Life-Size Penguins

WOW...what a quick week. The students had a busy 3 days at school! The big excitement was the creation of their life-size penguins. We have learned about six different types of penguins over the last month! We have spent time thinking about what they weight, measuring their height, and comparing them. Last week, the students made a choice of which penguin they would like to create. This week they used measuring tape to measure the height of their penguins. The students then set out to draw their penguins. The students had to think about spacial relationships and proportions to get their drawings to look realistic. The students then spent time painting them. The penguins came out FANTASTIC! I will find a place to display them up for conferences!

In Readers' Workshop this week we continued to look at non-fiction text features. This week we talked about how to use headings and pictures in non-fiction books. The students are expected to be able to find these features and then use the strategies we come up with as a class on how to use these text features. The students are really building reading stamina. This week our Readers' Workshop has been so focused because the students are loving their independent reading time!

In Writers' Workshop, the students worked on their small moment writing. We worked on adding description to our pictures and our words so that the reader feels like they are in the story. We are reading The Dragon and the Prince during snack; the author and illustrator uses a lot of description throughout the book. It is a great example of what they are expected to try on their own.

In Fundations, the students are still focused on glued sounds (all, am, an). The students spent time creating words using glued sounds. Also, the class was able to take time and write some trick words using their best writing! These papers will go home in their Friday Folders!

On another note, the students filled the marble jar again this week. We celebrated on Thursday by making birthday cards for Mrs. Eaton. We were able to enjoy a Toot and Puddle book and then spend some time making cards. The students earn the Success Jar from having expected behaviors throughout the day.

Just a reminder, I sent the sign up sheet out for conferences. If you are having trouble signing up let me know what time you would like and I will sign up for you! Conferences with be March 25th and April 1st! I hope you all have a great weekend and enjoy this snow!