Fun with Writing

During reading groups, some stories lend themselves to be re-created, or added on to.  This was the case with two groups this week.  The first group read a legend of how the panther became black and the cheetah got spots.  Here were some of their own verisons they created.

The Legend of How the Flamingo Got Pink, By LL.

Flamingos used to be white.  But there was one, yes one that loved pink.  So for Halloween he dressed up as a pink flamingo. He found that the costume was stuck to him. All the other flamingos tried the pink costum to see if it was true and it was! After that, all the flamingos were pink.

How the Zebras Got Stripes, By KA

Zebras used to be white. Then Zakaria splashed the zebras with ink because he was mad at them. That's how the stripes got on the zebra.

A Legend of How The Parrot Got its Colors, By SOR

The parrot gots its red from flying through a fire. The parrot got its blue from flying through the Amazon river and the yellow from flying through a banana tree.  The parrot got its pink from flying through a flamingo and its green from flying through a lime tree. It got its white streak down its back by flying through a cloud.  The Parrot got its orange from flying through an orange tree.

The second group has read the Brothers Grimm version of the Frog Prince.  The story begins with the Prince already a frog, so this group created a Pre-quel.  Some a still being finished, but here is one published copy for you!

The Frog Prince's Pre-quel, By SKB

Once upon a time there was a handsome prince.  His name was Allex.  Allex's friend was called Aiden. Siince they were friends, Aiden invited Allex to his birthday party. At the party Allex met a mean woman.  Her name was Raichell.  She made Allex go into a privae room and she CURSED ALLEX AND TURNED HIM INTO A FROG! So the frog prince hopped miles and miles...Until he was so tired he fell asleep at the well very close to a castle.

Animal Expedition

On Friday, we went to the Point Defiance Zoo to get an up close viewing of many different types of animals. The students had their "field guides" with them to document their observations. Back in the classroom, we are going to compare our observations at the zoo to their natural habitat in the wild, and become expert zoologists of many types of animals. The Sharks will be using research skills to collect important information and then present in a way that is creative and interesting to them.

 

 

 

Making observations about the Red Wolves

AE and SB were using their map skills to guide us around

Wow!  A polar bear is way taller than me!

These two put on quite the show.  Apparently when the "fight" that means they like each other.

Splish Splash

We started swimming lessons last week, and will continue for the next three weeks. It has been a refreshing change for the Sharks to get some exercise and interact with the older class as well. Overall, we have had smooth transitions to and from the pool (thanks parents for having them organized!). During the mornings, we have been preparing our weather station and ready to collect data on the weather. This week we will become temperature reading masters by providing lots of opportunity to read and record with the thermometers. In addition, the Sharks have been very busy writers. One group is researching and writing a non-fiction guide to Tornadoes and tornado safety while another group is writing a pre-quel to "The Frog Prince" by the Brothers Grimm. I will update you when these stories are completed and I would love to share them with you!!

 

Resolving to Learn New Things

This week, the Sharks have been busy setting goals, and getting geared up to learn about Interactions between Earth and Space. You may hear your child giving a weather report, or describe how the Earth is moving. According to LL, "We have been making windsocks to do weather reports." AE says "We have been reading alot." "We have been doing Hansel and Gretel in reading groups. Hansel was very clever and Gretel was very brave." reports SB. "We've done weather reporting. Science is fun and we can describe things," informs AK. "I learned that reading is a little bit more fun than I thought!" exclaims SOR.

 

 

SB is determined to learn division, so he got the blocks out to act out his problem.

Studying a real weather map to make a forecast

Exploring weather tools

A new year's resolution

Writing for Varied Purposes

I encourage the Sharks to be writing everyday!  I focus on getting their ideas down, while working on consistently using punctuation, proper letter formation and correct spelling.  Twice a week, the students are writing in their journals.  They write about their daily lives, to things that interest them.  We have worked on expository writing--giving a topic sentence and supporting details to an opinion or idea.  Last week, we starting narrative writing.

This trimester, the Sharks will be using the Writing Process--starting with a prewrite- developing ideas using pictures and phrases; writing a first draft; revising their ideas with partners; editing for mistakes; and finally publishing. 

Reading our stories to our peers during revision helps us to make our story better.

ZK and AE are publishing their story using PowerPoint.

SB is creating a newspaper for our community.

We write in our journal several times a week.

In addition, our "community" time has been evolving.  Today, I observed students bartering goods for services, hiring employees, adjusting inventory to reach more customers, applying sales tax, and adding interest for borrowing money.  All these interactions were based on their personal experiences and they are learning from each other.

Mapmakers

Over the next several weeks, we will be examining maps as we continue to look at Interactions in our community.  We have studied several types of maps, and are learning about key features such as a compass rose and map key.  Later we will incorporate topography and map grids.

Also, we are preparing "Squishyland" as our mock community.  Each Shark has their own business (a lemonade stand, a post office, an art store, a labratory, an airport, police station and library).  The students are earning salaries to use in their store.  As they are designing their store fronts, they are thinking about what their businesses need, and how to advertise store hours and prices.  One student is creating a newspaper about the new businesses in town.

Map of Squishyland

The Lemonade Stand

Busy Busy Busy!!

We have had such a busy past few weeks, that I will let the pictures do the talking!

On November 6, we voted for Head of School, Secretary, and President of the United States.  You need to be a registered voter to participate.

SB in the voting booth casting his vote!

SB is signing in at the polling place

We were testing bouyancy and weight with tin foil boats.  LL created a tin foil boat modeled after a canoe.  It held 14 pennies before sinking.

SP and AK were exploring what happens when water is added to fine solids, such as salt, rocks, and flour.  Each time, there was a different result.

KA and ZK are learning how to use a compass as we begin to examine maps and geography.