We just had a faculty meeting and a union update after that about the budget situation. It was so depressing. Sigh. I think I will just do my job and not think about it.
We did some review today of the “Bridge Dancers” story. Besides talking about the setting, characters, and plot structure, students made some Thinking Maps. They focused on the two characters of Callie and Maisie and made a Double Bubble map to compare them. Here is one cute example:
After recess we practiced the play. We also discussed the Mexican-American war. Students read a chapter about this from the history text. Tonight they will have a chance to reread and review this as the do their study questions.
After lunch, we did more with the Hands-on Equations program. I think I have talked about this before, but it is a really wonderful way for the students to visualize the manipulation of algebra problems. We did several problems together. I wrote an equation on the board and the students set it up using the pawn pieces and the number blocks.
We then discussed what to do step by step to simplify and solve the problems. They moved the pieces on the their placemats, and I showed them how these changes would be written mathematically. Once they felt comfortable doing a few problems with me, I allowed the students to work through the rest of a worksheet at their own pace while I walked around to help. They were also collaborating with each other as we did this. They had a good time!
Homework: (1) Do the spelling scramble. Be sure to refer to the words on Monday’s list for the answers. (2) Do “Fact from Opinion” and “Stories Behind the Headlines” handout. Also do “Mexican-American War” study sheet. Students will need their California textbook for these assignments. (3) Do “Factors,” Math pages 294-295, and also “Factor Numbers” page 297 in the same book.
A few students also need to finish the Double Bubble map.
2 comments:
I found your link on opencourtresources.com looking for IWT ideas. I am so impressed by your site. I can see you put a lot of time and effort into describing your day and showing off your students' artwork. I would love to start up a website, too, one of these days. Our class has been doing some social studies-based art and writing projects about the California missions, important figures from the Civil Rights Movement, what life might have been like without Dr. King, and- like your class- President Obama's inauguration. Happy New Year from your 4th grade neighbors down the street!
Yes, Mr. Bassett is a very good teacher who isn't afraid to think beyond the box. We are very lucky to have him! In the future, it will be nothing unusual to have teachers, parents and classrooms connected online. Once this generation grows up to be teachers, it will be a whole new world in the classroom.
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