Non-Fiction Poster Fun!

Class2H has been immersed in our expository non-fiction unit of study for over a month now!  Not only have we been exploring the differences between expository and narrative non-fiction texts, but we have also been investigating text features.  As we continue to read more non-fiction texts, we have been using a checklist to help notice all of the various types of text features, the purposes of these features, and how these features help us understand the text deeper. If you're not sure what a text feature is, then just browse below to see photos of us in action!

In order to truly solidify and demonstrate our understanding of these features, Class2H worked in teams to create our own non-fiction posters about text features.  We even included text features on our posters by using labels to help explain to our audience!  Check out how we meticulously brought these posters to publication.

First, we skimmed through a few Scholastic News magazines to identify various text features and cut them out.  

 Next, we recorded each feature we found and wrote the purpose of the feature on an organizer.  We learned it's not only important to identify text features, but we also must understand how the feature helps us learn more.

After, we laid out all of our magazine clippings to find a visually appealing format for our audience.  We then included a title for our poster and glued down each feature.

Then, it was time to add labels to each feature.  Each label explained what the feature was and how it was helpful to a reader.  Look how well we worked with our group members!

The last step was to color our posters to make them POP for our audience!  Colored text...another feature of non-fiction ;)

Finally, our posters were published!  See our smiling faces after a week of hard work?!  You can check out the finished products in the hallway outside of Room 27!

Stay tuned for more non-fiction work as the year progresses!

Pumpkin Math 2015!!

Halloween is just around the corner which means costumes, candy, and PUMPKIN MATH here in Room 27!!  This annual favorite is not only a STEM activity, but is also one of the most fun activities of the year :)!  Pumpkin Math is a messy business as we were up to our armpits, literally, in pumpkin guts!  Right Liv and Ava?!  However, we still enjoyed every second of the experience!  

Here were a couple of the comments heard in passing:

"We all thought the biggest pumpkin would have the most seeds but we were wrong...and it was so so so fun learning math this way!"

"This is the BEST activity EVER!"  ---- "I take that back.  This is the MESSIEST activity EVER!"

"I should write about this in my journal!"

We love that this activity encouraged cooperation and encouraged conversations about our learning! 

 At this point, you may be wondering, "What IS Pumpkin Math?"  Well, we get to work in groups to compare our pumpkins' sizes, weights, circumferences, and number of seeds!  While doing so, we are even able to touch upon enrichment concepts such as median, mode, and circumference.  Additionally, we get the opportunity to problem-solve and collaborate in order to explain our thinking in words.  

Feeling jealous that you didn't get to partake in the experience personally?  Not to worry!  We brought the learning directly to you!  Take a peek below to get a glimpse into our "gutsy" morning.  Enjoy!  Anyone else in the mood for some pumpkin pie now???!!!

Ordering pumpkins by size!  LARGEST to smallest!

Goofy is the smallest...but good things come in small packages :)

The Donald group predicts the number of lines on their pumpkin.

Ranbir diligently records his prediction!

How many lines did the Goofy pumpkin have?

This group will NOT lose track of their line count.  Awesome strategy!

Teamwork is key in Pumpkin Math!!

Measuring the circumference is tricky!

Xi Wen with the assist!!

How many kids does it take to measure the circumference??

Measuring the circumference by first using non-standard units of measurement...unifix cubes!

What's the circumference of your pumpkin in unifix cubes?

Action shot!

Discussing the best way to measure!

Stretch out that string!

How many inches are on a ruler?

Mickey's circumference looks around 24 inches...wow!

What?!  Median and mode in second grade?! #enrichment

Time to cut our pumpkins open!

Come on Skylar...use some elbow grease!

Hudson has almost decapitated his pumpkin!

Taking turns using the pumpkin knife!  Great patience boys!

Goofy is the first pumpkin open but it's also the smallest!

Get in there guys!

Pumpkin guts are fun!

The Donald table loved sorting the seeds from the slime :)

Sophia and Ava weren't afraid to get down and dirty!

Look at all these seeds!

And the counting begins...

Come on boys!  Touch it!!!  Count those seeds :)

Ava is loving her pumpkin "paraffin" treatment!

Grouping seeds by tens to count quicker!

Ahhh!  Counting all of these seeds will take forever!

A little pumpkin slime never hurt anyone!  Count 'em up!

Love the strategy...group those seeds!

We are really multiplying even though we don't know it yet!  #repeated addition

Almost done...phew!

We even have our activity books to collect all of our data!

Even though the Back Table had the biggest pumpkin, it did not contain the most seeds.  We discovered there's no relationship between pumpkin size and # of seeds!!

**Disclaimer: Due to technical difficulties, we were unable to compare our pumpkins' weight.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!