This week we will be learning about the attributes of realistic fiction, while challenging our "readers' minds" to learn what they are doing as we read. We are learning to catch ourselves question the author, make predictions, summarize what we are reading, make inferences, create visual images, and make connections to what we read. This takes some practice, and I have a foldable that we use in class for this. We are learning about writing reader response letters about our independent reading, and finally we are up to reading 20 minutes uninterrupted during independent reading. I'm working with your children to make choices that are "just right" for their reading levels. This Friday is our first time to visit the library, where they will also be encouraged to choose books that are at an appropriate level.
More specific to writing, we have reviewed capitalization, and this week we will take a closer look at nouns and verbs and how they are used in sentences. Using a couple of mentor texts to guide us, we will begin our first personal narrative. We have created about 5 quick writes to get us started and from which students will choose to write their own narratives. I will be working with students independently to reach writing goals.
In social studies the students have been working on a mini research project dealing with a Texas landmark. These will be on display on Back to School Night this Thursday. In addition to this, we are beginning to learn about the 4 major regions in Texas as we discover the animals, climate, and vegetation unique to each.
PLEASE remind students about the expectation to follow directions the first time. We are having a difficult time with this as a class. We will keep working on it until we master it. Any support you can give at home I greatly appreciate it. :)