Text Features and Note Taking Gr 4 and Up

Our focus week 2 has been on text features and note taking. September 17-21st

How can text features help us?

• They help us zoom in on the information we are looking for (Titles, subtitles)
• They help us efficiently find what we need (Contents, Index)
• They help explain the story (Pictures)
• They help us better understand the text (Glossary)
• They give us extra information (text box)
• They help us navigate a non-fiction text with ease (all)

Note taking - Why do we need to learn that?????

So we can write in our own words, avoid plagiarism and make your work more interesting by bringing out your writing and personality within your work. 

Students were asked to choose a non-fiction book on a topic they were interested in but didn't know a whole lot about.  They then had 3 min. to use text features and hone in on one main idea, story, fact that was new to them.  They then had to close the book and share this information with their A-B partner.  Students found the facts that were most interesting were those told in the students' own words. Gr.5 and 6's also took key point notes to help them bring out the facts. 

Gr. 4-7 students can you name some text features and how they help us enjoy a non-fiction book? 

First week of library classes

Wrapping up the first full week of classes, getting to meet each and every student and discussing great books read over the summer have all been highlights of my week.  It's been fun seeing the grade 7's in their new classes, looking so much older than when we broke for vacation in June. These fine students are already taking on leadership roles on the playground and throughout the school. 

Summer Reading Rocks @ Randerson sheets are due in the library by Thursday September 20th. 

Keep your Get Caught Reading photos coming in.  Our wall is looking fantastic with all your creative poses and gorgeous locations for reading. Let's fill the entire bulletin board. 

Mr Sutton Got Caught Reading on his deck

Guest bloggers - Students in Grade 4-7 will be guest blogging throughout the year as part of our library research, technology and information studies.  We look forward to your posts. 

Any student is welcome to guest blog, just come and see me and I can get you set up.

Randerson kids and staff are really getting in the swing of .....

Get Caught Reading.....

I've been so impressed with how many pictures are coming in and how creative everyone is with their pictures.  Here are a few sent to me today.  Be sure to come in and check out the pictures in the foyer.  Look for rock climbing reading, handstand reading and reading at beautiful beaches and other great summer destinations.  Remember you can bring your photos in through September.  Students that have Reading Logs from the summer please return them to me by the end of next week. Wow am I impressed with all the summer reading, many students read for 30 min or more a day! What great books you have all been reading.  Please share your reviews with us as guest bloggers.  My favourite read this summer "Al Capone Does my Shirts" by Gennifer Choldenko.

 Nothing says summer like reading an Archie

Have you been Caught Reading this summer?

Look who we caught reading? 

Constable Wilson got caught reading a great book :)
Skeleton Creek by Patrick Carman

 

 





Nothing says Canadian Summer like time at the rink :)

Peaceful reading

Our District Literacy Coordinator Shelley Beleznay was caught reading on a sunny afternoon.



 

Fort reading :)  What a cool place to read!

 

 

                                   
   
   Mr. Mac is the Big Bad Wolf while reading to his Grandkids.  Love it!!!



 

 

 

 

 

 

              

 

Student Book Review ~ Cat Magic Series

Cat Magic by Holly Webb

Cat magic is a great book for beginners to read especially for grade threes and some grade fours!  Cat Magic is the first book of the series, Dog magic is the second book of the series, Hamster Magic is the third book of the series, and Rabbit magic is the fourth book of the series!
The series is all about a girl named Lotie who lives with her mum until her mum gets a new job in London which means Lotie has to stay and live with her uncle who owns a magical pet shop!  The pet shop has talking animals!  Lotie is so excited! 
I recommend this series to many people!  Hope that you like them too!
By Sarah
Grade 4