We discussed possible presentation formats for the assignment. Bobby would like to utilize iMovie for the presentation. I showed Bobby two examples of student's works that I saved from previous years. I wanted to provide a model for him to emulate. It was an effective way to show how visuals can be useful and enhance content that is required for the presentation. Bobby continued to research biographical information for the project.
Session Minutes
60
Minutes Student Attended
60
Lesson Comments
I wanted Bobby to choose a format related to his research assignment. He chose iMovie. I should Bobby two examples of student created movies that I saved from previous years. It was effective engaging him in the creative aspect of the assignment, as well as, providing a way to model an outstanding final product. I was able to show how visuals can be useful and directly connect and enhance the content requirements reflected on the assignment sheet and grading sheet.
This morning we continued studying America. As we have been studying Presidents specifically, we are now beginning to move into American Symbols. Today, we read a nonfiction selection, American Flag by Lisa M. Herrington. We read about the stars and stripes on the flag as well as the different places we see the flag. We also practiced The Pledge of Allegiance. We had fun making a heart shaped American Flag craft to go with our Washington and Lincoln pages. I had taken our last Florida Studies Weekly packet out of our folder and Danny began looking through it. He was asking about Benjamin Franklin and Harriet Tubman again, as we had discussed them before. He was trying to recall if they were presidents or patriots. He wanted to talk more about Harriet Tubman, so he pulled up the Brain Pop Jr. learning video about her. He scored a 4/5 on the follow-up easy quiz. Finally, we reviewed the cardinal directions. He located all 4 when I named them, but he could not name them for me. We will continue to practice until he’s able to provide the names.
In preparation for her test, Morgan did a great job recalling the seven continents and five oceans. She enjoys using the songs to help recall them. She wrote them and was given only one reminder that as proper nouns, they must begin with a capital letter; otherwise she will not be penalized for spelling errors. We are working to make sure the ocean on Georgia's coast is Atlantic, not "Lantik". She had confident recall of her state and country today. She continues to need some minimal prompting with the five border states of Georgia and its capital. She was reminded that the USA has 50 states.
We finished reading aloud The Barefoot Mailman. We will focus on the writing assignment on Friday. I want Stephen to continue to consider ideas that he will be able to incorporate into his writing. My hope is to have him start to develop those ideas on paper.
Session Minutes
60
Minutes Student Attended
60
Lesson Comments
We finished reading The Barefoot Mailman. I want to review the writing assignment with him on Friday. We will look at his initial ideas and explore other areas he may be able to apply to the assignment. My hope is to have him take those ideas and begin to formulate a first draft.
Brogan's class is learning about California, specifically, Sonoma City. We read about the history of the state and Sonoma City. After that, she decided she wanted to focus on the Gold Rush in the 1800s…we read about that from the point of view of one of the miners at the time. She found that interesting and exciting.
This afternoon, we began with a review of Abraham Lincoln. We read a basic fact emergent reader book about him. We then used craft sticks to create a log cabin home. We added a roof, door, and a window with a real penny on it! Next, we sorted pictures that represented facts about George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Danny did a nice job recalling each president. As they are both captured on coins, we examined and sorted real coins. We counted them and discussed that there are other silver coins that aren't quarters and we compared their sizes. We then put quarters and pennies into the proper Washington and Lincoln piggy banks.
Today we reviewed the seven continents and five oceans by practicing with songs. We reviewed her Geography study guide by discussing her country, state, bordering ocean, and capital. We discussed the five bordering states of Georgia. We will continue to review with plans to test at the end of the week.
We read aloud using the "popcorn" method a chapter from The Barefoot Mailman". We stopped a few times to address pronunciation issues related to unfamiliar vocabulary terms. I also asked Ethan if he could define, or describe what the word means. Prior to our reading, we looked at the title of the chapter and I asked Ethan to speculate/think about what may lie ahead in the reading. After finishing a short chapter. I asked Ethan to recap/summarize what he just read. He was a little hesitant at first, but I provided a way to begin the summation and had him continue where I left off. He did a great job picking up where I left off and adding his own details.
Session Minutes
60
Minutes Student Attended
60
Lesson Comments
We read a loud a chapter from The Barefoot Mailman. We previewed the chapter prior to the actual reading. Based on the chapter title, I asked Ethan to speculate/think about what may transpire in the chapter. I also mentioned that we would pause to discuss vocabulary terms that may not be familiar. I wanted him to be able to define or describe the term. Last, when we finished reading the chapter, I asked Ethan to recap what he just read. He needed a little guidance, but was able to verbally express what had transpired.
Jackson continued his research efforts. I was impressed related to his ability to use relevant search terms and find credible sources. Jackson was able to find content that supports the useful visual aids he found last week. This will help him related to making connections to the grading sheet, as well as effectively communicating and addressing required topic areas associated with the assignment. I want to question him more about why the information is relevant and get him to ask himself questions that will lead him to further exploration to find more details that will strengthen his work. I collected his research for a grade. I stressed that we will focus on completing certain amounts of information each session and that I will hold him accountable and expect him to do his best to meet those requirements.
Session Minutes
60
Minutes Student Attended
60
Lesson Comments
Jackson is very adept at using relevant search terms that lead him to pertinent sites, which ultimately help him gather not only credible/valid sources, but more importantly useful text and visual content. Because the assignment involves many steps related to the process of completing it, I am breaking things down into smaller/manageable chunks per session. I am also establishing expectations regarding what I want him to accomplish each session as we progress toward the final product. I will collect, grade, and provide guidance via my written comments and go over those comments when I return his daily work. I have been helping him find pertinent information within the text and showing him how he can make direct connections to the requirements detailed on the assignment sheet/grading sheet. I want to work on developing those skills with Jackson. I want Jackson to begin to recognize content within the sources that apply via asking himself questions. I also, want him to recognize that some of the information may lead him to other areas he can explore and apply to the assignment, as well as, other sources.
Bobby continued his research about Ali. He is improving related to organizing and presenting his research notes in a logical and sequential way. I am starting to incorporate expectations regarding what I want Bobby to accomplish during the session today. I stressed the importance of meeting deadlines. He was very engaged and was able to find relevant information. He would ask questions and we would discuss areas that he was not sure were applicable or necessary. I wanted Bobby to start to see cause and effect relationships concerning the chronology of events in Ali's life. I was excited to hear him begin to ask questions that would lead to self discovery as to making a determination about information that he should/shouldn't use.
Session Minutes
60
Minutes Student Attended
60
Lesson Comments
Bobby continues to progress nicely related to his research assignment. I introduced expectations and meeting deadlines into the research assignment process. I told Bobby he would receive a grade for his work done in class today and that he needed to find biographical information about Ali up to a specific time/event. His organizing and note taking is improving and he is asking questions that will help him determine if information he finds is necessary. I am happy with his progress.
