This week, we brushed up on our Nine Lines for the 7s math facts.  The Temescalians have come a long way in terms of becoming more automatic with knowing their multiplication facts.  As the Temescalians move on to higher math in coming years, it is helpful to “just know” multiplication facts.  We have played “Sparkle” to practice math facts, where you skip count by the designated number until you get to the 10th multiple and say “Sparkle!”  This week, we introduced a different game called Buzz Buzz. (Rules for Bizz Buzz)  In “Bizz Buzz”, we choose 2 numbers and look for its multiples as we count around the circle.  As you say multiples, you say “Bizz” or “Buzz” instead.  For example, if the Bizz numbers are multiples of 5, and the Buzz numbers are multiples of 10, the counting would go: 1, 2, 3, 4, Bizz!, 6, 7, 8, 9, Bizz Buzz!, 11, 12, 13, 14, Buzz!, 16, 17, 18, 19, Bizz Buzz!  The Temescalians quickly took to this game and it is yet another way to practice multiplication facts!

We also worked with measurements and went about finding things that was 1 centimeter, 1 inch, 12 inches, and 1 meter/yard.  They found all sorts of things like a clipboard was about 12 inches.  The eraser on a pencil tip was about 1 cm.  An eraser was about 1 inch.  The door was about a meter.  We also made “Handy Tools” that you can use your hand as a measuring tool too!  The distance from the tip of your thumb to the knuckle is about an inch, as is the width of two fingers together.  The width of a pinky is about a cm.

We often write letters, and we brainstorms why we often do.  One of them is to write to protest and make change.  A logical connection To follow up Craig Merrick’s trip to Standing Rock, and the recent executive order, we decided to write a letter to the Army Corps of Engineers.  We were able to share a few of these letters during the assembly on Friday.  A few points shared: The pipeline will eventually burst and pollute the land and environment.   Water is more important than oil.  Standing Rock is sacred land that should not be taken over.

In Information Literacy, we are doing a biography unit on African Americans.  Each Temescalian has a different individual of focus.  After becoming experts on their person of study, we will interview the Temescalians as their historical figure.

We read The Book of Important Things by Margaret Wise Brown and free wrote about things that were important, and why they were important.  The Temescalians came up with unexpected subjects for this writing piece.  Some wrote about toasters and waves, while others wrote about beds and people.  The topics the Temescalians chose were varied and delightful.

A view of our ongoing conferencing and word study work:

The Temescalians spent some time working on their plans for their part in the 1,000s Projects.  Please look for their planning sheet in their backpacks.  They were sent home mid-week.  They should have materials, an idea of what they want to create, and a drawing of how it should all look.  Please talk to your child about this work.  We expect this to be brought in on Wednesday, February 15.  Again, the final product should be something that the Temescalian can carry into the classroom on his/her own and should feature only local plants or animals from his/her assigned ecosystem in the Bay Area.

Our 7th grade Buddies brought down their portfolios that they have been working on all year.  The Temescalians shared about similarities and differences between the portfolios that they make and the ones that we make in Temescal Creek.  The 7th graders’ portfolios are done a few times and also include study strategies and tools that help them, in addition to pieces that they are proud of.

We celebrated a Temescalian birthday, on her actual birthday!

A few other snapshots of our week!

Friendship Week will be from Feb. 6-10.  As outlined in the pink letter sent home, this week we will show friendship through acts of kindness.
We also have a field trip on Feb. 10 to Zellerbach Hall for a performance of Seven Fingers: Confessions and Cuisine.  (Bring a packed home lunch!)
We will celebrate Valentine’s Day on Feb. 14 so if you would like to, please bring in Valentines on Tuesday, Feb. 14.

We hope you had a great weekend!  See you on Monday!