Little Minds at Work

Dinosaurs Close Read

Hey friends! AHH it is so good to be typing again!  The past couple of weeks have been a little out of the ordinary!  I don’t always talk a lot about my personal battles, because sometimes I think we have enough stress as teachers and I don’t need to play any fiddles for you! 😛  As many of you know my husband and I have long tried to make our little family complete.  We have struggled, cried, prayed struggled,  cried, and prayed some more.  I just completed my second fresh IVF cycle.  It was full of surprises, like they can be “normal.”  Needless to say I got something called OHSS and because I was extremely dehydrated, passed out a few times, was told I might have blood clots, then told I didn’t, stayed in the hospital a few days, missed a lot of work…and all that in a week’s time!  I think I am finally on the mend and we will find out in less then a week if the IVF was a success.  I used to be selfish and ask why me…but I have realized that only God knows of the special plan that is my life.  Only He can make dreams come true…all I can do is put my faith in him and TRUST!
I’ve tried to catch up on emails, requests, projects, etc so no excuses…just life! 🙂
Our dinosaur close read was not last week, but the week before!  I was there most of that week, but it was a busy one so most of the pictures are from my phone so they might not be the best quality!  I have discussed my close reads so much that I don’t want to bore you, but I do like to show you how we are learning to incorporate the close read throughout our days.  This has made the close read even more meaningful!  If you are new to close reads click the words “close reads” in the right side of the screen and you can read more in detail how I run my close reads!

This close read was using another National Geographic ebook!  You can click the photo above to view the book!  I really LOVE these interactive books!  Just a few new spins on our close reads…

Monday: Day one {cold read}  Before I start with the book I have been spending some time building background knowledge about the subject.  I am not trying to front load the kids…I am actually trying to get them to unload their ideas!  We have struggled a little with EVIDENCE at times the kids want to tell what they think, heard before, etc.  By allowing them to share what they already know about dinosaurs, then reading the book I am able to help them realize what evidence means and what is facts/opinions they’ve heard before.  After the cold read on Monday I also have the students do a turn and talk after the book to state to their partner one new piece of evidence the book taught them about dinosaurs.

I am also now posting the week’s essential question through out the week on the board!


Tuesday: Vocabulary- As we read through the whole book the students raise their hands to ask about unknown words.  We also chart a few words that I have picked out and place realistic pictures for each.  Along with the pictures we make up actions for each of the words!  
I have started a simple pencil and paper review for vocabulary!  I am test running it and making sure it is a beneficial piece of data…once I tweak it for success I will add them in the close read packets!

Wednesday: Text Dependent Questions!  I love this day, as the students get to impress me with their evidence from the text!  We are also working hard on the week’s essential question this day!

Thursday: Collaborative Learning- on this day students discussed with their groups if they could have a pet dinosaurs using evidence from the book!

  

The following activities are found in my Dinosaur Mini Unit- which is a great bargain! 🙂

 

Also, found in my dino mini unit is a recipe to make fossils!  I premade the fossils at home and then had the students make their own imprints!  We also wrote about our fossils!

 

 


Click below if you are interested in the mini unit!  It is $4, but on sale through the end of day Monday!
 

 If you haven’t checked out my close read packets you can see them below!  They are getting great reviews!  You can also click on one of the packets below and view my freebie nonfiction and fiction lesson to see how you like them!

These are my beautiful nieces who help me remember that the world keeps going even when we feel as though we can’t! 🙂  Have a great start to your week!


With Love,

Comments

  2. I continue to pray for you and your family…wishing you the very best outcome!! 🙂 Your situation breaks my heart and I know the heartache you are going through!! Praying for you Tara.
    Becky 🙂

    Reply

  3. I hope you feel better and am hoping for the best for you and your family! My sister is going through the same process and know how exhausting, frustrating, and how many emotions go into it. Wishing you and your family the best! 🙂

    Jaime

    A Spoonful of Learning

    Reply

  4. We struggled w/ infertility for 5 years. We adopted our oldest son in May 2007 and our youngest in March 2010. I cannot tell you what a blessing my boys are after so many failed pregnancy attempts. Praying God's mighty hand is at work in your life as He grows your family in His time and His way. Waiting in His time & resting in peace is no easy task! Blessings to you and your hubby.

    Reply

  7. I hope you are feeling better Tara! So sorry about all the complications- I'm thinking of you girl! I've been using your nonfiction pack and really it IS amazing! I've picked a few other texts that we've close read in between the nonfiction weeks and my kids are LOVING it! SO happy!

    Reply

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