A game of bingo had students interviewing each other and breaking the ice.

Another game called “Inside Outside” gave students the opportunity to have deeper conversations.

Evolution! Students evolved from eggs all the way to demigods singing “Who Let the Dogs Out!?”

The first writer’s workshop was a success! Students were focused and productive writing about exciting, short episodes from their lives. We’ll draft tomorrow and publish Friday, ready to share our pieces next week. We work on building a community of writers in 4/5, so students are excited to write for each other.

Magic at recess.

Reconnecting with old pals.

Science lesson #1: simple circuits. During our day-end reflection, the majority of students reported that this was their most memorable part of the day.

How does this work?

Taboo during choices.

Welcome to the Cerrito blog, which I publish (almost) every afternoon. You’ll see photos from the day, read about curriculum, and check the homework assignments. There are often downloads available in case your child is sick or forgot a worksheet. I’ll also keep you abreast of field trips and special events here, so read it daily!

The first day was a success. We teachers have so many procedures to convey and orientations to lead that we are fairly talked out by day’s end, but it’s all in the spirit of frontloading students with the information they need to be safe and thrive in the days, weeks, and months to come. We plan lots of games and activities into these first days to help students bond with their classmates and smooth the transition. We also get right down to work, as we did in writer’s workshop and science today, as students are excited for the real stuff of school. You may even be surprised with their enthusiasm for homework in these first weeks.

Speaking of which, the only homework tonight is for the students to bring in a small keepsake, an artifact of sorts, to share with the community tomorrow–smaller than a breadbox, of little monetary but high sentimental value, and ideally with a story behind it.