A to Zirilli: The Room is Buzzing with Excitement

I can hear and see all the excitement around the school. The children know that summer is heading in our direction. Events are being planned throughout the school. Teachers are beginning to pack up some of their belongings for the summer break. The children are asking, "How many more days of school do we have left?" and the countdown in our classroom has begun. I initiated a new event in our classsroom this year. I call it King/Queen for the Day. Since there are 23 children in our room, I put up 23 balloons and in each one is the name of a student. If their balloon is popped, then for the day, the student gets special privileges. The student can choose a seat of their liking, have a morning and afternoon brain break, get an activity of their choice to end out the day and is the line leader for the entire day. We love the moment when the balloon is popped to see who it will be.

Here are the past week's chosen Kings and Queens. They are really enjoying this.

Reading:

We have completed the 5 Units in Wonder, so to finish off the year, we are reading Tuck Everlasting, by Natalie Babbitt. We are listening to it while we follow along in the book and do some comprehension questions. Imagine being able to live forever? Pros and Cons I say but cannot wait to see what the students think.

Amplify Science;

We began Chapter 5 and it is all about the senses compared to animals and humans. The children are having great conversations around it.

Reveal Math;

We are beginning Fractions- first I had them come up and create a What They Know about Fractions List. Then we worked with math manipulatives to discuss parts to make a whole number. Again, the conversations and working collaboratively really worked out nicely.

Social Studies:

We are nearing our Live Wax Museum event and the children are practicing their speeches. This week the children worked on their statue poses and giving their speech all about the famous Rhode Islander. I am so excited to see the final presentationns.