Farm Unit

We are getting ready to go to the farm!  Hidden Villa Farm, that is!  Last week, we began our Farm Unit and practiced the reading comprehension strategy of visualization, or "making movies/pictures in our minds."   First, we visualized as we read Cook-a-Doodle-Doo and Little Red Hen Makes a Pizza.  We continued to practice visualizing with non-fiction books.  Students were asked to visualize an animal before they read and then again after they read.  They found that reading and paying close attention to details in books allows you to make a better picture in your mind.

Visualization of a goat before a student read.

Visualization of a goat after a student read.

This week, we are reading more non-fiction books about farm animals.  Before and as we read, we create "I wonder..." statements.  Good readers ask questions as they read, so they become more curious and focus more on the text.  We are also learning about the Table of Contents and bolded words.  We are gathering the answers to our wonderings in graphic organizers.

We will continue to work on the Farm Unit for several more weeks.  Check back later to see more work!