A Whale of a Day

The children had a wonderful opportunity to learn about whales, thank you Mrs. McInnis for teaching us so much...here's what we'll always remember.  

Noah learned that the Humpback's lungs are the size of a sleeping bag.
Sarah learned that whales have jaw bones.
Trevor learned that some whales have baleen, which helps them to filter out the water and catch krill.
Katie learned that the whale's baby calf stays with its mom for only a year!
Charlie learned that whales make bubbles to scare fish into a circle where the fish can be eaten easily.
Olivia learned that her dad can fit into a whale's blowhole.

We learned that it's very important not to litter, because all trash finds its way into our oceans!

Joelle learned that whales are the largest mammal.
Max learned that when whales want to communicate to long distances they use a low call.
Anna learned that all whales have different tail markings so you can tell them apart.
Louie learned that whales can be as small as a boy and as long as 100 feet!
Haylie learned that whales can flip their tongues inside out!
Matthew learned that whales' ribs are only connected to their backbone, that they don't have a sternum.

We learned how to identify whales by the images on their tails.

Grace G. learned that whales don't sleep through the night, they only take naps because they need  to come up for air.
Daniel learned that toothed whale sounds are high pitched and baleen whales make low sounds to communicate.
Gracie M. learned that whales get their names by the markings on their tails.
Ella learned that it takes about a year for a baby calf to be born.
Shea learned that a whale's eyes are on the side of its heads so it can see all around the ocean.

We are so excited to sit inside our inflatable whale and learn more information.

Learning the Difference Between Making a Prediction and Forming an Inference

The children are working hard to make inferences in their reading each day.  Using posters from The Mysteries of Harris Burdick, illustrated by Chris Van Allsburg the children used "right there descriptions" to help them determine what might be happening in their black and white sketches.  Initially, we covered the text to help our eyes focus on what was happening in the pictures.  We documented exactly what we saw and did not predict what we thought might be happening in the sketches. Then we exposed the title and captions, and with this added information we were able to make a strong inference, or "read between the lines."  The children are now in the process of writing their own stories.  We look forward to sharing these with you at our Author Share in June.

The House on Maple Street: It was a perfect lift-off!

A Strange Day in July: He threw with all his might, but the third stone came skipping back!

The Harp: So it was true, he thought, it was really true!

Uninvited Guests:  His heart was pounding.  He was sure he had seen the doorknob turn!

Famous "Students" Who Have Made a Difference in My World

The children surpassed my expectations and I couldn't be prouder of each and every one of them. They worked diligently to complete their biography reports and we celebrated with a culminating assembly where the children dressed, spoke, and acted as their famous person.  Their costumes were creative and their speeches and singing were on spot.  I am so very PROUD of our famous people; J.K. Rowling, Christa McAuliffe, Helen Keller, Ben Franklin, JFK, Amelia Earhart, Juliette Gordon Low, Thomas Edison, Jackie Robinson, Mother Teresa, and Orville and Wilbur Wright.  One day I know you will make a difference in the world, as one student said, "always pursue your dreams and reach for the stars."

Someday we will make a difference in the world, and children of the future will learn about the impact we had on their lives!

We are so excited to share all we've learned.

The Wright Brothers persevered until their flying machine soured through the air!

Here's Ben Franklin reading a biography on Thomas Alva Edison! :)