This week during reading, we spent our mini-lessons discussing the skill of summarizing. This skill was then carried over into small groups. The format we like to use most is: Somebody, Wanted, But, So, Then. One of the books we used in our lessons was titled "The Widow's Broom". The perfect story to match our changing weather!
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Our Summary: Minna Shaw wanted to keep her magical broom but, her neighbor didn't like it because it was magic. So, when the neighborhood men came to take the broom she gave them her old broom in the closet and painted the magic broom white! The old broom pretended to be a ghost and scared the neighbors away. Then, the neighbors moved away and Minna Shaw, the widow, kept her wonderful magic broom.
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Our writing lessons revolved around the personal narratives that we have been working on for the past week. This week, we talked a lot about adding dialogue to our text and using correct capitalization. Many students are beginning to wrap their pieces up so next week, our mini lessons will focus on how to make our pieces stand out while publishing! In our newer writing workshop format, when teachers meet to confer with students, they will point out one or two areas the student should work on in their piece. The piece is not edited by a teacher, but instead students are encouraged to strengthen their writing skills throughout the year. This encourages student ownership over their piece and helps them grow in their individual skills under the guidance and instruction of the teachers.
During our social studies time we have began exploring the facts and stories about explorers! We began the week learning and revisiting mapping skills that include: reading a map, finding the map legend and using a compass rose. We continued the week learning about the Vikings, Marco Polo and the reasons for exploration paths to Asia. Many students found this Viking website fun and full of information!
Math is continuing to go well. The third grade finished their first math post-assessment on Friday, and will take their pre-assessment on Monday. We use the pre-assessments to determine the placement of the students in groups. Fourth grade groups are working on multiplying one digit by two, and fifth grade groups ended the week adding decimal numbers.
If you haven't already, please take a few moments to complete the parent survey put together by the WES staff. Results are anonymous and very important to us. We are so excited to examine the results to make our school the best school we can!
That's the news of the week!
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