The Cerrito Creek class of 2019-2020 has had such a strong first week! With a combination of 4th graders coming up from Temescal, returning 5th graders, three new 5th graders, one returning teacher and one new teacher, the Cerrito room was ripe for reinvention and new connections. Keep reading to find out what we worked on these last few days in each subject…

James and Charlie showing up on the first day of school.
Sam and Tess greet one another.
Sophie and her Blackberry buddy playing Beat Master on Buddy Day.

Cultural Studies

For these first few days of school, we focused the majority of our work on identity. Understanding ourselves as learners and individuals helps us develop empathy and make connections. Starting with the self is fundamental to being a community member, and being a community member gives us a lens to look through while we study different cultures and people of the present and past. This week, Cerrito created Identity Icebergs, on which they showed what could be easily seen about them (above the water’s surface), and what someone would only be able to find out through getting to know them (below the surface).

Jaeda working on her Identity Iceberg.
Rory and Callan share their icebergs with each other.

Students also reflected on their roles as class and school community members by brainstorming and performing skits to demonstrate what the 4 school agreements looks like:

  • Be inclusive
  • Be respectful of others, ourselves, and our surroundings
  • Be safe and responsible
  • Try our best
Students brainstorm ideas for each school agreement.
Jaeda, Kian and Yoshi discuss their skit.
Green table presenting their Agreement skit.

Reader’s Workshop

Cerrito Creek kicked off Reader’s Workshop this year by creating our own “Goodreads” art piece. Goodreads is an app in which one can organize books they have read, books they are currently reading, and books they would like to read, and rate them as well. Inspired by the app, students were asked to draw out their own personal “bookshelf” in which they had to show three books they have read and enjoyed, and 5 books that they would like to read in the future. Students also learned how the books are organized in our classroom library and the system for checking books out.

Grace and Marian work on their Goodreads posters.

Writer’s Workshop

In Writer’s Workshop, Cerrito students were asked to bring in an artifact from home that represents their summer. Students were introduced to their new Writer’s Workshop notebooks and were asked to do a “Quick Write” about their special objects in the form of a “small moment” story. With little other parameters, students wrote as much as they could about their object, attempting to zero in on one moment instead of focusing on telling a long-term story.

Callan, Hailey and Tess work on their Quick Write.
Noa, Vivian and Carson write about their summer objects.

5th grade Math

Having the 5th graders back together in one classroom naturally leads to a lot of anticipation and excitement. For the first two days of math, the 5th graders worked on math-specific classroom expectations and understanding what a “mathematician” is (anyone who does math!). Each student also wrote a letter to Rachel and Sarah answering 4 questions:

  • What comes to mind when you think about math?
  • What are some of your hopes for this year?
  • What is one math strategy you have learned that you like to use?
  • Who is someone in your life that you can turn to when you need help?

Students also got an opportunity to explore math manipulatives in an open format and play a fun place-value game—Pico Ferme Bagel.

Charlie, Sophie and Yoshi explore omnifix cubes.
Abby and Lily lead a math game.

4th grade Math

In 4th grade math, we learned what a growth mindset is and brainstormed how to support each other in getting what we need to be our best math learners. We also made some art – that’s right,  art! With rulers, we practice our ruler skills and figured out how to turn straight lines into a curved line. Minds were blown!

Jasper is excited about ruler art!
Anna and Callan work on their art.

Science

For our one day of Science this week, the students were given an opportunity to observe, hypothesize, revise their hypotheses, and make themselves comfortable with non-closure. After discussing what traits make someone a “scientist,” students worked in pairs with a “mystery tube,” and through hands-on experimentation, tried to figure out how to tube is configured. The mystery was never revealed however, so these scientists can continue to wonder.

Hailey and Tess explore the mystery tube.
Noa and Vivian work together.
Marian and Grace contemplate the mystery tube.

Homework announcements!

  • Homework will always be posted to the Homework tab of the Cerrito Creek blog. Students will write their homework in their planners each day, but you can always double check on the blog.
  • This year, Assistant Teachers Jackie, Sarah, and Sam will be hosting a 3-5 Study Hall for 3rd-5th graders in who have homework to finish. Study Hall will be hosted from 3:30-4:10 pm in the Cerrito Creek classroom on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. Students joining for Study Hall will check in to Extended Day, get a snack from an Extended Day teacher if desired, and come to Cerrito Creek where one of the three Assistant Teachers will be there each day to facilitate students work and support a quiet and calm study environment. Students with homework will be highly encouraged to join us in Study Hall.