Kindergarten Buddies and Snow Day!

Last Friday we got together with our kindergarten buddies in Ms. Antes' class. Third graders paired up with their buddy to help them research their animal for their informational writing. The two classes met in the computer lab where Mrs. Kidder showed them how to go on Encyclopedia Britannica Online to find the information the kindergarten students need to write their report. The kindergarten students need to know about their animal's diet, habitat, and adaptations for winter. Our students did a great job helping their kindergarten buddies with their research. I am so proud of how well our students are taking on the role of mentor and friend with their kindergarten buddy.

Here are some pictures of the two classes hard at work.

                                                                 Cheese!

                                                     Listening to Mrs. Kidder

                                              Ben helps out his buddy, Gus

                           Stephanie and Eloise look for information on the Opposum.

We were supposed to get together with our buddies again today. (Tuesday) We will have to reschedule due to the snow day.

Students have been practicing their dictionary skills. Students have been using their dictionary skills to look up the definition of academic words that the students encounter in their everyday work. ( These words will also appear on the MCAS test towards the end of the year. ) Working with a partner the students determine the part of speech, define the word, and list synonyms for their word. Partners present their word to the class and the word gets added to our academic word wall.

In reading we are reading about the events leading up to the Revolutionary War. Students have read about the Stamp Act, the tax on sugar, the Boston Massacre, and the Bostom Tea Party. Students will be using what they have learned in some fun writing activities.

In writer's workshop students continue work on their biography of a famous American. Students learned about two different ways to organize the information in their biography. Students can choose to organize their information in chronological order or by most important information to least important information.

I hope everyone is enjoying their snow day. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow at school!

                                                      Bulletin  board of students' work

 Ms. Reid, the new snow queen at SES, was correct in her prediction that school would be cancelled today.

:)