We are full on with a study of nonfiction reading and writing. Our mini lessons in reading are presently centered around how to read nonfiction differently than fiction, strategies for decoding, rereading and reading on, and generating conversations about what we are learning and turning those conversations into questions. As the month rolls on we'll take a close look at various text structures; table of contents, captions, index, diagrams, glossary, and headings. We are presently studying Jim Arnosky's collection of All About . . . books. Thank you Jim for painting such a clear picture for kids as to the features of a nonfiction book that they are able to create one themselves. Along with All About books we'll be writing our own How To and Question And Answer books. Right now everyone is feverishly creating lists of all the things they are good at.
Our World Wide Research has taken on a life of its own. I hadn't intended to dive into the animation part of PowerPoint, however, after someone stumbled upon that button the rest was history. Now our slides twirl, crackle, chime, drum roll and have colorful backgrounds. As Ben was quoted in our Blue & Gold article, "It's amazing what you can learn from just one website." I am truly amazed at what they are putting together and at the level of their excitement and enthusiasm. Everyone loves to share their slide show on the new projector and the audience always finds something they can change or enhance!
Hopefully we will begin posting slide shows next week. Stay tuned!
