This week in our J groups we read The Three Billy Goats Gruff. We read the play on Friday to pratice fluency. Please watch this first grade's version of the play. Have children compare and contrast the two different versions at home.
At CLE the Q group is reading the famous Korean fable “The Tiger and the Persimmon.” Watch this short video about how to prepare, eat, and use a persimmon. The fruit plays an important role in this short tale. After watching expalin why the tiger is afraid of the persimmon.
Digital Books are a great way to motivate reluctant readers. Here are some tips for using digital books at home:
At CL many 5th grade classes have just completed their owl units. Mr. Tanenbaum took this amazing photo of screech owl that was perched outside of Mrs. Murphy's classroom for most of yesterday afternoon. This is a beautiful look at owls in our area.
At CL the Guided Q group will be reading the fairytale The Princess and the Dragon. This once upon a time tale features a modern day princess. Listen to Robert Munsch read his book, The Paper Bag Princess. How are these princesses different from classic princesses like Snow White, Cinderella, or Sleeping Beauty? Think about moden day princesses (Rapanzuel, Merida) what characteristics do they have? Compare and contrast these two types of princesses.
At CL the Guided Q group will be reading the book Fake Art, Real Talent about art forgers.Watch the short video below. Are art forgers talented? Why did people love these paintings before they were identified as fakes? Were they great works of art?
Double Fake, Double Take: Art Forgery from Kelsey Abele on Vimeo.
In honor of Women’s History month, we celebrate former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Antonia Coello Novello. When Dr. Antonia Coello Novello was appointed Surgeon General of the United States by President George Bush in 1990, she was the first woman and the first Hispanic ever to hold that office. Her appointment came after nearly two decades of public service at the National Institutes of Health, where she took a role in drafting the Organ Transplantation Procurement Act of 1984. One of her most visible and effective campaigns was against the 1980s tobacco industry advertising aimed at children that featured the cartoon character “Joe Camel.” Continuing her childhood dream to help other sick children, in 1993 she left her post as U.S. Surgeon General to work for the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). She later became Health Commissioner for the state of New York where she continued her efforts to increase awareness for urban health and education.
At CL the Level P groups are reading a non fiction book titled Marry Anning: Little Girl, Big Discoveries. The book is a biography about Marry Anning, one of the greatest fossil hunters. Please watch this play about her discovery. Why do you think Mary Anning is not remembered by history but made some of the biggest discoveries of her time?
The Reading Rainbow App is a great app for reading. Children can choose to read a book themselves or have it read to them. After completing a book the child receives a sticker and unlocks a game. There are many virtual field trip to unlock through reading and rereading books. The field trips provide children the opportunity to explore topics introduced in books they have read. The app picks books the child maybe interested in based on age, gender, and favorite things. The program comes with a free book for each child per device it is installed on. My sons love to listen to the stories and touch the pictures to make the story come alive. Below are pictures from each of my son’s backpacks. Jack picked a pirate theme and a pirate book. Edward picked a space theme and has earned 4 stickers to place on his island. This is a wonderful app that features high quality picture books. When I was a child I loved Reading Rainbow. I am glad that I have the opportunity to share it with my children.
At CL the Level Q groups are reading a non fiction book titled A New Vision. The book is a biography about Sabriye Tenberken (a blind woman from Germany) who opens the first school for the blind in Tibet. Please watch this news story about the opening of her school. What do you think about Tibet's view of blindness (people were born that way because they were very bad in past lives)? How has this affected the education blind people have recieved in Tibet? How will this school change Tibet?