RACE Strategy

Spelling Week #9

Day After Break...

The first day back from a vacation (or long weekend) is always a bit of a talkative day for our students.  We keep telling them that they have 2 State Tests in just 5 months - NO TIME TO WASTE!  I don't think they seem to understand exactly how much their performance on these tests matter.  Parents, please talk to your students and let them know how important their attention, hard work, and performance matter on a DAILY basis!

• 1st/2nd - Math Block
• After doing number talks and the daily number review (problem of the day) we did the interactive lesson for GoMath 5.2 with the entire class.  Afterward, we broke into groups (based on ranking in STAR Math) to work on different task/processes to meet our learning target for the day. 
• My group started with a review from Wednesday by looking at word problems.  We reviewed how to use the multiplication tables chart and then started unlocking the problems.  After sufficient practice, they independently completed lesson 5.2.  I checked their work and gave them a stamp in their book if they got it.  If not, they went back to work on problems missed.
• 3rd/4th - Literacy Block
• We started with the Spelling Pretest for the week.  The words focus on the LONG I sound this week (i, igh).  After that, we went over the learning targets for the day and then reread the story about the Athabascan Indians, paying special attention to the text features and author's craft.  We asked questions that needed text support, and then went over how to answer short response questions.  
• Students had to answer a task.  We went over how to turn the question into the first sentence.  How to answer the question.  How to give an example. And how to repeat the initial question as a sum it up sentence.  This is known as the R.A.C.E format of answering questions.
• Restate the Question
• Answer the Question
• Cite evidence (give example)
• Explain (sum up your answer)
• If you want to learn more about the Athabascan Indians, Click on this link!
• 5th - Lunch
• 6th - Dance with Mr. Nunez
• 7th - Science
• Intro to Energy!   We will be studying Energy in science in the classroom as our nonfiction topic.  Today we watched a 10 minute video on SOUND on Discovery Education and then the students had to answer a 10 question (what you learned) assessment.  We will be talking about all the forms of energy, with a focus on SOUND!  We looked at the chapter in the Science Text and discussed the nine new vocabulary words we would be encountering in this chapter.  The students have to look these words up using the glossary tonight for homework.

Homework:

1. Vacation Packets DUE WEDNESDAY (NO EXCUSES)
2. Math - Page 271-272 (McD Group - Just 271)
3. Spelling - 2 X each Page
4. Science - pg. 355 (Define 9 Vocabulary Words)

Little Picassos in Action!

Thankful It's Wednesday!

• 1st/2nd Periods - Math Block
• After number talks, we did the Problem of the Day.  We watched the On The Spot math video and stopped it and discussed the ideas and concepts on the way.  We ended our whole group work by doing the interactive lesson to unlock the problem of the day and the show your work. 
• In my small group, we went over the homework.  I passed out a multiplication table and we went over how to use it.  Then we looked for certain combinations to make sure they knew how to use it.  Then we looked for PATTERNS in the tables.  Finally we talked about multiples.  

• Multiples:  Numbers that are products of a given number and whole numbers. Some multiples of 6 are: 6, 12, 18, 24... 

• We worked through the the unlock the problem and once they showed they understood how to use the multiplication chart, they worked on the problems independently.  Once I checked their understanding, I gave them the Re-Teach problems (just 2) for a quick check and everyone in the group was successful! 
• 3rd/4th Periods - Literacy Block
• We finished lesson 2A.1 today.  Yesterday we didn't get to the writing lesson, so today we reviewed all the sections from yesterday and then talked about comparing the topic using THEN vs. NOW.  We read the target pages and then talked about what were they like back then.  We looked around the text for examples of how they act NOW.  Then we partnered up the students and they broke out around the room to examine the text and find evidence of THEN vs. NOW in terms of getting food.  
• When they finished their buddy work, they showed me and then they could either independently read, take an AR test,  study for their spelling test, or check out a new book from the library.  The last 15 minutes of class we did our spelling test.  Since it was a short week, we did only 10 words. I picked 10 words off the last 8 lists that they had difficulty with.
• 5th  - Lunch
• 6th - P.E. with Mr. Hoffman
• 7th - Last Period
• To end the day, Mrs. Avalos led the students in making a "I'm Thankful" turkey arts and crafts activity.  It was really cute watching them make their turkey. I will upload the pictures as soon as I download them off my phone.   After we were done we cleaned up the room and got ready to head home for the 4 day holiday weekend.  

Homework:

• Packets were given out Tuesday.  There is a reading/writing activity, a examine the picture activity, and two short math activities for the students to complete.  We also sent home a Wild Turkey of North America informative coloring book that is FOR FUN!  They can color it and then read it.  Have them read it to you and learn all about the North American Wild Turkey!

Tuesday in Room 304

• 1st/2nd Periods - Literacy Block
• I picked the little ones up at 8:15 and we were working by 8:20!  It was a good morning in terms of what we were able to accomplish.  Ms. Almarante picked up her students and then the rest of us worked on our Word Word (Word Ladder).  
• After word work, we moved to the floor to go over Unit 2A.  We went slide by slide discussing what was coming up, what we needed to learn before the performance based task at the end, and talked about the levels of the texts and how they will have to pay close attention and ask questions because they are hard this unit.
• Finally, we went to the matt to do our close read.  We had quite a bit to read today.  We read all the pages and right when we finished BING BING BING - Fire Drill!  That ate up 15 minutes of our block, but we got back in time to go over how to use a graphic organizer to show main idea and supporting details and to go over the comprehension questions for the read.  
• 3rd/4th Periods - Math Block
• We started the math block with a number talk.  Still focusing on using mental strategies to subtract ever increasing numbers.  After number talks, we did a quick daily number review and then set the desk up for the Performance Task for Chapter 4.
• Mrs. Avalos read each question out loud to the students and gave them time to process and work on each question before moving to the next.  
• With a little time left over before lunch, Mrs. Avalos read from our class novel to calm the children down after a test. 
• 5th -  Lunch
• 6th - Science with Ms. Galan
• 7th - Catch Up Block
• After returning from Science - we took the time to have the students test on our last AR book, We went over the parts of the story, refreshed the main characters, setting, and plot, and then let them take the test.  We ended the day with quiet Independent Reading, and copying down homework.

Homework:

• Math - Chapter 5 Show What You Know (pp259-260)
• Reading - Lesson 2A.1 Written Response
• Spelling - Practice for Review Test

Check Em Out....

Class 304 Has The Moves!!!!

Monday Before Thanksgiving Break

Considering we are just a few days before break, I am really proud of the hard work the students are showing.  We have had a busy day of assessment and for the most part, the students have been working hard and behaving quite well.

• 1st / 2nd - Math Block
• We started the class by doing a number talk using bigger numbers to subtract.  It is nice when you can start to see the strategies and ideas discussed get used by the students.  It has been slow, but I can see that there are some students who are getting it.
• We went over the homework (Chapter Test/Review).  We told students on Friday before they left that if they had any questions on homework to CIRCLE IT... and we would make sure they got it before the test.  We only had to stop and focus on about 5 problems from the homework, so that is a good sign.
• Students had the remaining block to work on their Chapter 4 Test.  Walking around it was pretty clear that the students are NOT practicing their math facts.  We have to learn them.  It is just that simple.  Practice with flashcards.   Write them down.  Listen to the multiplication rap.  Do whatever you need to do to get these facts to be automatic!
• 3rd/4th - Literacy Block
• Today was all about completing the News Article on a living thing.  Some students finished within the first half of the block and were allowed to read independently, take AR tests, and use the ipads.  
• The rest of the students continued working until we were ready for lunch.  Students who are not finished will turn in their work as is.  They have had over a week to complete this task.  On the state test they only get 90 minutes!  Students who didn't do it will not get recess until their article is completed.  
• We ended the literacy block by looking at a preview of Unit 2A.  The focus will be writing a narrative.  We will be reading the novel "A Year of Miss Agnes" and the students will have to, based on what they know about the characters, write what MIGHT happen after the book ended (sorta like the NEXT chapter).  

• 5th - Lunch
• 6th - Dance with Mr. Nunez
• 7th - Upon returning from dance, Mrs. Avalos passed out the Math Homework (Multiplication Turkey) and I passed out the Spelling Review and Reading/Language Work.  We went over all homework and then students were able to finish their writing assignment or quietly read.  

Homework:

• Math - Turkey Practice
• Reading - Capitalizing Names
• Spelling - 2 x Each (REVIEW LIST)