Week 9
Lesson Plan:
Read a book about a rock or mineral to interest students in the new rocks, minerals, and gemstones template. I made a trip to my school library to check-out the cool rocks and minerals books for The Leveled Research Library in my classroom.
Read a book about a rock or mineral to interest students in the new rocks, minerals, and gemstones template. I made a trip to my school library to check-out the cool rocks and minerals books for The Leveled Research Library in my classroom.

What happened:
The Researcher Monster Club only met on Thursday this week, because Monday was New Year's Day. I began our meeting by reading a book about Diamonds. Then, the research monsters got to work. Three of them researched at the blue level about various animals and one researched Russian blue cats with the cat breed template. (It always amazes me what kids are interested in researching.) Several students organized their boxes into groups or main ideas. Overall, I saw improvement in grouping boxes or details into groups or paragraphs. They also explained why they grouped their gathered information that particular way. I received three completed reports today.
The Researcher Monster Club only met on Thursday this week, because Monday was New Year's Day. I began our meeting by reading a book about Diamonds. Then, the research monsters got to work. Three of them researched at the blue level about various animals and one researched Russian blue cats with the cat breed template. (It always amazes me what kids are interested in researching.) Several students organized their boxes into groups or main ideas. Overall, I saw improvement in grouping boxes or details into groups or paragraphs. They also explained why they grouped their gathered information that particular way. I received three completed reports today.
Week 10
Lesson plan:
Read aloud yellow level books from the Leveled Research Library and review how to use the text features of a nonfiction book for my incoming 3rd graders to the club. Students are to continue to finish their holiday researching so I can return the books back to the library. Prepare for a meeting of showing the new monsters how to research.
Read aloud yellow level books from the Leveled Research Library and review how to use the text features of a nonfiction book for my incoming 3rd graders to the club. Students are to continue to finish their holiday researching so I can return the books back to the library. Prepare for a meeting of showing the new monsters how to research.

What happened:
On Monday, I read a yellow level book about Wombats to start off our meeting. I had one new third grader show up out of 4 permission slips that were returned. I was expecting more, but the permission slips only went home with the students on Friday. It was a small and very quiet group. A couple of students decided to work together researching owls with a book and on the computer. My iPad with the electronic books would not connect to the wireless in the building today. So frustrating! A couple of students finished their Hanukkah reports and a Christmas report was written too. Overall it was a very calm and pleasant meeting. Let's see what Thursday brings. I hope more third graders.
On Monday, I read a yellow level book about Wombats to start off our meeting. I had one new third grader show up out of 4 permission slips that were returned. I was expecting more, but the permission slips only went home with the students on Friday. It was a small and very quiet group. A couple of students decided to work together researching owls with a book and on the computer. My iPad with the electronic books would not connect to the wireless in the building today. So frustrating! A couple of students finished their Hanukkah reports and a Christmas report was written too. Overall it was a very calm and pleasant meeting. Let's see what Thursday brings. I hope more third graders.
On Thursday, I had five new Third graders arrive. I began the meeting by reading a yellow level book about Polar Bears. I reviewed the text features of the nonfiction book and how to use them to find specific information. My two fourth graders in attendance worked on their reports and grouped details into paragraphs. My third graders each started researching a yellow level book of their choice.
I have learned over the years to just begin researching with a yellow level book for third and fourth graders as a way to teach the research process so it is authentic and independent. I also get to know the reading and writing levels of my students and learn about a subject they might like since they chose the topic to research. I have forgotten how meticulous third graders are compared to fourth graders. They so want to do well and please you. Overall, I received three completed reports, but they were the work of great quality and pride. This is going to be an exciting second half of the school year for The Research Monsters Club!
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