This week was the last week of instruction before we begin our 5 week-long review for THE TEST. We have discussed sequence a number of times while studying other skills, but I decided to take the week and focus in on just that skill.
We started the week with an activity from the Reading A-Z comprehension skill packets. We read an article about the Titanic together, circled the clue words, and then put the events in order. Then students worked with their talking partners to read an article about Albert Einstein and do the same thing. I really liked the passages for this activity because the events were out of chronological order, so that led to a discussion about how authors sometimes use an important event to hook their readers.
Partners hard at work on their A-Z passages.
Next, we started working on a writing piece using sequencing words. Last weekend I found this Spring Break writing activity from The Techie Teacher and thought it would be perfect since this was our first week back from Spring Break. The graphic organizer that went along with this freebie was really helpful and the cars turned out great! We've been getting lots of compliments on them from other teachers in the building.
Cuteness: My favorite writing said something to effect of, "Then, my mom said she wasn't leaving the house again." LOL I can so remember my mom saying that and I have definitely thought that myself a time or two!
In our small groups we worked on some test taking strategies using a workbook called Ladders to Success 2. It was good practice for them because my kiddos seem to rush through sequencing questions and often times get them wrong because they "think" they remember the answer and don't go back to check.
We finished out the week by reading one of my favorite books, The Great Fuzz Frenzy! If you haven't read "The Fuzz" you've got to get your hands on a copy - it is too cute!
After reading through the book once I gave everyone a 1/4 piece of paper to take notes on and we skimmed through the book again. I told them we were going to be writing the sequence of events and they needed to take a few notes to help them remember what had happened. Of course, some students wrote enough to cover every inch of that little paper, so this was a good place to have a reminder about determining the importance of details/events. 
I then gave them this flow chart I found online at Freeology. I'd never heard of this site before this week and it has some pretty neat FREE stuff on there. After we filled in the flow chart students used it to help create a summary of the book.
Overall I felt like we had a very successful week with sequencing. What are some of your favorite activities to use when teaching the skill?
Thank you for sharing your lessons/activities for sequencing. I will be reviewing this in my classroom very soon and it is nice to have some new ideas. I am going to have to find a copy of "The Great Fuzz Frenzy". I love adding to my picture book collection.
ReplyDeleteForeman Teaches
I am a book collector too! You'll have to let me know what you think of "The Great Fuzz Frenzy". It would also be a great book to use when talking about bullying.
DeleteI love how you did the first passage with your students and then let them have a go at it with each other. I think I miss that very important step sometimes because I think they should be able to do it with me just "telling" them what to do. :)
ReplyDeleteShannon
I Run Read Teach
We're working through Ladders to Success in my class, too. I have my students highlight the answers that they can find in the passage, and that helps. I dread this time of the year, though, because the kids get so bored and tired of test practice. Trying to think of some ways to spice it up a little. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteDon't Let the Teacher Stay Up Late
Thanks so much for the great idea. I'm planning to use it with my students. Love the free flow chart from freeology.
ReplyDelete