Week 16 - Local Habitats and Native Animals
/This past week was focused on learning about the animals that are native to Oregon. We reviewed the types of habitats, vegetation, and climate that we have in the Willamette Valley Region where we live. Then Sea Lions worked with partners to read about the habitats that certain animals prefer to live in, and sorted them into groups based on whether those animals live in the Willamette Valley Region or only in other parts of Oregon. Each Sea Lion selected an animal they were interested in learning more about, and we went to work researching our animals and taking notes as we read information. Each student gets to decide on their own project or method of sharing what they learned with the rest of the class.
In Writer’s Workshop, the Sea Lions worked hard to finish writing and editing their fiction stories. Two authors were ready to share their completed stories at the end of the week. We also spent some time becoming more familiar with folktales and fairytales, as well as brainstorming ideas for the class play we will be starting soon. We began a new read-aloud chapter book called Ellie’s Log which follows a young student keeping a nature journal as she explores outside her home in the Cascade Mountains. The Sea Lions continued reading in From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler and they led themselves in a book club discussion.
We finished up our chapter on multiplication, and the students showed that they can successfully multiply 3- or 4-digit numbers by 2-digit numbers. Next week we will move on to expand our skills in division.
Throughout the week, we enjoyed reconnecting with each other as a class community. We shared highlights from our winter break, shared events we were looking forward to, had dance parties, created conga lines, played games together, built structures together, created art, and laughed lots.
