We began our Global Education Inquiry by looking at photos of how some children around the world get to school. This year, we've had a lot of interruptions to our bussing... but after looking at these photos we all agreed: whether we walk, bike, bus or drive to school this year, we are blessed. As we learn about school traditions in different countries, students are creating a non-fiction booklet of their learning. Each tab of our booklet is dedicated to a different country, and includes 3-4 facts about school traditions, a few sentences to answer a specific question, a picture and a caption. We're also exploring the following resources as a class, and learning so much about how education across our globe has both similarities and differences. Students have been asking about my travels and experiences teaching abroad, so next week I'll present to them about Nepal (and hiking the Himalayas) and then later Kenya/Tanzania (and hiking Kilimanjaro). I can't wait to show them photos of my students and classrooms in developing countries. Spoiler Alert: we have SO MUCH here!
0 Comments
Take a look at the final copies of our #WhatLiftsUs writing. Wow! Doesn't it look great? Your children are AUTHORS! If you would like to specifically see what your child has written, their work is in Google Classroom.
I'm so proud of how students have really worked through the writing process over the last two weeks. First, they brainstormed their ideas using graphic organizers. Next, they wrote a rough draft, and then revised and edited using a checklist we created as a class. Currently, we are in the process of creating a good copy (photos to come!). We also decided to create our OWN set of unique, collaborative wings for this project! Students blended paint for a background and then used a special Prismacolour pencil to create designs. Take a look at our own version of the #WhatLiftsYou wings! The best part: they're what we call "interactive art" which means they come alive when WE jump in the photo! Seriously, LOOK at how INCREDIBLE your children are! I couldn't post all the pics (FYI - I teach 50 kids...) but if you would like your child's wing photo, just email me. You'll also see it when they finish the good copy of their writing (next week's post!)
During our first week of school, each student enjoyed creating a banner about themselves. They're now all hung up in the classroom, making it feel like a home away from home :-)
Comprehensive Literacy
Students will engage in all components of our school board's Comprehensive Literacy Program, including Modeled Reading, Shared Reading, Guided Reading and Independent Reading. What does this look like? Often we will study one rich text together as a class, where I model specific learning strategies. Then the class will work on smaller group Literacy Work Stations (covid-style!). Each activity is designed with explicit goals related to what we are learning and an opportunity to practice these skills (in both reading and writing). While students progress through these centers, I pull 1-2 readers to work on their "next steps" and get some individual reading support. These guided reading groups are constantly changing and really help to increase your child's reading skills. We will be using a wide range of texts, including short stories, novels, newspapers, online texts, etc. I also have a huge personal library, which your child can borrow from at any time. Need to borrow a book? No problem - just sign it out, take it home and ENJOY! Writing This year, students will be writing with both paper/pencil and on electronic devices. Feel free to send in a personal device (phone, tablet, etc) just as long as you are comfortable with it being used in a school environment. In small groups and individually, students will be experimenting with a whole host of writing genres this year - bring on the creativity! During our Literacy Work Stations, we will be practising a variety of grammar, organization, word choice, style, punctuation and other writing skills. Media Literacy Media Literacy involves the ability to analyze, evaluate and create various forms of media. Studying media literacy in school is important to help students better understand the complex messages they now receive through multiple media channels (television, music, Internet, newspapers, magazines, books, video games, music, etc). This year, students will be able to experiment with several media forms, conventions and techniques. Oral Language Did you know that in English, "Oral Communication" on your child's report card includes BOTH listening effectively AND speaking coherently? In French, the report card allows a mark for both listening and speaking, but in English, they are rolled into one (Can you hear me roar?!). As a class and individually, we will practice effective/active listening strategies, as well as several communication skills and strategies. |
Mrs JorgensenThis page is written by Mrs. Jorgensen, who loves the smell of a brand new book! Archives
March 2021
Categories |