This week language groups at Lakeview have been reading articles and preparing an extended response. Using a graphic organizer, they have written key idea statements and located evidence in the text to support their opinions. They are practicing interpreting the text to explain the significance of the author's comments. Interpreting involves not only explaining the meaning of information in the passage, but making inferences about why it is important. The students are being urged to elaborate on their ideas and explain cause-effect relationships to draw their own conclusions.
Speech groups at Prairieview are making good progress in articulation skills. Students have reviewed the "speech helpers," (parts of the body used to talk) and been taught how to produce target sounds. They are performing oral motor exercises and word drill activities to improve muscle memory for their target phonemes. Many of the children are beginning to use their target sounds in sentences. They are also urged to
monitor their own speech production and correct errors independently. Kudos to the children and their parents who have been diligent about completing home activities each week. The practice outside of school is definitely paying off.
Several Prairieview students have individual goals to improve grammar, listening, and vocabulary. Fourth grade language students have learned about verbs and adverbs. They are writing descriptive complex sentences to increase vocabulary and written language skills. Other students are focusing on question formation and writing complete sentences. Some third graders have finished a unit on the story of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter and made their own book about the classic tale. Other third graders have used online activities to practice listening and following directions.
