Update on classroom happenings

Lots has been happening over the past few weeks!  We were lucky enough to be able to see the movie Wonder at the Capitol Theater in a morning matinee just for students.  This was a wonderful follow up to our exploration of the book.  The message in this book and movie is so powerful, and if you haven't had the chance to either read the book, or watch the movie, I really suggest you check one (or both!) of them out.

We have also begun a new writing unit, and our focus for this unit will be writing informational text (this is one of my favorite units because it really blurs the line between reading and writing and illuminates to students that literacy is really a multi-faceted skill!), and for this unit we are working on researching Vermont History.  Students are choosing topics they are interested in, and we have people looking into industry (Ben and Jerry's), the Revolution (Ethan Allen), notable animals (the Morgan Horse), Snowflake Bentley, and more!  During this work we are working on crafting interesting pieces of writing, as well as reading to gain information and take notes. 

Interestingly enough, we have taken a small break from this Vermont History work, and are doing a mini-unit on fish in Vermont.  We are making notes, creating diagrams, and "hooking" our readers with interesting writing.  Some of the drawings students are making are just wonderful.

During our math time we have been working on the two ideas simultaneously.  We have been investigating the relationship between factors and multiples, and the operation of division.  We are working on building the understanding that division is the notion that a certain quantity of a single factor (divisor) can make up a multiple (dividend).  We are also working hard on understanding the thoughts that students are using to help the solve different division questions.  Students are making good progress and are either counting up by the factor, until they get to the multiple, counting down from the multiple by the factor until they get to zero, or using their knowledge of multiplication to find the quotient. 

I hope this post finds you well, and that you have a lovely weekend.

Dave