Keep your eyes wide open or you might miss something… the weeks are just sailing by!
Last week was short, sure… but oh, so sweet!
We started Readers’ Theater during Reader’s Workshop. We practiced audience skills while we watched a dramatic reading of “The Homework Lesson” (a short about procrastination). Very convincing performances, Waylon, Jayden, Finn, Ian and Natalie.
Tuesday’s chill and very wet forecast kept us at school and indoor most of the day. We brought the rain inside to inspire teambuilding, dramatic play and creativity. The rain shower in the storyline challenged the Swallow campers to create a shelter. Each canoe-crew was given a length of rope and a sheet (tarp). The campers learned a half-hitch knot and worked together to construct a shelter. The Swallows had to practice skills of active listening, expressing ideas to a group and problem solving. Groups celebrated with snack time in their tent.
Later that day, the tents came down but the rain stayed… or at least the sweet sound of rainfall. With palms, snapping fingers, clapping hands and stomping feet, we created the symphony of a thunderstorm. We then created rainsticks to celebrate water.
Wednesday was largely about film: The morning provided opportunity for digital story groups to revise and edit their storyboard and then their film project. Some groups completed their project and will present at the All –school meeting this Friday.
In the afternoon, we met with Merlin Buddies to lean learn and practice acting, expressive narration and cinematography in preparation for our water movie.
Friday Swallow Writers received their Writing Toolkits with much excitement. The Toolkits are heavy-duty folders that act as carols and showcase high-usage words, editor’s checklists and story starters. As the writers grow, more resources (tools) will be added. Friday I announced that we would have our first Authors’ Tea this year, and some writers eagerly settled into publishing a piece of writing to share.
Whoo Hoo! A full week at last!
This week writers will work to finish publishing a piece to read at our first Authors’ Tea this Wednesday. We will be active-listening audience for our remaining Readers’ Theater presenters.
On Tuesday, Robin will share a beloved book, “Everybody Needs a Rock,” and her Grandfather’s comprehensive rock collection. We will use jeweler’s loupes and a digital microscope to examine properties of these rocks and minerals.
On Thursday, we will return toward Ash Street Field to walk the B-Street trail (last year’s Swallows created a brochure about this project), observe the creek habitat and hunt for rocks.We will use this class collection to further study properties and types of rocks in the next couple of weeks. We will also explore how rocks help support stream ecosystems.
Wednesday we have a library visit looking for recommended books. Please help your child be able to participate by sending their library card. I will not be able to check out books for students. Library cards are free and easy to obtain. Just take mail that shows current address and viola!
Friday we will gather with our Merlin Buddies to work on our water movie. Buddies will create shot lists (this is like a storyboard) for their selected page.
What a week it will be!
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