Reading Thought Trails

Here's how we keep track of our thoughts in Reading Workshop.  I'm reading to the class the novel Wonder by R.L. Palacio.  At regular intervals, students jot down, using mostly a bullet point style, their reactions, predictions, questions and observations on post-its that have been pre-positioned in their notebooks.  

We have pages and post-its for characters, setting, figures of speech, conflicts/solutions etc. These thoughts and notes are used for frequent discussions as a whole group or with partners.  Later these thought trails will assist in "writing long" about various themes we've identified.    This technique will be used through out the year.  Students will post their thoughts on the actual pages of books they are reading independently, or with partners.  Once those books are finished, the post-it thought trails are removed from the book and placed on notebook pages as you see above. 

Weekly Town Meeting

We start each week with a gathering around the flagpole for "Town Meeting."  We sing, recite and listen to presentations.  It's a great way to stay connected with everyone in our Lower Division. 

Afterward we usually go to the school library to read and check out books.  This week we posed by one part of our  new school playground equipment.  It was a gift of SPA, the Shorecrest Parents Association.   

Learning to Keyboard

Four times a week, fifteen minutes each all fourth graders use a program called Type to Learn 4 in the Computer Lab.  Everything is at each student's own pace.  Notice Leah is not looking at her hands....because there's a cover hiding the keys.  

Being "Electrons"

It's hard being an electron squeezing through a light bulb's filament.  Ask a fourth grader to explain.

Math Student Reference Book

A study in focus,  Carson and Oliver quickly but accurately demonstrated their ability to work together and navigate successfully around our math resource book.  They were the first to finish the activity and later took turns discussing the results.

Thumbs Up for Abby's Challah Bread

Abby and her Mom bake this braided bread on Fridays.  It takes many steps and about six hours start to finish.   It's fluffy sweet inside and salty crunchy on top.  Thanks, Abby.

Managers of This and That: Our Jobs

Everyone has a permanent job.  Most students got one of their top three choices.  They had to apply and try out. 

Sebastian is the lunch and snack manager.  He is also the line conductor.

Sarah is the class messenger.   

Here she's off to deliver our thank you's to SPA for our new playground.

Channing sharpens our pencils.

Oliver is one of our two inspectors, and also keeps track of our reading/writing bins.

Shaherzad is the other inspector.  The job involves making sure the seat pockets and desk shelves don't get too stuffed and disorganized.

Carson is in charge of doors, furniture, shades, and lights.  Anything that opens or closes, or goes on and off. 

Brenna's our distributor.  All things handed out or collected, that's her job.

Kyle and Ronan are our recess managers.  They keep track of our equipment and round up the class when it's time to come in. 

Julia is the Science and Math gear manager.  Here she is with some of our electrical circuits items.

Abby handles the daily schedule and reminds us to be on time for special classes.  

Ryker is the "happy class" problem solver.  He is also the substitute who does the job of anyone absent.

Mario, on the left, takes care of our bookshelves on both sides of the room. 

Shannon and Caitlyn are the technology managers.  Here they are checking out our new 4th grade rolling lab. 

Mac is the Geography manager.  He helps me provide websites, books and projects for our global studies.

Line Leader Louise (try saying that three times fast) helps us go where we need to go.

Rachel is the front board, shelf and daily calendar manager.  She also creates an original drawing each day.

Leah is our recycler.