Week 3
Lesson Plan:
A read aloud about igneous rocks and volcanoes. Then, continue to research using the leveled research library
A read aloud about igneous rocks and volcanoes. Then, continue to research using the leveled research library
What happened:
For Monday, I read to my students a book about igneous rocks. They had learned about the rock cycle in third grade. I knew this book would be a great refresher. It led to some discussions about the differences between magma and lava. Students also discussed how particular rocks formed. I read this book to them because I seemed to have gathered several books about rocks and minerals. I also have a new template that I would like someone to try and research a specific rock, mineral, or gemstone. Why? Because rocks are cool!
For Monday, I read to my students a book about igneous rocks. They had learned about the rock cycle in third grade. I knew this book would be a great refresher. It led to some discussions about the differences between magma and lava. Students also discussed how particular rocks formed. I read this book to them because I seemed to have gathered several books about rocks and minerals. I also have a new template that I would like someone to try and research a specific rock, mineral, or gemstone. Why? Because rocks are cool!
My students continued researching for the rest of the afternoon. A couple of students researched on the green level and two students worked together on researching the continent of Africa with multiple resources and a detail template on the blue level. I didn't have as many reports to hang in the hallway this time because the content is getting more difficult with students moving through the research levels. Also, the research process got longer for they have to order paragraphs and sentences if they research at the green and blue levels.
On Thursday, I continued my theme of igneous rocks and I chose a book about volcanoes. This book inspired many questions from the students, such as how will people know if a volcano is extinct? Also, how does a volcano make an island? Students can use a Natural Disasters detail template to research volcanoes if they choose. I seemed to have accumulated many books on volcanoes as well.
Several new students began to research on the green level while I worked with other students at my table. We worked on sentence structure and using words from the question. I did not conference with as many students, so I had more time to work with others. My students who worked on the continent of Africa completed their day with their boxes grouped and main idea for each group or paragraph.
This is an example of researching continents. The boxes are grouped into paragraphs with main ideas. Please click on image to see my TPT store with this detail template.
Week 4
Lesson plan:
Read aloud, mini lessons using the word 'with', print some brochure templates for my students who are stalled at the yellow level but understand the concept of writing a paragraph with a two-finger indent. (This plan did not happen this week, but it was good in theory.)
Read aloud, mini lessons using the word 'with', print some brochure templates for my students who are stalled at the yellow level but understand the concept of writing a paragraph with a two-finger indent. (This plan did not happen this week, but it was good in theory.)
What happened:
On Monday, I read them part 1 of The First Thanksgiving. My thought was to prepare them for the holiday books I ordered from the local library that might arrive in time to research holidays. Kids don't really mind when they are learning something new as long as they are learning something they want to learn. They can research Thanksgiving in January if they want to learn about it. It will bother me that it isn't happening in November, but it won't bother them.
On Monday, I read them part 1 of The First Thanksgiving. My thought was to prepare them for the holiday books I ordered from the local library that might arrive in time to research holidays. Kids don't really mind when they are learning something new as long as they are learning something they want to learn. They can research Thanksgiving in January if they want to learn about it. It will bother me that it isn't happening in November, but it won't bother them.
The rest of the afternoon was at a smooth pace. My bulletin board in the hallway turned over even slower since students began to research more at their level. The research reports about Africa were completed and I received a request for planets, ecosystems, cats, and bobcats.
Holiday Detail Template On Thursday, I read them part 2 of The First Thanksgiving. Then, I quickly reviewed how to maintain the Leveled Research Library and introduced the Research Monsters to some new templates and books I had added. If I’m excited about it, they are excited about it! It is the same with the Leveled Research Library. I spent about a minute reviewing some highlights to maintain the excitement of researching in hopes someone will want to research a new topic. Also, for a limited time, I offered my students an opportunity to research the current modern-day holiday of Thanksgiving, as opposed to the Pilgrims’ First Thanksgiving historical event. I created a new template for researching holidays. I created it for both religious and non-religious holidays. The students worked together to share the resources I obtained from my school library. Other students were not interested in researching this topic so they continued with their current research projects.
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