In Social Studies this term we have been learning about making and reading maps. The students learned about map symbols, compass roses, legends and types of maps. To conclude our unit students made maps of their hearts. Each map is unique and beautiful, reflecting the people, places and things each student holds most dear. We celebrated Pink Shirt today. It was wonderful to see so many people taking part in this wonderful initiative to stand up to bullying. The story behind how Pink Shirt day started is a wonderful one. If you don't know it check it out here. Leading up to today the students spent some time thinking about what it means to be a good friend and how we take care of each other by being safe and kind. They recorded their ideas on a giant heart we placed in our hallway.
This last week the students wrote about their prefect garden. Imaginations ran wild so that there are gardens with chocolate bunnies, blueberry roses and fairies who dance at night. We worked together to publish the writing using an app called Book Creator. The students received help with their spelling but were responsible for the sentence structure and conventions. For most students this was their first experience typing their work on an iPad. It was up to each child to decide if they wanted to take a picture of their original garden drawing or use the iPad to illustrate their work. I have embedded a copy of the book below and provided a PDF copy below that.
This Friday we celebrated Valentine's Day early. We had a card exchange as well as dressed in pink and red. I think it is safe to say we all had a great time! Last week I was reading a non-fiction book to the kids about rain and before I knew it the students were asking all sorts of amazing questions about the natural world. I soon discovered many of the questions they had were about the sun. To capitalize on this spontaneous interest I went to the library and checked out all the non-fiction books on the sun that I could find. I wrote "The Sun" on the board and told the kids that in their free time they were welcome to find facts about the sun that interested them and record the facts on the board. In no time at all the board was full and a handful of students decided to make their own research reports on the sun! Since then a few students have asked me to help them find more non-fiction books about the Solar System and a few have asked for books about elephants. I can't wait to see where their personal interests lead them next!
When reading, it is important your child do more than just read the words. Reading involves thinking about the story and understanding what is going on. To help your child develop his or her reading comprehension it is essential you talk with your child about the books he or she reads. Below are examples of the kind of prompts you can use to help your child delve deeper into the books he or she reads aloud to you. Before Reading:
While Reading:
After Reading:
Download and print a copy of the prompts below:
|
Ms. Shawna WoodPassionate about teaching, learning, inclusion and kindness. Archives
August 2019
|