Elephants have been working very hard in Reading! Characters, Setting, Problem, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Solution are all part of a story's plot. The plot is used to create a summary. Third graders created a Roller Coaster to learn about plot and then performed and wrote a summary for a story, The First Day Jitters.
Drinking "Jitter Juice"
The following links and QR codes are videos of the summary. Students are playing an "improv" game. They can only say one word at a time. Students must listen to each other to complete a sentence to explain the story. I love how they encourage each other by quietly cheering each other on. Enjoy!!!
We have had an incredible time learning about the different types of communities for the past week and half. Have you noticed all the houses and shops around The Suburbs? If so, then what places have you seen? If not, then I want you to start observing these places!
Let's play a game. I'm going to show you three real life photographs and you tell me what type of community they are: Rural, Urban, or Suburban.
All of these pictures were either taken by me or I am in them. This is exciting and important because you can visit all the different types of communities at some point in your life! :-)
A. (HINT) You read about this city in your Social Studies Book.
B.
C.
Lastly, do you remember how to create a nonfiction summary from class? Practice your typing skills and tell me how to write one! Remember...move your *HANDS* and your *HEAD* back and forth as a trick to remember. For extra-extra-bonus - write a summary of everything you learned about with communities. THEN, if you're really having fun...find images of the different types of communities online and put them in your comment. - HAVE FUN!!!!!
***NOTE***
Parents, Nine Weeks Assessments are this week. Please remember that students will need a good night's rest and a healthy breakfast. I look forward to seeing them prepared and confident for their tests.
We have just finished writing our very first Nonfiction Summary over our Holiday Research Project.
I want you to Evaluate the summary in order to determine if it is a GOOD Summary.
Purpose of a Summary:
to reduce large sections of text to essential and important points and main ideas Qualities of a Summary:
1. A Main Idea
2. Brief sentences that give important details of each topic
3. Focused on author's purpose (Persuade, Inform, or Entertain)
I am loving all of the comments! They are great. I'm glad everyone is enjoying the blog. Keep coming back for updates.
What a great week! Daily 5 is going wonderfully. Students have built their stamina for Read to Self, and we are almost to 20 minutes. We are just starting Working on Writing! Their little hands will be so tired from all of that writing! I can't wait to add in the other parts: Word Work, Shared Reading, and Listen to Reading. They have all been working so very hard.
Our vocabulary words this past week were--
- Trudged
- Nonsense
- Chuckled
- Nervous
- Fumbled
Students...acts these words out for your parents.Nervous? Nonsense!! Don't be. I know they will chuckle watching you trudge around this week as you fumble an item.
Graded Papers were sent home on Friday. Sign the paper that states that you will be keeping the papers. If you have a question about any assignment, then please contact me. Return the green folder back to school so that we may continue to send home more grades. Thank you!
On Monday, a HOMEWORK PACKET will be sent home! It will consist of counting syllables, putting words in alphabetical order, a reading passage, a ROLLER COASTER plot activity, and reading questions! Students have all week to complete the packet, so this will need to be turned in on Friday. Parents, I encourage you to assist your child in the way that you see fit. If anything, review the packet to ensure that he or she has answered the questions correctly. Also, each student will continue to read 20 minutes for the Reading Log. We will be going to the library this week to get new books! The day...TBA!
I'm very excited about next week's lessons! We will use the elements from plot to learn about Summary and Theme with Peter and the Wolf. I remember watching this video in Music Class every single year of my elementary life, and I always loved it. I hope the Elephants and the Honeybees will enjoy it as much as I did. We will begin by relating the instruments to the different characters in the story. Then we will read the story in order to create a summary and find the theme of the story. I'm excited to take them to Computer Lab on Wednesday so that they can watch the video and do an activity. If you want a sneak peak of the video, click the link below! If your child has already watched it in class, then great, watch it again and again!! So many great things are in store for this week, so make sure you ask your child what he or she has learned!
***Extra Assignment***
Your student will be rewarded if he or she creates a musical instrument at home and brings it to school. Watch the video to know which instruments you can choose from. Household items work wonders: Paper towel rolls, kleenex boxes, rubber bands, wax paper, and other creative items! CLICK HERE to listen to the instruments
We are in the process of writing an imaginative story! Your kids are so creative, I can't wait to see the final products. Also, in order to become better spellers, we are understanding syllables and alphabetical order (dictionaries).
Watch out for a letter that will be sent out this week. It will be asking your permission to upload photos of activity in the classroom on the blog. There will be some great photos to come out of this week through Peter and the Wolf. Either way is fine; I respect your privacy. :-)
Have a great weekend! Leave a comment and I'll write you back!
~ Ms. Lightfoot
