Hello Blackberry Families!

 

We have officially entered October! This is a short week, students only attended Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. We began the week with switching new spots on the rug and new spots on the desks. At the beginning of each month we rotate seating arrangements in the classroom for all students. This way students can get a chance to socialize with new peers, as well as adapt and become accustomed to change.

In literacy, we introduced four new vocabulary words! These new vocab words were: gigantic, gentle, wonder, expensive. Students learned the meaning of each word, practiced spellings these, listened to them being used correctly (and incorrectly) in sentences. We will continue to learn and practice these vocab words.

In math, this week we used a 2-row number rack, also known as a rekenrek. Students practiced counting by 2’s, 5’s, 10’s, practiced 1-3 moves for counting, and were paired up to give each other numbers to record. Student’s took turns prompting a number for one another, using the number rack, while writing down each other’s numbers.

In science, students compared similarities and differences of Tornadoes and Wildfires by creating a Venn Diagram. Students were able to write about each as well as getting more practice in critical thinking.

On Tuesday, I was able to celebrate my birthday with the class! I held the Birthday Circle, sharing baby, kid, and young adult photos. It meant a lot to me to be able to share with the students a little about my family’s history of being from Nicaragua, migrating to the US, living in Pennsylvania and now returning to California! They enjoyed guessing my age and watching me “jump” into my new year.

As you already know, Today the 5th and Friday, the 6th will be no school for kids and we will be having Parent Teacher Conferences. Monday, the 9th, TBS will also be closed for Indigenous People’s Day. Enjoy the long (and very warm) weekend and we will see you all Tuesday, October 10th! Thank you and take care!

 

Gracias y Saludos,

Mark

 

Some questions you can ask your child,

What does the word gigantic, gentle, wonder, expensive mean?

What did you do in art class this week? (Tie-dying)

Did you change your seat at school?

What are the differences between Tornadoes and Wildfires?