The big news of last week happened last thing on Friday afternoon - a butterfly emerged! We're not entirely sure how this butterfly is going to fare because it was from one of the chrysalises on the ground, but we're hopeful. We cut up some fruit and put it at the bottom of the cage so that it had something to eat this weekend. The students are eager for the other butterflies to emerge so that we can release them.
Here's what we've been working on in the classroom:
Reading : Last week we started small reading groups. While the students are reading independently, I meet with small reading groups. While the structure of these groups can differ from time to time, most of the time we are reading and discussing a common text. Ask your child what book he/she read with me during his/her small group last week.
We also start reading partnerships last week. After reading independently, the students are given time to read with their reading partner(s). This is a great way for students to extend their reading stamina, and to get feedback from a peer. Ask your child who his/her reading partner is.
Writing : We're in the swing of writing workshop mode now and the students are loving it! They were upset on Friday because we didn't have time for writing due to an assembly in the morning. The students are very independent during writing workshop. All of them have successfully come up with ideas and have gotten them down on paper. When they're done with a piece, they know that they can staple it together themselves and start a new piece.
Math : Last week we spent a lot of time reviewing old information and assessing. This week, we'll move on to unit 2.
Science : Even though we'll still be closely monitoring our chrysalises/butterflies, we have finished the science butterfly unit. This week, we're going to spend some time going over our next health unit before delving into our first social studies unit in a couple weeks.
Odds and Ends : Please keep in mind that the students will go outside for recess unless it is inclement weather. As the weather gets cooler, the students are not allowed outside for recess without coats.
Here are some pictures from last week: