Day 134 - Two Column Notes and BrainPop - Mrs. Casey - Francis Wyman Grade 5

This post first appeared on the Burlington Keys to Literacy Blog

While watching a BrainPop video about poetry, grade 5 students took two-column notes to gain information.  They were allowed to use their notes while completing a multiple-choice quiz about the video. They were able to find important details that went with each section about the video including prose, poetry, meter and rhyme. This is an important skill to learn as many people now get their information from online videos, YouTube, etc.

       

Day 127 - Legoland Field Trip - Mrs. Duncan - Francis Wyman Kindergarten

This post first appeared on Mrs. Duncan's Blog

We enjoyed our field trip to Legoland today.  Students participated in a workshop where they built a top and a handle with a gear to spin the top.  They were quite the engineers!  We spent the rest of our time admiring amazing Lego creations, building with Legos, playing/climbing in the play area, and watching the short 4D Lego movie.  The students seemed to have a lot of fun and may ask you all if they can go again sometime!  We want to say a special thank you to Mrs. Fragoso, Mrs. Miminos, and Mr. Boossarangsi for chaperoning on such a fun trip!

Day 115 - Where is our Earth in the Universe? - Mrs. Lynch - Francis Wyman Grade 5

This post first appeared on Mrs. Lynch's blog

After two snowstorms and 4 snow days, we are finally finishing out our exploration of Earth in the Universe. We have discovered that the Earth spins counterclockwise by placing sundials on ourselves to see where the sun rises and sets. The children explored their own understanding of the vastness of space by making models of the distance between the Earth and the sun. They determined the relative size of the Earth as compared to the sun and more. However, today came as a real revelation when they could put everything they already knew into play along with what we've learned.

As all the students stood around the 'sun' today holding a map of the United States with an X on Burlington, one student stated, "I have to turn counterclockwise because the sun rises in the east and sets in the west. He used evidence to determine which way he had to turn. Success, he used a tool. Another student was struggling to determine which way the Earth rotates around the sun. We were able to draw from the last student and utilize a similar problem-solving strategy. She compared herself to the skillfully spread out summer, fall, winter and spring solstices to determine that the Earth also orbits the sun in a counterclockwise direction.

There is so much more to tell, but hopefully, you have a 202 student at home who can't wait to share.

Day 79 - Francis Wyman 5th Graders Using KTL Strategies - Mrs. Clancy - Reading Specialist

This post first appeared on the Burlington Keys to Literacy Blog

A group of fifth graders at Francis Wyman School are using the Keys to Literacy Comprehension Routine to deepen their understanding of text and non-text. The students are part of an intervention group that is becoming successful in using Top Down Topic Webs and Two Column Notes! This week’s lessons involved reading an article from NEWSELA, taking Two Column Notes, and determining the central idea of the article. Students were then successful paragraph writers! Way to go boys and girls!




During our first meeting, students read the article, Above and Beyond: Teacher’s Letters Make Former Students Feel Special by Sun Herald. The article was found on Newsela, a database of current events stories tailor-made for classroom use. Students worked to complete scaffolded Two Column Notes about the article. Taking Two Column Notes allowed students to record key supporting details. Students gained practice in gathering and organizing information (as well as practicing their reading fluency) as they reread parts of the text multiple times.

At our next meeting time, students revisited the news article and their Two Column Notes. Students were guided to determine the main ideas embedded in their notes. There was a rich discussion of the big ideas. Listening to the students converse, and even debate was exciting. Proud moment! Students added to their Two Column Notes as the conversations took place.

Students used their Two Column Notes to write a short paragraph that explained the central idea of the article. They worked independently to show what they knew. Students used the KTL routine as they increased their comprehension skills. All in all, an exceptional learning experience for our Burlington students! As a Reading Specialist, I am loving what the Keys to Literacy Comprehension Routine are doing for my students. Students are becoming active and strategic readers!