Drawing and Writing Wonderings

While we've practiced wondering before, we took it to the next level and practiced asking questions before reading, during reading and after reading. Of course, we did have discussions about what we already knew about the topic because we are now expert previewers.

This week we read a book about Whales and brainstormed many questions about the whales. We were amazed to learn so many facts about whales. The class especially liked the fact that Humpback Whales sing songs and enjoyed the Humpback Whale music I played during class.

In our small groups, we practiced wondering while reading Gorillas by Seymour Simon. We learned a lot about gorillas and the kids asked really insightful questions while reading such as:

• How do gorillas walk on their knuckles without hurting their hands?
• What are their enemies?
• How do they communicate?
• Why is the Mountain Gorilla endangered?

Also in small groups, students read non-fiction books and made their own animal fact books, made many words from the mystery word, "Killer Whale" and made bookmarks for their upcoming literature circles.