Mr. Giso's Ways to Learn at Home #10

"The Oldest Student ~ How Mary Walker Learned to Read" 

Read Aloud, "I Am" Biography Activity, and 

What Would You Love to Learn Journal

Hello, readers!

I'm so excited about this tenth "Ways to Learn at Home" because it's the TRUE story of a hero born enslaved, named Mary Walker.  At 15 she, along with her family were freed.  At 20, she married and had her first of three children.  At 68, she continued to work in order to raise money for her church.  At 114, she was the only one left living out of her whole, entire family.  Lastly, are you ready for this one?  At 116, she LEARNED TO READ!  

Please enjoy Mary's story written by Rita Lorraine Hubbard and illustrated by Oge Mora by clicking HERE.  Get ready to learn the lesson that you are NEVER too old to learn.

Complete This "I Am" Biography Activity

As you know, this book is a biography--a true story of someone's life.  Find a biography or use the biography I just read to you.  As you read your biography, or re-watch the video, fill out the spots in this template.  You can print it out by clicking HERE or just copy over the boxes and titles on a piece of paper you have at home.  Have fun learning about the life of someone.  When we study biographies, remember to ask yourself, "What lesson can I learn from studying this person's life."  

Write in a Daily Journal after Reading

Mr. Giso's Journal Idea #10

After reading and listening to the book by Rita Lorraine Hubbard, journal about what you would like to learn how to do.  Mary Walker said "You're never too old to learn," so this may be something that will take you a very, very, long time to learn. That's OK.  After all, Mary was 116 when she learned to read her Bible.  Mr. Giso always says,  reading does not come easy for everyone at the same time.  This is something that's true with so many tricky things.

Print out my "Journal Pages" by clicking HERE if you'd like to have some paper.  Thank you, Ms. Cipoletti!

Mr. Giso's Ways to Learn at Home #8

"Math Curse" 

Read Aloud, Draw It, Place It & Read It! Game, and Numbers All Around Us Journal

Hello, hello mathematicians!

This "Ways to Learn at Home" is about mathematics.  To get us thinking about how mathematics is all around us ALL the time, I have picked an animated version of the fun book Math Curse written by Jon Scieszka (below) and illustrated by Lane Smith.  This adventure begins with Ms. Fibonacci announcing in class that "You can think of almost anything as a math problem."  Click HERE

to listen and watch the story.  As you listen, be thinking about your home and the world around you.  Where do you see mathematics?  Think numbers, shapes, patterns, measurements and fractions, OH MY!

                                                

                                        

Play Draw It, Place It & Read It! 

With Your Family

After listening to Math Curse, I bet you are ready to play around with some numbers.  I have a really fun game.  To get ready to play this game you need about 3 sets of cards with the digits 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 written on them (only one digit on a card).  Mix the cards up and place them in a bag, bowl or even a pillow case.  Before you cut the cards, they could look something line this.

Once you have the cards, you can either make a chart for each player to record your numbers like the chart below, or print out a chart for each player by clicking HERE.

To play the game:

1.  Choose one person to be the caller.  For each round, the caller draws 3 numbers for a digit in the    

         hundreds, or four cards for a digit in the thousands etc.  Decide this ahead of time.  Place an "x" 

         in the spots you will NOT be using.

2.  After each draw, players record the digit that was drawn in any column on the first row of the place value chart below.  Once a digit is recorded, it can’t be changed. Use a marker.  Strategize!

3.  After all the places are filled, the person who makes and reads the highest number earns a point.  Move to the next row on the place value chart for the next round.

4.  Keep playing until the paper is filled.  The person with the most number of points wins.  As a challenge, play again.  This time award points for making the smallest number.

In the comments section of this post, let me know who is the winner.  Of course, learning a strategy for making the largest or smallest number is the point.  Having fun is a lot more important than winning.

Write in a Daily Journal after Reading

Mr. Giso's Journal Idea #8

After reading and listening to "Math Curse," search around your home pretending that you have "caught the curse!"  Where do you see mathematics?  Describe what you see and how you know it's connected to mathematics.  What do you realize has a little bit of math in it, after listening to the book?  I can't wait to hear your thoughts.  You can also write me to explain the strategy you discovered in the game.  Be specific and use an example.

Print out my "Journal Pages" by clicking HERE if you'd like to have some paper.  There's a spot for an illustration, too.

Mr. Giso's Ways to Learn at Home #4

"Maybe: A Story About the Endless Potential in All of Us" 

Read Aloud and Journal

Happy Wednesday.  Today, we have a special read aloud and journal prompt put together by Ms. Cipoletti.  She's our guest student teacher from Salem State University.  Ms.  Cipoletti picked a book that was new to me.  I loved hearing it.  The illustrations are very different, too.  She does such a good job making sure that we have time to enjoy the illustrations.  Miss Cipoletti is also reading the "Little LuLu" series by Judith Viorst. I love these book so much.  There are now 4 published.  (Many of you read these with me).  They are a great read aloud for children and adults of any age.  Children in second grade and up can even work on reading them independently.

This book really is important because of its message.  Maybe is written by Kobi Yamada and illustrated by Gabriella Barouch.  It explains how all of us (big adults and small children) have lots of possibilities out there.  We can be anything and do anything.  I learned that no matter how young or how old you are, we never know what new things can come our way.  I have been thinking what possibilities are out there for me?

Click HERE to watch and to listen to Ms. Cipoletti read aloud this book. In the beginning, she will tell you an idea for a writing about reading--perfect for a journal.  I will explain what you can write, below too.

Write in a Daily Journal after Reading

Mr. Giso's Journal Idea #4 (Brought to you by Ms. Cipoletti)

After reading and listening to Maybe, write down what are your dreams.  You are important to us!  What makes you important?  Anyone can email me your journal, and I will make sure to send it to Ms. Cipoletti so she can hear your answers.  We love and miss you.

Print out my "Journal Pages" by clicking HERE if you'd like to have some paper.  There's a spot for an illustration, too.  Have a great day.