Strong Answers

We have co-created what we think makes a strong answer:
1) our answer needs to have 3 or more sentences
2) explain our answer in complete sentences
3) LOTS of detail and information
4) have a strong question (deep thinking question)
5) use prior knowledge and research
6) make sure it makes sense so other people can read and understand it (we decided to get a friend to read our answer to double check this point)

Changing States of Matter

Here is a look at our changing state of matter experiments we did with crayons.  We had so much fun.  As the final step to our experiment we got to draw with them!!  Please scroll down to the bottom of the post, I couldn't figure out how to arrange them differently.

 

WE HAD A BREAKTHROUGH!!!!!

I am so excited today!!  We have been talking about being good readers and what we do when we read, specifically with asking questions.  We know that good readers ask questions before, during and after we read.  We also know that many of our questions get answered as we read.

We had a great discussion today while reading Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress that not all questions are important.  For example, why was the cat wearing a space helmet?  That question was very simple to answer once we read the book.  But the question 'why was Morris wearing the dress?' was more important.  We knew that the dress reminded him of certain things (his mom's hair, tigers and the sun), but that was the EVIDENCE from the book.  We had to think a little deeper to get a DEEP THINKING ANSWER!  We figured out that Morris was wearing the dress because it made him happy and because it reminded him of all those things that made him happy.

So remember, DEEP THINKING QUESTIONS = DEEP THINKING ANSWERS.  Use evidence from the book to back up your answer.  The questions are not just about what is happening in the book but what is important, what is the author trying to teach us?

Matter, Matter Everywhere!

This past week we have been discussing lots of things about matter!  We've even done a few experiments too!  We determined if air takes up space, we also figured out the properties of liquids and solids.  Today we described various mystery liquids and how they were the same and different.  We then conducted a race to see what was fastest: syrup, mustard, or ketchup.  You decide on the winner.

I am also conducting an experiment on making rock candy at home.  Each day I have come in with new pictures of various stages of growth.  My first attempt was not very successful so as a group we decided that I would try again.  These are the first few pictures of my experiment.

The picture on the left is immediately after I poured the liquid into the jar.

The picture on the right is 15 hours after.  Can you see a difference?

Let's hope it grows this time!  If I am successful, we will grow some in class and inspect it with our magnifying glasses.

Music and Language

Hi everyone!

During Music over the last week, we have been looking at and listening to the various instruments in an orchestra.  Check out the new link on the right side of the website featuring the New York Philharmonic Orchestra.

In Language we are learning to read and eventually write adventure stories.  We have been working on what all stories have: title, characters, setting, problem and solution, events (to solve the problem) and an ending.  I am looking forward to writing adventure stories.  I have heard some funny ones already!

Christmas Break is near!

Hi everyone!  We are all getting very excited for the upcoming holiday and being able to spend time with family and friends.  The next five days of school will have special Christmas activities in Language and Math.  On Friday there will be some fun Primary wide activities for the whole morning, like we did for Halloween.  Also on Friday will be pajama day.  Feel free to dress comfortably.

I hope that you all enjoy your Christmas vacation and I will see you in the new year.  I can't wait to hear about all your adventures.

Inferring

Over the last 2-3 weeks, we have been learning to infer so  we can understand a variety of texts.  We have looked at various advertisements for toys, airline companies and cars to determine what the author of the advertisements were trying to tell us.  What is the hidden meaning of the text??  We have learned to use the clues from the text and our background knowledge to 'read between the lines.

We have also read two books that had no words and had to figure out what the author really meant.  They were so much fun to 'read'!