Today, after independent reading time and Morning Meeting, we had Reader's Workshop. Today the kids learned again about how to write a Reader's Response - a reaction to a book. This will form one of their weekly tasks once reading groups are up and running. Today we read Bread and Jam for Frances (an 'oldie but a goodie,' as we say in the business...) and then the kids either wrote about a favorite part or a character connection that they had. The inportant thing about Reader's Response is that it includes the word "because." They are doing some really, really nice writing!

After that, we had a short break, and then had Writer's Workshop. We worked again today on stretching words to help spell them - ask your child to sing the song that we learned for you - the lyrics are here. Then the kids went and wrote for about 20 minutes. Again - they are fantastic writers and storytellers!

After writing, we headed off for lunch and recess. When we got back to the room, we read another chapter of Cam Jansen and the Diamond Store Robbery. We then moseyed on down the hall to the Media Center for class with Mrs. Hennen.

When we got back to the room, we had Math Workshop - the kids learned another comparing game, similar to the one that they played yesterday. It's a game like "war" that you may remember from when you were small, but in 1st grade we call it "It's Mine, It's Yours." :-)

We also had a quick review of tally marks - some of the kids had forgotten how they worked form last year.

After math we had science, and we learned about the life cycle of the butterfly. The kids came up with the life cycle of a human first, and then we compared that to the life cycle of a butterfly. They really had some good ideas to contribute to the discussion

After all of that, it was time to disinfect the tables (literally - with Clorox wipes), pack up and head out!