Our First Library Day! Friday was our first day in the library! The students learned a little about how to borrow books from the library and everyone checked out their first book! We talked about WHERE to keep your library book. Remember to choose a safe spot (away from pets and younger brothers and sisters) where you can read it throughout the week AND remember it on Fridays!
In reading workshop, the children began learning about how readers use their imaginations to create their own adventures when they read. This helps children engage in books for longer periods of time. We also read a book called Our Friends from our Making Meaning program. This program fosters a strong foundation for students to develop good comprehension strategies while reading. Remember, comprehension is the most important component of reading. After reading Our Friends, the students reflected on something they learned from a friend. We also used a "Chalk Talk" thinking routine to share which animals from the story we liked.
To add to our "Star Book" list...
- A Pocket for Corduroy (Don Freeman)
- Where the Wild Things Are (Maurice Sendak)
In writing workshop, the children are learning about telling stories from their own lives and how we can share those stories with others. We talked about the role of a good speaker and listener. I asked the students, "What does it look like and sound like to be a good speaker? What does it look like and sound like to be a good listener?" We made a chart of their ideas and they practiced telling a partner their story. We've also practiced drawing simple objects using white boards. This will help them when they go off and draw/write their stories on their own. The students are already learning that pictures can tell stories, too!
In science, the students began learning about using scientific tools! We sang a song about what a magnifying glass is used for, and then the students used them to magnify very small pictures that I had posted around the room. They matched each picture to an average-sized picture in their "science notebook."
Below are some of the books I read to the class to start the year!
After reading My Friends, we discussed different things the little girl learned from her animal friends. Then, the students drew about something they have learned from one of their friends. Lastly, the children used a "Chalk Talk" thinking routine to share an animal from the book they liked. They placed a check mark beside others' pictures if they liked that animal, too.