Monday, October 22

Happy Monday. I'm sorry for the lack of posts. It's been quite busy in 207.
Here is a bit about what we did last week:

In Literacy, we are working on a strategy called "Text Busting". This tool will help students understand the texts that they are reading. It may also come in handy when we do our own writing later on.

Here is the strategy we are using to help us write concise summaries:

We have been discussing the difference between a summary and the main idea. So far, we have identified that the main idea is usually a global message that can pertain to anyone, not just the characters in the text. It can also sometimes be called the moral.

 

We have been practicing text busting as a class. So far, we busted this article and a couple of short films including this one:

Caine's Arcade from Nirvan Mullick on Vimeo.

The students text busted this one on their own and I'm interested to see what they thought the main idea was.

We have had some interesting discussions about what makes a text. Does a Lego manual with no words make a text? We think it does!



We have done quite a bit of work on our space brochures. Most students are finished a rough copy and are starting to publish. I think I am going to turn this over to homework. Students may need some help editing their work before they begin publishing. The chart below outlines my expectations.

In math, we played a fun game about estimating, area, and strategy. Ask them to play a round with you. You will need some graph paper, a pencil, and two number cubes.

Students have written and received letters back from our first Letter Responses. They have been assigned due dates for their weekly letters.

Monday: Tess, Ella, Theo, Aniek, Brooklyn, Karim, Austin

Tuesday: Gus, Olivia, Elizabeth, Jorge, Sarah, David, Kyra

Wednesday: Daven, Kelly, Jalila, Maya V, Maya W, Ian, Kieran

Thursday: Kurtis, Mikaela, Logan, Nick, Jeramy, Sam, Mathias

Thursday will be our big prop painting day. I'm hoping some of you can volunteer on that day. I am still looking for large cardboard boxes and decorations. Please send them in if you've got them. Students have been assigned roles at this point. Please help them to sort out a costume.

Please remember that our friends in Ray's class have been busy working to prepare a Math Evening on October 30th. This is meant to be a junior math night that will have an engaging Halloween theme. All are welcome, even younger siblings. Please think about attending.