To substitute for Maya's Wilson class, we read "The True Story of the Three Little Pigs," and "Edward the Emu." Maya was very excited and knew these stories by heart, so we had a very good discussion about the morals or "bigger message" of each story.

Maya read "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" (level I) from RAZ Kids independently today. I read aloud chapter 2 of "Show and Tell". We completed a story elements graphic organizer on the chapter focusing on the main beginning, middle and end events. Maya was very distracted, but did discuss the story. She was exited to continue composing her story. She almost completed the beginning using her prewriting list. She is working hard on typing independently:)

Finger exercise, review, new pieces, singing

Today in math class, Maya completed an 8X timed drill. She practiced reciting the multiples of 8s. Maya learned simple division facts for 8 and 7 through practice writing out fact families. Maya continued to work on her topic test review packet from the last topic. Maya continued her FF program. She played Cosmic Reader, where she is focusing on following and recalling multi-step directions. Maya also played Sky Gym. We used LB time to complete the topic test review in math, so she will be prepared for the test tomorrow.

Maya and I read a book about Martin Luther King, Jr. We discussed the terms minister, Civil Rights, advocated, and the Nobel Peace Prize. We watched a video with real footage on his life and work via National Geographic Kids. We discussed a biographical glossary and dictionary as we used each. Maya created a poster about his life, writing a paragraph with details, complete sentences, and proper writing conventions, and she illustrated her biographical paragraph.

Maya read closed and v-e syllable words and identified the syllable type for each word. Maya did a great job on this exercise.

Despite Maya's doctor's appointment today, she was AMAZING in our session. We started the writing process yesterday and Maya was so excited to write her story we continued today (I was planning on doing word work). She successfully completed prewriting the beginning, middle and end of her story, which consists of listing ideas and events for each section. She was then ready to begin drafting. We started on the computer. She was so determined, but became very tired and fatigued. I noticed her eyes watering:( We stopped and Maya enjoyed snack with her friends. She worked very hard today.

Today Maya practiced her 8X tables by reciting the multiples of 8. She took a timed test and showed improvement. She will be quizzed when she can complete 25 problems in under 2 minutes. Maya reviewed and practiced writing fact families using both division and multiplication facts. In Lesson 8-2, she worked with facts families using numbers 2, 3, 4, and 5. Maya began her review for Topic 7. In L-B, Maya began a new story about a wolf spider. She was able to correctly answer questions which support her ability to picture each sentence. Maya was introduced to the vocabulary in the story and will continue to work on this story in her next class. She continued her FF program. Jumper Gym has been tricky for her lately since the game is having her recall 5 sounds (sweeps), as opposed to three or four. Maya had a great day. During snack and other opportune moments, she has been learning some french. She is doing a remarkable job at retaining new phrases and vocabulary words in french. Great day, Miss Maya!

Maya and I finished our discussion and research on holidays. We completed a graphic organizer on customs, including holidays and dance. Maya and I researched traditional cultural dances from around the world including Hawaiian hula dancing, Irish folk dancing, traditional African dancing, Native American tribal dance, and the Tango. We watched videos on YouTube of each kind of dance and discussed the music, costumes, and cultural differences. Maya completed a compare/contrast chart on cultural dance using complete sentences and proper writing conventions.

When Maya came in today she said she was feeling very tired, so we began our session with a read aloud from Show and Tell. I read one chapter and then Maya helped me complete a story elements paper. Then Maya read the first chapter in Mercy Watson and she completed the story elements paper on her book. She asked me to write for her. I wrote 2 responses and she wrote 1:) Next, Maya and I discussed writing a story. I would like to go through the writing process with her, so we began today with prewriting in a yellow legal pad. Maya listed story ideas for the the beginning and middle of her story.