reader's Workshop, we have moved to our Folktale unit. This past week, we focused on "What are the characteristics of a folktale?" As we practiced with texts this week, the students hunted for characteristics of folktales using the checklist below. Next week, we will be moving on to fables, a type of folktale. For Valentine's day, we had many special activities. My favorite was reading the book, "Somebody Loves you, Mr. Hatch" by Eileen Spinelli. In the story, Mr. Hatch, a man who mostly kept to himself and had the routine every day, was surprised with an anonymous valentine one day. Mr. Hatch was "woken up" from his sadness and filled with joy to think that someone would be thinking of him. His whole daily routine changed, from keeping to himself, to branching out and talking to people at work and around the community. Mr. Hatch later finds out that the valentine was a mistake. It was delivered to the wrong address. He became very sad once again; however, this time, the community noticed he was sad and had a party just for him. We talked about how every day, we have the choice to build someone up with our words, or tear them down. How one smile, one kind word or gesture could help someone feel less alone and shift their whole mindset. After our discussion, each student received 20 paper hearts. We created a list of adjectives that would build someone up. We then "scooted" from one seat to the next and wrote down one kind word about every member of our class. You may have seen these kindness wreaths come home on Friday. They are truly beautiful and the kids loved building each other up. **Important announcement- a permission slip for a Chinese New Year event came home with your child today. Please sign and return on Wednesday so we can ensure that all are able to participate. Sorry for the late notice!
Have a wonderful long weekend! Mrs. Ferreira
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Mrs. FerreiraTeacher, Foodie, Mother, Wife. Archives
April 2019
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