Wonderful Wednesday

For a little catching up first, YESTERDAY in reading we took the STAR reading test on the iPads then practiced finding 'just right books' by using the 5 Finger strategy.  First we look at the cover to see if it catches our attention/interest, then we read the summary on the back or inside cover, last we open to a random page in the book and begin reading.  For every word we don't know or understand we put up 1 finger.  For 0-1 fingers, the book is too easy, 4-5 fingers the book is too hard.  2-3 fingers is JUST RIGHT.  We discussed that just like each person is unique in their shoe size and fit, each person is unique in their book choices. :)  In math we worked with some problem solving. We talked about the 4-steps in problem solving (Understanding the Problem, Devising a Plan, Carrying out the Plan, and Looking Back).  We also enjoyed sharing more 'Me Bags' as well as ending the day with PE and Music.

TODAY during Reading Workshop we talked about building reading stamina.  We related stamina to endurance in that the more you practice the longer you can go.  We connected it to running, weight lifting, dancing and more.  We said the more you practice the longer you can read.  We also talked about strategies for what to do when you become restless.  Some classmates took their first AR tests of the year on the iPads.  In writing we did 'heart maps'.  We generated ideas/topics for our writing by focusing what is most important/special to us; writing from our hearts.  We are posting them on our writing board as we finish them up.  In math we worked with place value to 1,000.  We did a fun hands-on activity called "Building 1,000".  It was a great cooperative lesson that required the groups to work as a team to devise a plan for building a model or representation of 1,000 using provided items (beads, rice, pasta, pattern squares, string, etc).  Each group worked hard to come up with a strategy that worked and they were busy busy counting!  You can see some of their work in the picture below:

We wrapped up our morning working with the 10 PYP learner traits/attributes.  They are: communicator, thinker, risk-taker, inquirer, open-minded, balanced, principled, reflective, caring and knowledgeable.  We worked in teams to match definitions/characteristics to each of the words then shared examples.  Due to the rain we had an indoor iPad recess time before lunch.  We ended our day with a fun Spanish lesson from Señora Sneed.  Another fun day!