Writing-
I will be using one of my favorite read alouds to spark some imagination with my kids to write some leprechaun stories to go along with St. Patrick's Day this week. I don't even know why I love this books o much, I think it's because the kids laugh and giggle through the whole thing! It's called Leprechaun on the Loose. This week will be more about creative writing and having fun. I will review some of the basic sentence structure elements that we've been really hitting lately, and then let them write their own leprechaun story. Students are also doing a sentence writing activity in centers this week to practice using linking words to combine sentences together. I'm hoping that I'll see a lot of that in their stories!!!! Hopefully we'll get some very mischievous leprechauns causing problems!
MATH-
This week in math we'll be working on story problems. Lately I feel like that's been the story of our lives, and any of you who use math expressions know that it is full of story problems! I have to say sometimes it's a lot, but they sure aren't afraid of them anymore or they aren't skipping them on homework. We'll be working on multi-step story problems as well as story problems with extra, hidden, or not enough information. I plan on giving morning journal questions that have wayyyy toooo much info that will need to be crossed out to prepare for this!
I work with a small intervention group in the morning for math and looking ahead on the two step story problems for the week we're going to do a lot of prep work for it. Math expressions has great task cards for each lesson for students that are needing intervention, who are on-level and those who are needing a challenge. This activity comes right from the task cards, and I think it will really help students out.
Reading Groups-
I'll continue my work on Knights & Castles this week with students to focus on non-fiction story structure and elements. We'll be discussing clothing, protecting the castle, and medieval entertainment. Students are loving all aspects of this book study. I just recently shared a few samples here, so if you're interested check them out. I'm so impressed with one group, who usually struggles to get conversation going. Vocabulary has been harder with this book with where they are, but with us working together and taking a lot of time to discuss words, I can barely get through everything that I need to with them because they won't stop talking and asking/answering questions. I'm so excited to see how this week goes!
I hope everyone has a great week ahead! I'm looking forward to some warm weather so the wiggles can start to be left on the playground! :)
I love the idea of the task cards! Thank you for sharing! We don't use that particular program, so I never would have seen it - but I think that concept will help my kiddos prepare for the state assessment coming up next month. (YIKES!) I like how it demonstrates showing your work too because my kiddos are really struggling with that!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear the kids are doing well with story problems. That seems to be an issue year after year, but it sounds like you are making good progress. That sure will make those 4th grade teachers happy! :)
ReplyDeleteJen
Mrs. Laffin's Laughings
My students struggle MAJOR with word problems. I mentioned that in today's post. I found you through the linky...excited to "meet" another 3rd grade teacher!
ReplyDeleteLindsey
Journey of a Beginning Teacher
I've never heard of Leprechaun on the Loose, but it looks super cute! Word problems are always such a struggle and it's hard to get kids interested and excited about them, so glad you're having success! You should feel proud! I only have 3 days this week, so I hope the kids aren't too wild!
ReplyDeleteJoanne
Head Over Heels For Teaching