It’s been a busy two weeks highlighted by the annual favorites: Beach Day and the Walkathon!
Despite the early morning chill and fog, K-3 managed to truly enjoy their day at Alameda Crown Beach and the sun even came out before we said goodbye to the sand and surf . . . thank you chaperones for joining us on this end-of-year tradition.
This year’s Walkathon was a celebration of our school’s connection with Strawberry Creek Park. As you know, Temescal specifically partnered with The Berkeley Youth Alternative garden and orchard there, lending a hand and learning more about local plants and garden critters. We also enjoyed the time we spent learning from Ohlone Herbal Center. In preparation for the Walkathon we designed slogans and created beautiful watercolored signs. On the big day we started out in the classroom enjoying doughnut holes brought in by Lisa to celebrate National Doughnit Day! Outside we came together in an all-school assembly with each class sharing their work with Strawberry Creek Park and other local parks, and then we sang and had a school photo taken with us all wearing our amazing shirts designed by our very own Julianne. Next we walked to the ECC and were greeted with smiles, cheers, and lemonade. Then we walked to to Ohlone Park and had a field day before heading back to school. The day was meaningful and fun, and a way to connect as one school. Thank you parents for cheering and manning out fueling station along the way!
In math we delved deeper into division! Using our multiplication skills and other strategies to solve division problems and experiencing it in all of it’s different forms. Keep practicing those multiplication facts and discussing fact families. Many students had the aha moment that division is just multiplication in reverse. We also started creating out own songs, chants, and rhymes to help us practice the trickier multiplication facts. Inspired by School House Rock videos and hand games, students are starting to work creatively in partnership and small groups. As a challenge, students were introduced to the traditional and lattice methods of solving double-digit multiplication problems.
In writing we are finishing up the publishing process for our family stories, inspired by our Patricia Polacco author study. We look forward to seeing you all for our final Celebration of Learning in the Temescal classroom Wednesday morning at 8:30. We will also be sharing reflections on third grade and enjoying our last potluck brunch together to say goodbye to our year together. You are also welcome to come for the last reading with grown-ups time Friday morning from 8:30-9.
Middle schoolers struck a pose in their annual Repurposed Fashion Show. Teams brought their style ideas to life and reused old clothes and other recycled materials to create amazing ensembles. Awards were given in a variety of different categories and we were wowed by their creativity and collaboration.
TBS parent and scientist Jonathon Stillman hosted a “Plankton Party” for K-5. To prepare, third grade scientists learned more about plankton via a TED Talk and studied up on important vocabulary that came in handy as they viewed plankton from the bay projected on a large screen. Afterward, third graders designed their own plankton based on scientific guiding questions.
Two birthday celebrations . . .
There is no homework except to bring a brown grocery bag by Wednesday . . . Have a great last week of school!
