Lima Beans!

The kids loved learning about life cycles.  One very simple activity we did involved watching lima bean seeds germinate in the window. All that was required were lima beans from the grocery store, plastic bags, and wet paper towels. After soaking the paper towel and placing it in a plastic bag, we used staples to create a ledge for the beans to rest on.  Within a matter of two weeks, several of our lima beans were growing shoots and roots. 

Guided Reading

Recognizing our lack of materials and structure for Language Arts, my school recently purchased an amazing guided reading program through Scholastic that I am very excited to implement. The Scholastic Guided Reading (See here!) program uses the Fountas & Pinnell leveling system and includes real literature at all levels. I was pleased that we purchased the Nonfiction Focus because it covers many interesting topics while still including an abundance of classic and contemporary fiction.

The beginning of a long Sunday afternoon opening 26+ boxes of leveled books...by myself!

Each level comes with about ten titles and each title has six copies to use for groups. The teaching guide for each book offers great ideas for comprehension activities and phonics focuses.

LOTS of books!

Our school isn't able to house these books in a central location, but our third grade teacher graciously offered shelf space!