Compare and Contrast

For the past two weeks my 2nd grade small group reading students have been reading The Pumpkin Seeds by Marjory Ulm.  Since we recently studied and read about corn, it was the perfect time work on compare-and-contrast.  First, we needed to activate background knowledge and learn/identify vocabulary words.  We focused on only four words: blossom, sprout, and vine.  Sincere also suggested the word prickly.  One student had never seen the inside of the pumpkin.  Unfortunately, Spring is not a good time to find and cut open pumpkins.

I went to the grocery store and found plain, unseasoned pumpkin in a can.  I also found pumpkin seeds for the students to taste.  The students were surprised that pumpkin that hasn't been made into a pie isn't sweet! I had seven thumbs up for the plain pumpkin and three thumbs down.

Sincere was disappointed the the pumpkin seeds had already been hulled.  They thought that the pumpkin seeds tasted a little like corn.  One person had a thumbs down for the pumpkin seeds, but everyone else gave them a thumbs up!

We also watched a movie clip about growing very large pumpkins.  Students were surprised that the farmer took so much time and effort to grow his pumpkins.  The largest pumpkin the farmer had grown was 428 pounds!  The students were surprised that a pumpkin wouldn't grow unless the flower was pollinated.  In the video clip, the farmer did the pollination by hand.  This lead to a discussion about bees.  Many students would like to learn about bees now.  Since we are so close to summer I told them that would be a good thing to research at the library over the summer.

On three separate days students analyzed and synthesized the information and filled out an online graphic organizer identifying features about pumpkins and corn.   We then evaluated the information we discovered from the text, video clips and background knowledge to compare and contrast corn and pumpkins with a Venn Diagram.  Students used the information from the Venn Diagram to write a summary comparing and contrasting corn and pumpkins.  Students had definitely made Text-to-Self and Text-to-World connections!  Students were able to tell me that pumpkins grew on a vine, but corn grew on a stalk.  Pumpkins were planted and harvested by hand, but corn is planted with a planter and harvested with a combine.

The most exciting stride for the students is the application of vocabulary words, used in context, to summarize information!  Students are starting to question information and are getting excited to research new topics that are interesting!  That is the best example of Text -to-Self and Text-to-World connection!

Making Connections with the Book

corn samples

For the past two weeks my 2nd grade students in small group reading have been activating background knowledge, using text features, and making connections to the text.  We used the book The Story of Corn, by Lilly Ernesto.  Before the students opened the book they had to guess what kind of corn was in each container only using background knowledge.

The students were told that after they read the book they would once again get an opportunity to identify the corn.  (Sample A:  popcorn, Sample B:  dried sweet corn, Sample C:  Dent corn)  Four types of corn were identified in the book, but I could only find three for our live sample.  I couldn't find a sample of flour corn.

Students were then given a blank chart.  They were told to read the book, The Story of Corn, and stop reading when they found the page that described the different types of corn.  Together we decided what categories we should use when thinking of descriptive words for the different corn types.  Our group decided that we should look for descriptive words for the corn's texture, shape, size, and color.

Students discovered that the book didn't tell the students with words how the corn samples were different, instead the students had to use the illustrations in the book to come up with descriptions for the corn.

Students sampled different foods made with corn.  Mrs. Harder baked corn muffins and popped popcorn with a hot air popper! 

 Poe made the observation that popcorn turns from yellow to white after it is popped.  He also observed that the popcorn coming out of the popper looked like a volcano!

We also watched a video clip that showed how corn can be made into plastic.  The plastic can then be made into cups, bags, table clothes, and even clothing!  Following the video Eleazar made a text to self and a text to world connection.  He asked,  "Is dent corn the type of corn used to make plastic?"

We learned from the book that dent corn is typically used for animal feed and  flour corn is made into food for humans.  Popcorn and sweet corn are also used as food for humans.  Yes, dent corn is used to make plastic.

Students made text-to-self and text-to-world connections and wrote about the many uses of corn and described their favorite corn products. 

So now we want to know, what is your favorite thing that is made from corn?

Fluency Fun in First Grade

First grade students in Ms Wick's class have been practicing reading fluency with Mrs. Harder as a part of small group reading.  We have performed poems, songs and reader's theatre scripts.  One group decided that the latest poem needed a tune.  Together, we created a tune to fit with our poem.  The students then performed the song for different classes and school staff throughout the building.  Today we recorded the song to share it with parents.

April Family Fun Night

Family Fun night was a HUGE success!  There were over 375 people in attendance.  Parents and students participated in obstacle courses and found ways to measure distances with objects that can be found around the house.  Families also tested out fun math and reading websites hosted by Iowa Public Television and the Iowa Area Education Agency.  Please check out the Title I website for pictures!

Title I website

Math Websites

Fourth Grade students have been meeting at 8:00 A.M. four days a week to sharpen math skills.  I have compiled websites that students can use at home to extend learning.  The math games are fun and educational!
8:00 A.M. Math Websites