Growth, Effort and Achievements

Another great week in 4Z

Our week flew by once again.  We are always working and learning.  Conversations are all around, discoveries continue to be made and learning is taking place.  I cannot believe how fast the days are going.  With each passing day, the children are progressing nicely.  The routines are set in place and for the most part, things go according to schedule.

Reading/ Social Studies:

We are preparing for International night.  Our classroom is studying all about Portugal.  The children are researching it's location, what they eat, famous people from there, and so much more.  Together they plan out what they are going to display, how it will look and what to include.  It is their voice and choice on how it will all come together and what they feel should be displayed as families and children come through on that night.

 

Some of the groups began putting together posters with what their group is researching.  It is great to see the collaboration and team work that they are showing.  Everyone in the group has a part and work to get it done.  

RACE Strategy:

With the upcoming state testing approaching we are using our Intervention block to review many of the strategies that they can use.  One of those is the Race strategy for written responses.  We have been working in groups and developing well constructed responses.  RICAS testing has many written response parts that they are to complete.  In using RACE they are able to restate the question, answer all parts, cite the evidence and elaborate with details.  We are getting the hang of it and practicing it daily. 

Reveal Math

In Math we are working on multiples and factors.  We use Reveal daily and have a digital component that goes along with the curriculum.  Children work together in their groups.  They discover different ways to solve a problem, and use the UPS strategy to solve word problems.  Our Intervention block also will include practicing released items from the RICAS assessment to help them better prepare for the state testing.  

The practice book is set up with an introduction to the lesson, learning the concept, and then doing independent work.  Some times if they do not complete the page in class, it should be going home.  

                                                                Amplify Science

We are continuing to learn about Electricity-  The children are once again, working together, watching videos and discovering the many forms of electricity.  We had a review session using Kahoot.  The children enjoyed it and were reviewing in the process.

Our trait for the month is Growth Mindset.  We are having morning meetings that revolve around this.  We discuss how we can improve on all that we do by trying and not giving up.  If we can't do something we know that eventually, we will get it.  There are challenges that we need to face, and giving up is not an option.  We are always discussing how we need to show effort in order to reach our goals.  We talk about this daily and continue to strive to achieve what our end goal is.  Our STAR time conferences gives us opportunities to discuss our progress and how we can improve on it.  We will be holding our next one on the 27th.