Literacy Fast Break Wrap-Up for the week of March 24th

This week in reading we reviewed the "un-" prefix. Students read and sorted words with this prefix. We also learned about adding the "-ed" & "-ing" suffixes to one syllable words. Students were introduced to several new high frequency words as well.


We've been working our way through the theme entitled, "Family Time". Our main selection was the story, Thunder Cake by Patricia Polacco. She is an amazing author! Polacco has written and illustrated scores of books for children. Click here to learn more about Patricia Polacco.

Have a great time playing a, Thunder Cake word scramble by clicking here.

Watch episodes of the Literacy Fast-Break Show by clicking below:

Episode 14

Episode 15

Episode 16

Episode 17

Clouds in our Skies

We've been learning vast amounts about clouds. Students are learning the most common forms of clouds. They are also learning how clouds can give us a clue to what type of weather will be heading our way.

Students have learned about cumulus clouds...
These are the huge, puffy, white clouds that are usually out on warm and sunny days.










They are also learning about cirrus clouds...
These are white, wispy clouds usually found high up in the sky. It may be windy when these clouds are around.





Students have learned about stratus clouds too...


These clouds are like wide- gray blankets that hang low in the sky. They usually bring bad weather or mean that storms are on the way.

Students have read about clouds, written about clouds, and observed experiments involving clouds.

Do you have an observation to share about clouds? We'd love to hear it. Click on the, "comments" link to add your thoughts!

Literacy Fast Break Wrap Up 3-4 to 3-8

Click the following links to watch our 2nd week of Literacy Fast-Break shows...

Watch Episode 4

Watch Episode 5

Watch Episode 6

Facing Fractions

I'm sure we all have different reactions to the math term... fractions. The world of math is full of many challenges and potential pitfalls. Fractions may have been fun or fearful for you. Let me say today... Fractions can be your friend! Just embrace them and don't be afraid! :-)

In Unit 8 of Everyday Mathematics we're working with fractions. Students are learning that fractions are equal parts of one (or a whole.) Students are learning to recognize and name shaded fractional parts of a shape. They are also learning to color fractional parts of shape.

Our first activity in the fraction unit involved folding squares into equal parts. We used fraction terms to discuss what the parts of the squares represented.
For example... Students folded a paper into two equal parts. Students then told me that the two parts of the square equaled halves of the square. We then reviewed how to write the numerical representation of the fraction one half: 1/2.



We're learning to have fun with fractions!
What are your impressions of fractions?

Too Err is Human... To Learn About "-er" is Divine!

We are working on the sound chunk "-er" as one of our target skills in reading. Students have been reading messages and books looking for this sound chunk in class.

Below is an embedded video. We have begun using the Literacy Fast- Break Show to learn new skills and practice some old ones as well. Students have loved watching the videos and completing the hands-on activities that go with them.

In this video clip students read a morning message with many "-er" words within it. They then highlighted all the "-er" words on their own paper copy of the message. After that they learned about two different forms of "-er" words.

Do enjoy the video!