The kiddos REALLY enjoyed holding and petting the chicks ! They even got to watch them run around on the carpet! Although we were very sad to see them go, it was an amazing experience and truly a miracle to watch them grow and hatch :)
In Fundations, I shared the story "Cod Fish" with the children. After reading the title we predicted what the story might be about. Then, I selected a student to come read each sentence with the Baby Echo pointer and the class repeated each sentence. After we read the story once in this manner, we read it all together with choral reading. Then, the students "made a movie in their heads." I told them to close their eyes and picture the story. Then, I asked someone to describe what they saw in their movie, discussing each sentence. Finally, I modeled retelling the story in my own words and asked a student to retell it in their own words. I was thrilled to see that each child's version was slightly different. Below is a copy of the story if you would like to have your child retell it at home :)
![](http://www.weebly.com/weebly/images/file_icons/pdf.png)
cod_fish_.pdf |
We have been working hard spelling words with digraphs, too:)
In Math, the kiddos played "Make My Design." I created a design on the board using pattern blocks while one student hid in the bathroom. Then, I covered the design and invited the child in the bathroom to come back. We gave the child specific directions using positional language to help her create the same exact design. Then, the original design was revealed and the children were able to see the two designs side by side! How fun!
Then, we played "What's My Rule?" with Numbers. First, we reviewed function machines by having the children apply simple rules to compute several out numbers. After several examples, I showed them some in and out numbers and they tried to figure out the rule. After gathering responses, I wrote the correct rule and asked the children to share and discuss how they figured out my rule. Check out these awesome robot function machine mats I found below :) The children really enjoyed them!
Finally, the children completed their chick journals. They wrote about what they were like after they hatched. We spent some time talking about describing words and brainstorming a list of adjectives we could use to describe our chicks. They are becoming such great writers :) We also included the date our chicks started hatching.
The next day we compared and contrasted the story with "A Baby Duck Story." The children learned the following vocabulary words: release, survive, scoot, and tip.
During Writer's Workshop, the children learned that every word has at least one vowel in it. I explained that vowels can help you spell the middles of words and a vowel chart can help you hear the vowel sound and come up with the right vowel to put on your paper.
I also introduced personal word walls. I explained that every word on our wall is organized under its starting letter and the children will be able to keep their very own copy of our word wall in their writing folder so they can easily spell those tricky words we have been practicing :)
During Literacy Centers, the children rotated through the following stations:
-Math Center: Number Collection Mats
-ABC Center- Label the Sticker
-Writing Center- Writing Folders
-Technology Center- Chrome books
Best,
Mrs. Nork