Reading Responses

Hi Everyone,

For the very first time our students were assigned a reading response. On reading response days nightly jotting is not required.

We have been working hard this year to organically make the transition from jotting to creating a response. Now that our students have gone through the process of creating a big bold claim to support a baby literary essay and then come up with supporting reasons, they are ready to make this transition. They should reflect on a previous jot that represents a big idea, and then write long about this idea.

Please let students do this work independently, and I recommend that they take no more than a half hour to complete their response. Setting a timer might help pace them. I would also recommend encouraging the students to "lead a conference" with you after, so they can explain their thinking and review their work. I want students to feel empowered sharing their ideas!

Here is an example of an exemplary reading response. I am not expecting this quality work with their first attempt, and it does not have to be two pages. However, I am sharing this with you to give you an idea of what we are hoping to move towards.

Thanks for your ongoing support!

Introducing...Hannah Ticoll!!!!!

February 10, 2015

Dear Parents and Students of 3-509,

After four years of teaching, I'm very excited to be taking the year off to study at Teachers College. For the past four years, I was a classroom teacher in French Immersion schools in Toronto where I taught fourth grade, a combined class of first and second grade students, and most recently third grade. Before becoming a teacher, I spent several years volunteering at Frontier College, a national literacy organization that provides free tutoring and other literacy-related activities for at-risk communities. While working with elementary-school children at Frontier College, I became passionate about literacy and decided to pursue teaching as a career.

After teaching for a few years, I decided I wanted to improve my practice by pursuing a Masters Degree. I have always learned the most from watching other teachers and from co-teaching with colleagues so I only sought out programs with internship components. Last semester, I interned in a first grade classroom at P.S. 29 and it was an incredible learning experience. I’m happy to be teaching in 3-509 this semester and I feel extremely fortunate to have been placed with Aimee. 

I am thrilled to be living in New York City this year. I have never lived outside of Canada and I'm excited for all of the new experiences to come.  After living here for only a few months, I am already starting to feel at home and well acquainted with the city. In my free time, I enjoy walking around the city, running and spending time outdoors with friends. I also love reading cooking blogs and trying out new recipes!

            I’m so happy to be working with your children this semester and hopefully I will get a chance to meet some parents too!

Sincerely,

Hannah Ticoll

Weekly Updates 2/9-2/13

EVENTS/NEWS

• We have African Dance twice this week: Tuesday and Thursday.
• Our African Dance performance will be our family Friday event on February 27th!
• Next week is our winter recess- we are on break from 2/14-2/22.
• On Friday we will be exchanging valentines. If your child chooses to bring valentines in, please make sure that he/she has provided one for each student.
• Hannah Ticoll, our fabulous new intern from Teacher's College, will be posting on our blog a little later this week to introduce herself to our community.
• This week students will start to transition from jotting to reading responses. This is when they take a big idea or theory, and "write long" about that topic. I will post an example tomorrow to give everyone an idea. Students will also use a menu insert to guide their planning.
• PLEASE RETURN PORTFOLIOS BY FRIDAY FEBRUARY 13TH!

HOMEWORK

MONDAY: Read and Jot for 30 minutes, sort words into categories in word study notebook, perimeter and area word problem work.

TUESDAY: Read and Jot for 30 minutes, perimeter and area word problem work, OUR FIRST READING RESPONSE

WEDNESDAY: Read and Jot for 30 minutes, word study menu option, Module 3 Assessment Review (assessment is Thursday).

THURSDAY: Read and Jot for 30 minutes, glue words into purple word study workbook, study for spelling test

OVER VACATION: Read and Jot for 30 minutes each day, complete one reading response, work on fact fluency practice activity.

CURRICULUM

Reading: Today we did our final persona character share representing individuals from around the world. We learned a great deal from each other, and our research helped us better understand what life is like in a different country. Today we also launched our next reading unit- Biography Book clubs. Throughout this first bend we are using everything we know about narratives to follow a story telling sequence we often see in biographies. Students are reading in groups and will find that each week their group book bin will focus on a particular subject theme (inventors, activists, leaders, etc.)

Writing: This week we are selecting one of our Baby Literary Essay flash drafts and will revise, edit, and publish our work. In between, we will explore the different ways we can structure our essays, use transitional phrases to connect ideas, and build up reasons with different types of evidence.

Math: Today and tomorrow we are solving word problems that feature both area and perimeter problem solving. Later in the week we will review for the post-assessment, and will take the assessment on Thursday.

Social Studies: This is our last week learning about China. We will cycle through a few more centers, and will learn about Chinese New Year right before we head off to break!

See you soon!

Aimee Bouchard

Weekly Updates 2/2-2/6

Hi Families of 3-509!

I hope this note finds you well in the midst of all of these snowstorms! It was a pleasure seeing many of you Friday for our area "Dream Living Room" activity. This kids had a great time. Please read below for information pertaining to this week.

INFORMATION/EVENTS

• I am excited to announce that Hannah Ticoll is joining our class as an intern from Teacher's College this semester! She will formally introduce herself on the blog sometime in the upcoming week. We are so thrilled to have her!
• This Thursday we are going to the Town Hall Theater to see The Urban Bush Women perform. Please send back permission slips by Wednesday, and send me an email if you are interested in chaperoning.
• This month our Family Friday is taking place on February 27th. We are watching our third grade students perform their own African Dances with Adi, a teacher who has been working with us for the past 5 weeks.
• Please have students practice their African Dance song once each night. I have emailed the song to all families, and it can be played over a phone or computer for students to practice to.

PORTFOLIOS

Portfolios and report cards were sent home this past Friday. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me. When assigning grades, I considered and averaged the following assessments:

Reading: Independent reading level, reading notebook

Writing: Published pieces, writing notebook

Math: Post Assessments, Most recent pre-assessment (Area), and other benchmark assessments

Social Studies: Performance tasks and notebook

Please return all Portfolios by February break, as Parent Teacher Conferences are right around the corner!

HOMEWORK THIS WEEK

Monday: Regular reading and jotting, math (adding and subtracting rectangles to find area)

Tuesday: Regular reading and jotting, math (perimeter), sort last week's word in purple word study workbook, study for spelling test

Wednesday: Regular reading and jotting, math (perimeter), work on new country menu option

Thursday: Regular reading and jotting, math (perimeter), work on new country menu option

Friday: Regular reading and jotting, math (perimeter), work on new country menu option

CURRICULUM

Reading: After researching Chinese persona characters for the past two weeks students had time to role play and represent their characters today. This week is the last week in our current unit, and we started bend 2 today. Now that students are experts at researching about what life is like in another country, they are now reading in new research teams based on other countries of interest. Students chose between Japan, Italy, France, Kenya, Australia, Egypt, and Mexico. Over the next 7 days they will experience the same researching process, but this time they are setting their own work plans and will create their own persona characters (instead of me assigning them).

Writing: Last week we launched our next writing unit- Baby Literary Essay. In this unit students are taking the same idea behind persuasive essay (coming up with a bold claim and supporting reasons), but this time they are focusing on lasting impressions and lessons left on them after reading a text. Throughout this unit we will read a variety of amazing read alouds (Those Shoes, The Paper Bag Princess, The Can Man, Spaghetti, The Pet, One Green Apple) and pull out the big ideas that left us thinking. We will rehearse our essays with partners, create many flashdrafts, and then pick our favorite essay to take through the writing process. This work mirrors our expectations of reading responses, which we hope to move the students into in the upcoming weeks as part of their jotting experience.

Math: After learning many ways to calculate area, this week we are shifting gear and examining calculating perimeter. We will look at attributes of shapes as a means to help us find missing sides.

Social Studies: Today we engaged in a minilesson on the Yangzte River, and throughout the rest of the week we will visit at least two more China Centers.

Thanks for your ongoing support!

Aimee Bouchard

Weekly Updates 1/12-1/16

NEWS/EVENTS

• 3-509 is going to Circle in the Square to watch their plays performed on Tuesday January 20th from 11:30-2 or so. All parents are invited to meet us at the theater to watch performances. If you are interested in joining us as a chaperone, please indicate this on the permission slip. I will announce chaperones on Wednesday.
• We are visiting the Rubin Museum on January 29th! Permission slips for this trip will be distributed Friday.
• Friday January 30th is family Friday.
• Alec is joining us Friday to guest speak!

Homework:

Monday: Read for 30 minutes and jot, Math group work (intro to area), sort words in word study notebook

Tuesday: Read for 30 minutes and jot, Math group work (Area- square units in inches and cm)

Wednesday: Read for 30 minutes and jot, Math group work (Area- square units in ft and m), Word Study menu option

Thursday: Read for 30 minutes and jot, Math group work (perimeter and area), glue word study words in purple workbook and study for spelling test

Friday: Read for 30 minutes and jot, Math HW (review of this week's work)

CURRICULUM

Reading: Today we started our next nonfiction reading unit, Countries Around the World. Students are working in small groups to learn about persona characters, realistic but fictitious student characters from China. During this unit they will learn how to consider what life is like in another place by stepping into their shoes. They will read with the lens of looking for information about their characters that might offer them insight about their lives.

Writing: After publishing their first persuasive essay students have a chance to use all that they know about opinion writing to craft a new persuasive essay, petition, or letter. We are practicing pacing and meeting a deadline, as all students are working through each step of the writing process by Friday.

Math: Today we officially launched our third math unit of the year Multiplication and Area. This week students are learning about square units and how they can be used to calculate area.

Social Studies: We are continuing to visit China centers to learn more about how the land, culture, economy, and history affects life in China. This week we will participate in a mini-lecture about the Yangtze River, and will learn some note-taking strategies to help absorb new information.

Have a great week!

Weekly Updates 1/5-1/9

Happy New Year Families of 3-509! I hope you had a restful and relaxing break with your families.

NEWS/UPDATES

• We have two exciting field trips coming up this month! On January 20th we are visiting Circle in the Square to see student plays performed by real actors! Our performances will take place between 12-2 that day. Then, on January 29th we are walking to the Rubin Museum to participate in the Silk Road: From China to the West tour to support our current Social Studies unit. These trip slips will be sent home within the next week.
• Family Friday will take place on January 30th.
• Consider signing up to guest speak in room 509 sometime in 2015! We have many slots available. Visit 
  www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0F4EA8A823A0FA7-center to view dates and options.

HOMEWORK

We are starting the new year with several math assessments and check ins. Our next Unit, Multiplication and Area will officially start on Friday. Because of this we have not had math assignments the past 2 nights, but students are encouraged to work on their review games from break for extra reinforcement or practice.

We are also in the midst of wrapping up our Nonfiction Reading Unit. Students are currently creating either a brochure, poster, or diorama in class, highlighting 3-5 main ideas learned about their selected topic. For the past two nights I gave the students extra time to finish any additional reading, researching, or jotting to support their in class work. They have had 3 days to work in class, and will present their work to others tomorrow.

MONDAY: Read and jot for 30 minutes, work on nonfiction projects for 20-30 minutes (this could be creating a diagram, creating a written portion, or conducting any other necessary research.)

TUESDAY: Read and jot for 30 minutes, work on nonfiction projects for 20-30 minutes (this could be creating a diagram, creating a written portion, or conducting any other necessary research.)

WEDNESDAY: Read and jot for 30 minutes, work on nonfiction projects for 20-30 minutes (this could be creating a diagram, creating a written portion, or conducting any other necessary research.)

THURSDAY: Read and jot for 30 minutes, complete introduction to area assignment

FRIDAY: Read and jot for 30 minutes, complete area assignment

CURRICULUM

Reading: This week we are wrapping up our Nonfiction Unit by creating informational posters, dioramas, or brochures highlighting main ideas learned about a given topic.

Writing:  This week we are adding powerful language to evoke emotion from our readers in our persuasive speeches. We also crafted conclusions that leave a lasting impression. At the end of the week we will go through the revision process before publishing our first of 2 persuasive pieces.

Math: This week we took the Unit 3 Preassessment, as well as a fact fluency check in. By the end of the week we will launch Multiplication and Area.

Social Studies: Today students completed their first China center rotation, and engaged in a Mini-lecture about the Great Wall of China.

Weekly Updates 12/15-12/19

NEWS/EVENTS

• 3-509 is running the winter farm stand this Wednesday from 8:00-8:50. Students should arrive as close to 8:00 as possible to maximize their experience!
• Family Friday is this Friday! We will do an interactive read aloud about China, and will have an opportunity to grow some ideas in mini-accountable circle groups.
• Winter recess is approaching. We will be on break from 12/24 to 1/5 (Returning to school the 5th).
• Our class is going to Circle in the Square on January 20th to see student scripts performed.

Homework:

Monday- Read for 30 minutes and jot, math homework, sort words in notebook. If applying to lead a review seminar, applications are due tomorrow.

Tuesday- Read for 30 minutes and jot, math homework.

Wednesday- Read for 30 minutes and jot, , math homework, word study menu option.

Thursday- Read for 30 minutes and jot, complete review for post unit assessment, study for spelling test.

Over the weekend: Read each day for 30 minutes and jot.

CURRICULUM

Reading- This week we are using questioning and context clues as strategies to dig deeper and find more information about our nonfiction topics. Students will be switching to a new interest bin with their partners, and will eventually decide on a topics they would like to teach others about.

Writing: This week we have shifted into drafting our first persuasive speech, and today we categorized reasons and wrote long about those reasons. Our goal is to publish one persuasive speech before the vacation, and then let the kids have an opportunity to go back into their notebooks and select a second topic worth speaking about. We are exploring the idea of turning these speeches into kid "TED Talks," so that they can be shared and viewed by others.

Math: This is our last week in Multiplication and Division 1-9 Facts. This week we are reviewing word problem strategies such as bar models and other property work, and we are also working with the class to develop goal setting center work to ensure understanding and practice of all topics covered. The post assessment will take place Friday.

Social Studies: This week we are launching China! We are visiting flash centers (quick 3-5 minute experiences) involving quick samples of treats, the study of some real artifacts, and some images of parts of China. This will help us get a taste of all the great things we will learn more about in the weeks to come!