I was putting together a monthly "highlights" document for our library coordinator and realized a that November has been a fun and busy month. My students and I experienced and accomplished quite a bit! There were three volunteer projects outside of school this month that also added to the busy fun, which leads me to confess that I have not done any reading outside of school in the past thirty days. I plan to remedy this situation and take advantage of this long weekend - I am going to put together a bookstack, make a cup of tea, find a blanket and space on the couch -- and read!
Here are the highlights that I gathered, which are all blogposts from this month, so nothing new to those that follow the blog.
It was Picture Book Month, therefore many of the lessons and units connected to this theme.
Kindergarten:
The kindergarten students were engaged in an author/illustrator study of Denise Fleming. this study involved reading books and watching footage of Denise Fleming creating her art. The study also led us to recognizing those wondering questions that arise while reading and learning about our “wonder wall” (nonfiction neighborhood).
Grade One:
The first grade students took on a nonfiction picture book month challenge, which connected to both my library curriculum and the classroom curriculum. We used a Steve Jenkins author/illustrator exploration to aid in this unit. The students are learning to consume (and later produce) information from multiple sources.
Grade Two:
The second graders took on a nonfiction picture book month challenge, which connected to both the library and classroom curriculum where the students are learning about nonfiction conventions and distinguishing between nonfiction books that are good for research and those that are better for general reading. The students are shared cool facts that they were learning.
Grade Three:
The third graders have been busy reading toward their picture book month challenges and reconnecting with their library pals in Minnesota.
Grade Four
After the philae lander hit the comet, the fourth grade students and I shared a lesson on passion-driven information gathering, which tied in nicely to a review of how to access library resources - at home and at school.
Grade Five
The students continued to learn about our library during picture book month. They created Animoto videos to share their knowledge with the younger students.
Grade Four and Five:
Fourth and fifth graders used technology tools to communicate their thoughts and ideas. They practiced good digital citizenship.
Assessment and Reflection:
Project-Based Learning
the fifth grade teachers and i planned and executed a project-based learning experience related to our community’s behavior expectations.
