Ben read an informational passage about Sarah Breedlove and identified three sentences to summarize. He read two similar summaries and selected the better choice, pointing out opinion words that should not be included in a good summary. After a brief recap, we read the next 2 chapters in 'Dinosaurs Before Dark,' noticing how Jack and Annie's actions follow their character traits. Jack always thinks first while Annie rushes right in. Ben also completed a reading comprehension activity on Reading Eggspress with 100% accuracy.

Ben recalled the last three nonfiction books we read and the information they contained. He compared fiction to nonfiction, stating the author's purpose for each. We began reading the first Magic Treehouse book, learning about Jack and Annie, the two main characters. Ben relates more to Jack, who likes real things and is usually careful with his actions. He also began a new lesson on Reading Eggspress, practicing reading for comprehension.

Hank and I are attempting to finish 'Wonder' before the winter break, so we spent our whole session reading. We read the last three chapters from Justin's perspective and began reading again from Auggie's perspective. As we read, we noted the use of figurative language, and we read closely to understand Justin and his relationship with the Pullman family.

Ben read a nonfiction book about Whales. We noticed the different text features, and Ben explained how they each helped us understand. He explained the author's purpose and compared this book to 'Bee Dance' and 'Give Bees a Chance.'

Hank continued reading 'Wonder' from Justin's perspective, which creates challenges because it is written without capitals and quotation marks. He summarized the differences between Justin's family and Auggie's family. We reread when the meaning became fuzzy due to the unmarked conversation. After reading, Hank practiced identifying types of figurative language within 8 passages with 80% accuracy.

Ben read a nonfiction passage about the dangers of getting a sunburn. He identified three sentences that would make a good summary and correctly identified three non-examples. We read a new nonfiction book about bees and compared/contrasted it with the one we read last week. Ben easily pointed out the main contrasts and the new learning in this book. He completed a lesson on ReadingEggspress, answering comprehension questions with 80% accuracy.

Hank reviewed the figurative language types we have been working on and completed a Venn Diagram identifying one or more uses in a set of sentences. He read the next several chapters in 'Wonder' from Jack's viewpoint. We learned more about the "war" between Jack and most of the other 5th grade boys. As Julian seeks to separate Jack and Auggie, their friendship just grows stronger. Hank read the first chapter of the story told from Justin's perspective; he immediately noticed how the writing style changed to reflect this new character.

I introduced Alliteration as the 7th type of figurative language writers use to make their writing more interesting. Hank created four sentences of his own using alliterative patterns. We read the next three chapters of 'Wonder.' One chapter contained several different writing forms, text messages, emails, and letters. In particular, one email was written in a challenging style, so we slowed our pace and read closely. We learned more about Julian's mother and her view that Auggie should not be a Beecher Prep student. We also learned how she and Julian plot to have him removed.

Ben began reading a nonfiction book,' Give Bees a Chance.' We paid close attention to how the text features-including titles, headings, captions, and illustrations-contribute to the text's meaning. We compared it with 'Mrs. Dole is Out of Control' and found mostly contrasts. Ben was able to identify new information and to explain the author's purpose.

Ben reviewed the first characteristic of a good summary and learned another. He read a fiction passage and identified 3 events included in a good summary and three that were opinions and should not be included. He finished the last two chapters of 'Mrs. Dole is Out of Control' and gave his supported opinion of the book.
On the Reading Eggspress site, he began a new lesson reading and answering literal and inferential questions.