Thank you to all of the grown ups who made it to Back to School Night last week. Your children were delighted to read the letters you wrote back to them and that you followed their maps to their favorite spots in Temescal Creek. We appreciated sharing our hopes and dreams for the year and hearing yours. Parents also got to experience a science phenomenon their child saw earlier that day: a cloud in a jar! If you couldn’t make it feel free to stop by the classroom to see your child’s hard work on display: I Am poems, Hopes and Dreams writing, and Summer Memento gallery. Also look for a folder coming home from the evening with curriculum information and an overview of the year.
Students experienced the Cloud in a Jar phenomenon and drew models of what they thought was happening on a molecular level. This required some background knowledge on what molecules and atoms are, and what happens when they get hot and cold. Ask your Temesclians for more information! Leaving lots of space for the scientists to grapple, many connections were made with weather, hurricanes, and the water cycle. For Super Science and Art on Friday Julianne introduced us to an artist who creates clouds in spaces like rooms and cathedrals, and then captures them in photographs, wow! We then created our own art in response.
In math, we continued to look for patterns in addition facts and then moved into focusing on subtraction. Categorizing and color coding different facts helped us to make connections and see patterns. We have been trying out new math games that help us to reinforce and challenge number sense. The number corner calendar continues to spiral in practice of patterns and multiplication.
In writing workshop we wrote I Am poems and displayed them on leaf rubbings and watercoloring with our photos. We also used editing marks to correct the morning message that was riddled with bloopers. Our Grow Your Garden pieces combine art and writing and represent who we are this year with our strengths/positive attributes, support people, grounding activities, weeds/things that get in the way, and a big sunny goal for the year. Look for this final product on the front of your child’s portfolio that is stored throughout the year in the shelves behind the calendar.
In reading we have been getting to know our library and settling into our Reading Workshop routines. After learning a how to summarize, students wrote and shared summaries of books they are currently reading using the SWBST framework: somebody . . . wanted . . . but . . . so . . . then. The trick is to tell about a book in just a few sentences, without retelling the WHOLE thing. This is no easy task! Although homework doesn’t start until the new year, Temescalians should be reading nightly for at least 20 minutes.
As a classroom community, we reflected on the school wide agreements and discussed what they look like in Temescal. The Temescalians had insightful ideas and showed a deep understanding. These ideas are on display on our door and are the foundation for who we are and how we agree to be together. Soon we will be finalizing and signing our agreements.
The choices we make during free time inside and outside of the classroom are an important part of our learning together and as individuals: reading, math games, four square, drawing, building, conversing. All of these activities are super fun and much, much more. We are connecting and teaching each other and ourselves important things in the process, or just having a few restorative moments in a sunny corner.
Our first birthday celebration was an especially sweet one! In addition to the usual trips around the sun with photos, appreciations, Q & A, and singing happy birthday, the birthday girl decided to give each of her classmates a gift of a book and a bookmark she made. We always appreciate celebrating Temescalian’s being born with their families!
Our Maker Nook is shaping up and the 3D printer has arrived . . . stay tuned!
Thank you in advance for volunteering for Monday morning flower delivery and/or Friday kitchen clean up! Look at the top of this blog for the sign-up link!
