Nonfiction Reading Strategies

Grade 4 has been working on developing our Nonfiction Reading Strategies. Our big foci have been word attack skills, interpreting visual information, determining main idea and detail, and merging information through synthesizing. 

We have been collecting ThinkMarks aligned with this rubric throughout our Nonfiction reading unit. Now we are going to create a video explaining our thinking about Nonfiction texts and our great strategies with the world.

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Hugo Cabret Visualizing

In Hugo's dark dark house, with Isabelle, they were glancing at the automaton. Their gaze was filled with excitement and shock. The automaton is leaning over the desk, with its pen, hovering over the piece of paper, in its hand. The automaton looks lifeless because its mask has no expression. It looks blank and has black eyes. The automaton looks so fragile and delicate.

Flipped Classroom!

4HR is learning about different geometric shapes and attributes. To help us get comfortable using the new vocabulary in class, let's practice at home.

For each concept, choose one way of finding out. Then, on Friday, bring in your Way to Show Your Learning.

All About Geometry
Watch BrainPop video
Glorious Geometry on Big Universe

Parallel and Perpendicular Lines
Watch BrainPop video
Stone Age Geometry: Lines on Big Universe

Line segment, Lines, Rays, and Points
Khan Academy tutorial
Lines Segments, Rays, and Angles on Big Universe

Angles: Acute, Obtuse, Right
Lines Segments, Rays, and Angles on Big Universe
Stone Age Geometry: Squares on Big Universe

Big Universe Log-in Information
Username: student panther apps

Password: student panther apps

Group Username: libiskl

Ways to Show Your Learning
1) Go on a geometry hunt. Find at least 15 objects that demonstrate different geometric attributes (parallel & perpendicular lines; acute, right and obtuse angles; lines, line segments, rays, and points). In a Google Slide or poster, includ a picture or drawing and identify each attribute.

2) Draw a piece of Art: In your beautiful drawing, include the following geometric attributes (parallel & perpendicular lines; acute, right and obtuse angles; lines, line segments, rays, and points). Make sure to label all the attributes.

3) Brain Pop shape sorter: Sort the shapes. Take a screen shot or print final results to bring in on Friday.

4) Your choice: Talk to Ms. Rich before Wednesday to have your choice approved.

Kindness Fair

Today 4HR shared our projects about Kindness. We could respond to one of these three quotes from our class read aloud Wonder by R. J. Palacio.

How do we know we have been kind?

What is it to be kind, anyway?

Always try to be a little kinder than is necessary.

We had so many different responses: skits, essays, posters, presentations, books, and flip books.

What did we learn about kindness from the book Wonder and our opportunities to respond? Go to our individual blog to read our blog post reflections!

Consolidating Our Knowledge of the Rock Cycle

4HR got to experience the rock cycle last week in the Science Lab. This week we are going to review our learning and share it out! Use one (or more) of the resources below. Then pick one way to share your learning.

BrainPop Rock Cycle video

PowerScienceKnowledge

World Book


Options to show your learning

Share a rock cycle demonstration (ideas at PowerScienceKnowledge)

Take the BrainPop quiz (and email Ms. Heather your results)

Make a BrainPop idea map (and take a screenshot and add it your Google Drive)

Visualizing Wonder

Today 4HR read a passage from Wonder by R.J. Palacio and stopped to envision. This strategy helped us to understand the main character, Auggie Pullman's, daily reality and empathize with his struggles.

"In the hallways, which were always crowded, my face would always surprise some unsuspecting kid who maybe hadn't heard about me. The kid would make the sound you make when you hold your breath before going underwater, a little "uh!" sound. This happened maybe four or five times a day for the first few weeks: on the stairs, in front of the lockers, in the library."

Here is what 4HR envisioned:

I can picture the kids in the hallway, with surprised and shocked looks on their faces. I can hear the gasping noises they make as Auggie walks by. I can picture Auggie walking in the hallway, head-down, speed walking to get to his classroom. All around him, I hear the thumping of his classmates shoes. I can feel him wishing to be ignored, and wanting to duck and cover his face.

What do you envision with this passage?

Amazing, Awesome Story Endings

4HR has been discussing what makes an amazing, awesome, and exciting ending. 

Here are examples:

"I wonder," said Jane.
Mark and Katharine didn't say anything, but they were wondering, too.
But it was a long time before the four children knew the answer." 
-Half Magic by Edward Edgar

It was a bad ending because it sounded unfinished. The good part was the ending left it open for a sequel.

In his eyes shone the reflection of the most beautiful planet in the Universe - a planet that is not too hot and not too cold; that has liquid water on the surface and where the gravity is just right for human beings and the atmosphere is perfect for them to breathe; where there are mountains and deserts and oceans and islands and forests and trees and birds and plants and animals and insects and people - lots and lots of people. 
Where there is life.
Some of it, possibly intelligent.
-Geoge's Cosmic Treasure Hunt by Lucy and Stephen Hawkins

There is a lot of Show Don't Tell in this ending. The author describes this new planet with lots of words. It could have a sequel.

Then together they began to read. They read stories about birds flying north in the spring. They read about picnics in the warm sun. And they read about Buster, the lucky dog who found his bone under the lilac bush.
-Rocket Learns to Read by Tad Hills

This is a cute ending. It matches the book and fits the story perfectly.

Meanwhile Elna opened her box of Cracker Jacks and inside she found... a real diamond ring.
- Meanwhile Back at the Ranch by Trinka Hakes Noble

The ending doesn't tell you important information. There wasn't any Show Don't Tell and the ending wasn't creative. What happens next? It is unanswered. The good part is that the ending isn't too long or too short. It is also a surprise.

Now for homework, you will write a blog post about an amazing, awesome, and exciting ending. Make sure to quote the book, provide the title and author, and explain why it is a good or bad ending.