Wednesday October 19 Day 1

We started the day off by graphing the temperature, and handing in our Reading Response books.
We then went quickly to the Library where Mr. Brutto did a book exchange.  When we returned we did a math problem.   
 "There are 2 classes of 24 students.   They are going on a field trip and it costs each  student $5.   There are 3 adults going with each class.  It costs adults $6 dollars.   What does it cost for BOTH classes to go on the trip?"

We looked at the key information in this problem and students were left to find their own strategy to solve this problem.  It was interesting to see that some used a number line, some used counting by fives while others were able to figure the solution without paper.   After students were asked to come to the front of the class and explain their strategy.

After recess, we did our Math activities.   Geometry, Base-10, adding, and Patterning.

After lunch, we worked on a variety of  literacy activities.    Yesterday we worked on predicting and confirming predictions before and during a text.    Today we reread the same text, and thought about connections.   While I read with small  groups,   students completed their descriptive paragraphs, Journals, Work Work and did independent reading.  

After recess, we continued with Science.   After compiling the students KWL sheets, we looked at the basic information that we know about trees.   We then looked at the questions people had about trees and made a list.   Yesterday we looked at deep questions ( how and why)  compared the the "what, when who" questions.  We talked about how scienctists ask the deep questions.    From the questions they have about things they develop "theories" to explain things.    So today we used one of the deep questions we asked from our list and every student developed a theory.
      " Why do leaves change colour in the Fall?
Here are some examples of theories from students:
      Zane:" My theory is leaves change colour in the Fall because the trees lose the stuff
                  that keeps them green."
      William:" My theory is leaves change colour because it is getting colder.  Leaves don't breath in winter.  The bark filters the air in winter, leaves do it in the winter.  They colour changes because they are dying."
       Sophia :  "My theory is that leaves change colour in the fall because they temperature gets colder.  You know sometimes when we get cold we turn red, I think the same thing happens to the leaves but in different colours."

       We found that the general theory in cour class was that it had something to do with temperature.  Our next step is to use different sources to confirm, dispell or add to our theories.

HOMEWORK:  Journal:  Complete the Journal entry started today.   If you completed it in class,
                                        look over your entry and edit it for spelling, punctuation, 
                                        upper/lower case letters used correctly.                            
                            Read.