In Math this week, we continued our multiplication work through the lens of looking at graphs. We first surveyed the class, including teachers, for favorite book genres. The problem was that we needed to represent 18 votes with only 15 book icons to glue onto the bar graph. Some Temescalians solved that problem by making 1 book equal to more than 1 vote. Many groups had the book equal to 2 votes and one group even had a book equal to 3 votes. This made for an interesting discussion because while the information stayed the same, the bar graph looked different. This was a great teaching moment to highlight the importance of a key! This work was also a tough one. Many Temescalians were a bit unsure of how to make a graph to represent the information, but we shared back later that this uncomfortable feeling is actually a good one because it means that you’re growing and pushing beyond what comes easily/naturally. We highlighted those who persevered through and leaned into this challenge.
Our literacy work this week involved launching book groups and expanding the introductions and conclusions of our Thankfulness Expository pieces. Our groups are reading George’s Marvelous Medicine, Freckle Juice, Stuart Little, Misty of Chincoteague (pronounced SHINK-uh-teeg) and practicing reading skills while reading aloud to one another while thinking about character development, strategies to keep track of what is happening in the story, and other reading skills they should already be doing when reading independently. We also learned how to do the cursive letter “b” which the Temescalians commented, “doesn’t look anything like the regular b.”
We had many celebrations of Dia de los Muertos. In Art, Julianne and Yangling led the Temescalians in creating a Dia de los Muertos Mexican ofrenda in collaboration with the 4th/5th classes. The students used recycled materials to create the elements of the ofrenda, which symbolize earth, air, water, and fire. The Temescalians also studied change makers and joined in the lower school effort to create different Guatemalan barriletes gigantes (giant kites) to honor change makers.
The 1st/2nd grade classes did a flashmob style performance under Jessica, Jenny, Owen, and Yunaka’s guidance for the whole school that involved skeletons coming alive for each “hour” a clock.
We visited Blackberry Creek and Laurel Creek to see the ofrendas that they created for loved ones who have passed away.
We invited Tanya’s 7a Spanish class to teach us about pre-hispanic Dia de los Muertos activities. They taught us about pre-hispanic ofrendas, making sugar skulls, the story behind marigolds, and creating cut paper. Ask your Temescalian how these pre-hispanic cut paper pieces were different from papel picado.
Gathering together to share what we had learned from the different docent led groups at the Oakland Museum of California, we were able to answer many of the questions that we wondered about before we went to the museum.
With the change of the weather, we shifted our focus in Science to that of plants, parts of a plant, and leaf chromatography. We picked leaves from 4 different types of plants and the Temescalians drew the outlines of each leaf type and colored in what color they thought the leaf would be if there was no chlorophyll. They were operating on the background information that chlorophyll is green and is used to make food for the plant.
After cutting them up, we covered them in rubbing alcohol and put a filter paper in each glass. Just like with the marker chromatography, the rubbing alcohol would help us see the different colors that are in the masticated leaves. (Click here for a link to a leaf chromatography experiment). The results were quite surprising! Who knew that chlorophyll masks such brilliant colors? The only times that we see leaves’ true colors is in the fall, when our hemisphere receives less sunlight and chlorophyll begins to die. The colors that we see in plants are made of carotenoids (yellows, oranges, browns) and anthocyanins (reds, pinks, purples). It seems like grape has a lot of anthocyanins. While the apple and plum leaves looked similar when they were on the tree, apple leaves have a wider variety of carotenoids.
Julianne also led us in an exercise of observational drawing of sunflowers. This was a peaceful practice of slowing down and drawing what we observed.
We are still collecting for those affected by Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. Our Temescalians made posters and we’ll be making an announcement at the upcoming assembly on Friday, 11/10. We will be collecting until 11/17, which is also GrandFriends Day.
Please send in…
Bottled water
Preferably bagged/boxed: Rice, pasta, beans etc. (NON-PERISHABLE)
Protein bars, dried fruit/nut bars
Baby formula
Baby food (non-glass packaging)
Baby diapers (any size)
Wipes
Toiletries (Non liquid forms)
Large Cardboard boxes to ship everything in (50lb limit)
A few upcoming events:
– Math Night is on Wednesday, 11/8 from 6:00 – 7:30pm. We will have a group round of S.K.U.N.K. at 6:30 and 7:00!
– Our field trip on 11/9 to the Exploratorium will also include a trip to AutoDesk. The focus of this trip is looking at and being inspired by others who tinker and try to figure things out! Please send your child dressed for the weather in layers, comfortable walking shoes, a water bottle, and a packed lunch that does not include candy or gum.
– Family Reading will be on 11/10, but for a shortened time of 8:30 – 8:45 so that we can go to the assembly
– GrandFriends Day is coming up on 11/17! Please check your NewsNotes to find out how to rsvp for your Temescalian’s GrandFriend!
Finally, we filmed the Temescalians talking about their Flood Design Challenge models. Their designs definitely went beyond the 2D sketch and even their models. Please click on the following links for your Temescalian’s clip!
Temescal Creek Flood Design Challenge 2017: Abby, Amelia, Anthony, Benji
Temescal Creek Flood Design Challenge 2017: Charlie, Dashiell, Emme, Finnve
Temescal Creek Flood Design Challenge 2017: Grace, James, Mirella, Noah
Temescal Creek Flood Design Challenge 2017: Rosie, Tess, Vivian, Yoshi
Temescal Creek Flood Design Challenge 2017: Friendship Bay
