Reader's Theater

     A small group of students had a blast this week practicing and performing a Reader's Theater play for the class.  I am so proud of their hard work!  They practiced their lines during Daily 5 and on their OWN at recess!  Wait...they voluntarily gave up their recess to practice...YES THEY DID!
     The title of their play was The Life Cycle of a Snowman!  We tied this into our matter unit.  The students were able to name the 4 parts of the life cycle and tell what makes the snowman turn into a puddle!  So much fun and such a funny play!

     So WHY READER'S THEATER??  Scholastic gave these beneficial reasons for Reader's Theater-

Benefits of Using Readers Theater in the Classroom

Readers Theater helps to….

• develop fluency through repeated exposure to text.
• increase comprehension.
• integrate reading, writing, speaking, listening in an authentic context.
• engage students.
• increase reading motivation.
• create confidence and improve the self-image of students.
• provide a real purpose for reading.
• provide opportunities for cooperative learning.

I was only able to take 2 pictures because my phone died, but I can't tell you how proud I am of this group!  They were so fluent and SO expressive and they were very much into it!  Perhaps the best thing that came out of today-other students were inspired to perform a play to the class!  YAHOO!

VOCABULARY STRATEGY #2

Mrs. Koch came into our room in the middle of our two hour delays and snow days and introduced the kids to another vocabulary strategy-Pulling on what you already know on a topic to figure out unknown words!  We used the topic-matter.  We are just starting to learn about matter so they had to use what they knew to figure out the meanings of unknown words.  Why are we teaching vocabulary strategies?  These strategies will help students better comprehend and understand what they are reading if they help them figure out unknown words.  We will be working on vocabulary alot this month! 

WHERE DID JANUARY GO????

VALENTINE'S DAY PLANS!

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VOCABULARY STRATEGY #1

Yesterday our academic coach, Mrs. Koch, came in and did a lesson for us.  She is working with me on teaching the students important vocabulary strategies they can use when they come to a word they don't know!  The first strategy was using the context clues in the sentences.  The students picked out key words, around the unknown word, that could help them.  Check out our learning!!

BOY can we measure!

We have been learning all about measuring the last couple weeks.  We created a Google Slide Show and practiced taking notes each day on the important points we were learning about measuring!  If I can figure out how to attach it, I will :)  I'm still learning!  I can add pictures though!  Ask your child about standard and non-standard measurement!

We have a STUDENT TEACHER!

I am so excited to tell you that we have a student teacher from Capital University starting Monday in our classroom!  Her name is Rozalyn Wolfe!  She will be sending a note home introducing herself this week!

And we are BACK!

Tomorrow we are FINALLY back to school!

Let's Go Bucks!

GO BUCKS!!!

See you Jan. 6th!

It has been a great break, but I am excited to get back to school to see the kids!  Although, I did hear that we are expecting SNOW!!!

VERY FIRST POST!

Welcome to my very first post on my classroom blog!  I hope to use this to give you daily updates and important information you may need!  Please check back daily!