Friday test, Aesop's Fables buddies and P.E.

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We began the day with our weekly test.  There was the regular spelling words, a question in Science to list 5 common weather conditions, 24 Math addition questions, and three multiple choice questions on the Caravel, the ships used by Columbus and other early explorers to come to North America. The students also had to write a short essay on the debate topic from yesterday: Which holiday is better, Halloween or Christmas.  As it was homework I let the students use their homework to answer the question as an attempt to reward those students who do their  homework and to encourage those who do not. those students who finished the test early could work on catching up on work due, or read or colour.

After recess the Spelling tests were mixed up and given to other students for marking.  After the tests were marked I read an Aesop fables, adapted to rhyme, to the students.  They had to write to retell the story in their own words, draw a picture of the most important event, and write out the central message of the story.  We started with the 'Lion and the Mouse' the message being an act of kindness, no matter how small, can be greatly rewarded later on.  The lion does not eat a mouse and when the Lion is trapped in a net by hunters the mouse returns the favor and saves the lion's life by chewing through the net.  I will read fables and they will retell the story in their words on Friday's at this time until the end of first term when I will switch to reading a novel.

After lunch the students read for 15 minutes before we went to buddies.  In buddies we read with our buddies.  The students learned how to coach and help the little buddies decode the text.  It is good for all our students on many levels and is particularly great for our weaker readers as they learn strategies for themselves in helping the little buddies.

After buddies the students worked on finishing their models of the Caravel ship.  We ended the day with a rip roaring game against the other grade 4 class in the school... It is nice when we can get all the grade 4's together for activities.  

Take care all and have a great weekend.  Mr. W