Welcome!

We will use this blog as a way to share ideas, strategies, as well as what we've been doing in class with all of you.  Please check back periodically or subscribe to the blog so that you can see each update!

Writing
We have been learning about writing a narrative focusing on a small moment in our lives.  We have talked about picking something simple to write about, such as going to get pizza, and beginning at the main action of the story and telling as many details as possible.  We have recently begun to revise these pieces, moving them toward publishing.  In the revision process we have conferred with our writing buddies.  In the conferences we ask our buddies to tell us the story and then we ask questions to our buddy about the story in the hopes of learning and adding more details.

    

Knee to Knee with our writing buddies we ask them questions to stretch our our details!

 Showing P.R.I.D.E.
Remind your student at home they can show P.R.I.D.E. as well.  Stay in-control, stick-it-out, be dependable, while being respectful and doing the best they can.  It's a lot to ask but your students are doing it every day!

Beat the Calculator
Here's a great game you can play at home to practice your Fact Power.  Here the students are playing in groups of three, but you can easily adjust this at home to more or less participants.  One person is the "Brain", one the "Caller", and one the "Calculator".  The Caller calls a fact out (ex. 4+5=).  The Calculator types it into the calculator as fast as he can.  Meanwhile the Brain calculates mentally.  Whoever gets the answer first calls it out and if they're correct they get a point.  Is it possible to Beat the Calculator?  With Fact Power, anything is possible!