New Inquiries
Last week we launched several new inquiries. As readers, we revisited a strategy we had touched on before, using Post-its to track our thinking as we read a text. We practiced this with several read alouds and then collaborated as a group to categorize the kinds of thoughts we are tracking. This was a great strategy to help the kids physically see the patterns in their thinking while reading. Some of the categories included questions, predictions, and retelling events from the story. The kids are beginning to use the strategies to track their own thinking during independent reading.We explored money though games and story problems last week. The kids have become pros at trading in their pennies for nickels and dimes while building up to a dollar. We will begin to include quarters this week and use these financial skills to budget our money in order to purchase items to decorate our cookies on Friday.
As writers, we explored a variety of poetry books and chose some favorites to use as models for writing our own poetry. This week we will begin focusing on specific poetry types.
Power has been an intriguing topic to discuss with the kids using children's literature. We are looking at who has power in the story and what it enables the characters to do. We are also asking how that power might move in the story and what effect does it have? The concept of power also bleeds over into our conversations about news and our interactions in the classroom.
This Coming Week
This week we will continue our inquiries into poetry and money. We will also continue examining our thinking as readers and looking at power through children's literature. On Friday, we will enjoy using patterns and our budgeting skills to decorate cookies.
Important Dates
December 21 11:30 Dismissal/ Winter Break Begins
January 7 Students return to school
January 17 Our gathering 2:20 (Thursday)
We enjoyed learning a new song with Mr. O that we are planning to share at our next gathering.
We will miss you, Via.💔
