I hope everyone had a restful, relaxing Thanksgiving Break! This morning we shared a 'moment in time' from the weekend, and students shared lots. A memorable moment for me occurred on Saturday when I sloshed through the rain and mud to complete my twelfth Quadruple Dipsea. I love running on muddy trails, and this last one was the wettest and muddiest of them all!
Today we spent time learning roles for reading group jobs. I'll distribute their reading group books in the middle of the week (probably on Wednesday), but I just want to be sure students understand the different roles. For example, what are successful questions that a Discussion Director asks? To practice being Discussion Directors students read the first chapter in Bridge to Terabithia and invented questions. We discussed which ones would spur discussion. Other roles to go over tomorrow are Connector, Summarizer and Illustrator.
This afternoon I showed a clip from PBS documentary about Lewis and Clark, and we played a Circle of Viewpoints game. The class split into different roles such as Native Americans, Lewis or Clark, or prarie animals. Each group discussed how they felt and what it would be like to see white explorers coming down the river. This activity is an effective tool to teach what it would be like to be living during that time, and the students really embraced their roles!
Homework for tonight is to:
1. Read Preparing for the Lewis and Clark Expedition, write three examples of Marginalia and complete the back page. Students will need a dictionary (online dictionary.com would work, too).
2. Fourth grade math
Fifth grade math
3. Spelling
Have a good night!
