Ruby Bridges

A few weeks ago we started reading informational text over Ruby Bridges.  We read and discussed several types of sources and medias: articles, interviews, biographies, an autobiography, and artwork. We talked about that one event (or individual) can be presented many ways through the different points of view of the author writing about that event (or individual).  We disucssed the individual Ruby Bridges and the events that surrounded her life.  Students were put into groups where they compared and contrasted different media sources.  They then completed online venn diagrams to show their understanding.  I have put their venn diagrams on edmodo.com.  Be sure to check them out!

This link will ask you for a login: ask  your child for their login, or you can create your own!
Edmodo: Venn Diagrams

Family Inquiry Project

This week, along with being ISTEP, we have also begun our new literature circle unit.  This unit will be dealing with the question, "What is a family?"  We have been talking about the different ways you can define a family.  I am including a link to the popplet we made in class.  Can a team be considered family? Friends? The popplet was a great way to see that yes, there are many ways to define a family!

We will be reading these books, including our mentor text, Because of Mr. Terupt, the next few weeks.  If you would like to read a novel that your child is reading, please let me know and I will get you a copy! 

Family Popplet

Family Blendspace (Book Trailers)
 

Point of View Powerpoints

We have spent the past few weeks discussing point of view.  We have talked about first, second, and third person, as well as third person objective, limited, and omniscient.  We have also learned about author's perspective and how different writing genres can give us a different point of view over the same topic.  I have linked up a quick project we did to learn about different point of view over the same topic. Check out the powerpoints on blendspace! Blendspace Point of View

Free Rice

Today we worked on a vocabulary site called Free Rice.  This site donates 10 grams of rice for every vocabulary word that is answered correctly.  The kids loved it!  Not only is it a great cause, but we learned MANY new vocabulary words that we can use in our writing and everyday conversations! Be sure to check it out!

Voice Thread ~ LIterature Circle Mini Project~ Andrew Clements

Check out our Voice Threads we created!  Students got into their Lit Circle groups and one student was in charge of author's purpose, student 2 created connections, student 3 wrote a summary, and the fourth student wrote a continuation of the novel. These turned out OUTSTANDING! Click on the links to hear these talented students!

No Talking

Troublemaker

Frindle

About Average

What Do YOU Think?

Throughout the year, we have been working very hard on citing evidence when we think or believe something.  Today, we watched the following video, and we came up with our opinion over the video (Are these babies REALLY conversing with one another?) and then we had to suppport our opinion with evidence from the video.  Reviewing sentennce fluency with the class, I also challenged them to use two complex sentences in their writing.  Many accepted this challenge with flying colors!  Click on the link below to check out the video!

Baby Conversation

Blendspace Point of View

When we get back from these snow days, we will continue our discussion on point of view.  I have created a board on Blendspace (if you have never checked it out before, do so, it is AWESOME!) Students will be picking an image found on our board and create a powerpoint presentation containing the points of view of the various people/animals in the pictures. I will definitely post our final projects!

Blendspace- Point of View