Wednesday, January 25, 2017

As we continue to learn about how our changing seasons affect us, we read the story, Circle by Jeannie Baker.

From the author:

CIRCLE

Tiny godwit birds follow ancient, invisible pathways in an infinity of sky. Flying on and on, for nine nights and nine days, flying without rest. From Arctic icebergs in the north, to tropical golden beaches in the south, across thousands of kilometres of Pacific Ocean. ‘Circle’ captures the sheer wonder of this migratory journey, reminding us of the global interdependence of nature.
The Godwit’s remarkable flight is followed as it comes full circle

… back to the place where mud and sand become sea

While listening to the story, students were asked to think of two words that help describe the main idea of the story. This technique helps with comprehension. When we finished reading the story, students shared what those two words were and why they chose them.

Here are some words students chose:

- predator/prey because they saw the hungry fox take one of the eggs

- circle - because the birds flew south and then back north, creating a circle

- migrating - because the birds flew to a warmer place so they could also find food and find a new home

- north/south - because the north is cold and the south is warmer

Students then wrote about the main idea: Migration. They were asked to answer the following questions:

1. Who migrates?

2. What is migration?

3. When do animals migrate?

4. Why do animals migrate?

Here are their thoughtful responses!