We started the week with docent-led tours of the California section of the Botanical Garden at UC up in Tilden. We experienced first hand how the local native people used plants and trees in many ways from basketry to medicines to toys. Upon our return we reflected on the experience with words and labeled pictures. The results are hanging in the classroom. The Temescalians certainly are becoming experts on the Ohlone and other native people of our area! Thank you parents who drove and chaperoned.

And speaking of experts, Temescal scientists are digging deep into their local plant and animal research. Using a post-it strategy we are pouring through books and articles locating  facts in six areas. For animals the categories are: appearance and behavior, habitat, offspring, care of young, what they eat, and how they get their food. For plants: appearance, habitat, seeds, seed dispersal, and process of photosynthesis. Bonus facts that don’t fit into these areas can be labeled as “Did you know?” Ask you expert what they have learned about their plant/animal so far . . .

Mini-lessons in reading workshop were tied into our research. For example, we learned how to take notes effectively, how to differentiate between fact and opinion, and we read a book together called The Pirates of Plagarism. Our writing workshop times were spent taking notes, as well as rocket writing and writing apology letters. For cursive we have completed all of the lowercase letters. Onward to uppercase!

On Monday a letter went home outlining the 1,000s project, which is due February 23, along with a planning sheet to help students get started on this project. Temescalians have been brainstorming how to represent their portion of 1,000 of their ecosystem in a mathematical and artistic way. Talk with your child if you haven’t yet about their vision, materials needed, and have them draw out their idea and label it with important details. Also help your child plan out how to spread out the project into manageable steps to be successful. February break is coming up, so plan accordingly.

In math we also wrapped up our unit on money: adding and subtracting with decimals and dollar signs, converting cents to dollar notation, and making change. Keep practicing this skill when the opportunity arises in your day-to-day. We are gearing up for the 100th day of school, which is on Friday, and played a math game and practiced orienteering skills on a giant hundreds board.

For mindfulness we have been noticing our thoughts while we work on paying attention to the moment. We reflected on which are “past thoughts” and which are “future thoughts.” We also noticed which thoughts are “loud” while others murmur in the back of our minds, and the effect of all these different types of thoughts and the resulting feelings in our bodies. This is big work!

On Friday we started making aprons with the help of our amazing grown-up volunteers. Thank you Dianna, Lauren, Paul, and Cheryl for lending a hand and sewing machines, and special thanks to Jennifer and Logan for leading us in this project and for the gorgeous fabric donations. The apron work will continue during art studio time and ties in with our upcoming candy making with Temescal parent and confectioner, Liz!

Friendship Week is February 9-13 and each Temescalian will have a randomly chosen Secret Pal to shower kindness on. Gestures should be heartfelt gestures and handmade tokens (no buying or re-gifting please). Friday we will have the big Secret Pal reveal, along with cookie decorating and the traditional Valentine exchange.

A busy, heartwarming week is ahead, followed by February Break. Thank you for all of your support of the learning and fun in Temescal. We <3 our families!