Students have continued reading and writing "expert books" as part of our literacy and information writing units. They have been looking for "expert words" in our books about plants with interesting defenses, animal eyes, dinosaurs, the coldest town in the world, the invention of duct tape and other exciting topics. These vocabulary words help us to be able to "learn the lingo" of our topics. They also continue to ask and search for answers to their own questions about their texts.
We have also been learning about the different types of information that we can add to our own "expert books" to teach our audience even more about the topic, such as definitions, explanations, details, facts, steps, and tips. Students have been setting goals to "lift the level" of their own writing. It is exciting to see how they are learning to assess their own progress and push themselves to stretch out their writing, check for capital letters and punctuation, and use interesting vocabulary words in their daily writing.
Technology Integration:
During our Technology Integration times, we have been working with Ms. Arlyn to change the speed and direction of our robots' movements. First, we experimented with different ways that we could attach the belt to the two pulleys. Students made predictions and then recorded their observations and results.
Next, partners were challenged to create a program to make their Dancing Birds turn clockwise and then change directions to turn counter clockwise. They could also add other interesting steps to their programs, such as making sounds or changing the backgrounds on the computer screen.
Throughout the process, students have been recording their ideas and learning in their Lego Robotics journals. We have been impressed with their collaboration and problem solving!
Read Aloud with Ms. Lyford:
Ms. Lyford joined our class this week and read us the story, One, which connects with our learning about how to prevent bullying. In this story, the characters are colors. Ask your child about this story and how it connects to our learning during our Thursday PBIS Morning Meetings, as well as our classroom discussions about bullying prevention.
Lego Robotics
Read Aloud with Ms. Lyford
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