Dearest Lower Elementary West,
What an interesting first week back! Thanks for your flexibility around Wednesday's cancellation. It definitely threw me off my rhythm --- hope it didn't throw you all off too much.
Down below is some news about what we've been up to, a picture of all of the books you helped donate and some fantastic events coming up this week at GRS.
What we're doing
Our next continent of study is going to be..... ASIA! A place where the first animal was sent to outer space, a place where Great Walls were built to protect themselves from fierce leaders like Genghis Khan, and where two thirds of the world's population now lives. We're all very excited about this upcoming study. Please contact me if you'd like to share any knowledge you have about this continent.
First years are creating their own Asia maps using the Montessori puzzle maps. They are also doing some beginning money practice and learning about the external characteristics of Amphibians. For spelling practice, students have been putting words in alphabetical order, writing the words in sentences or rewriting the words 2 times. Playing games with the spelling words at home is also great practice. Spelling list: Duck, luck, tuck, buck, yuck, truck, stuck, cluck, snuck,
pluck
Second years are beginning their Asia study by answering questions about the geography of the continent as well as learning how to count in Japanese, write haikus and use Kanji characters to write words and numbers in Japanese. They are also continuing their word study of singular and plural nouns (when to add /ies'). Second years are also beginning their study of the Clock of Eras and the Timeline of Life. These are both very impressionistic and classic Montessori materials that present the history of life on Earth in an engaging and approachable way. I'm very excited for the work we have coming up. For spelling practice, students have been putting words in alphabetical order, writing the words in sentences or rewriting the words 2 times. Playing games with the spelling words at home is also great practice. Spelling list: Ball, call, fall, hall, bell, wall, bill, hill, spell, small - second graders had to discover what the rule for when words end in /ll/.
Third years are also beginning their Asia study by answering questions about the geography of the continent and they are going to learn how to draw an Asia map three times bigger through using grid drawing. It will hang up in our room during our study of Asia. We also practiced the Japanese art of origami and created paper cranes on Friday. Third years are also practicing multiplication through the commutative property and discovered that even if you swap the multiplicand and the multiplier, you still always end up with the same product. They're creating fun flap books so they can practice their multiplication facts and play a fun game with a friend. Along with their academic work, third years are doing lessons called "How to get justice" and we're discussing and role playing different ways to solve problems. For instance, we will practice how to get someone's attention, what to do if you lost something, what to do if someone steps or ruins your rug work, etc. The third years have a goal of working together as a whole group so that they can discuss topics such as a possible pet for the class. The more they demonstrate how they can work together as a team the more prepared they are to problem solve together. They're hoping to have the conversation about a class pet soon, so if any of you have any leads or ideas for potential class pets, pass that information onto your child so that they can share with the class. For spelling practice, students have been putting words in alphabetical order, writing the words in sentences or rewriting the words 2 times. Playing games with the spelling words at home is also great practice. Spelling list: /s/ spelling using "s" and "ci" sand, also, person, scrap, string, city, cinnamon, pencil,
circle, circus
Check out all of the books we donated to the MN Literacy Council. Big thanks to all!
Upcoming Events
Monday, January 12th @ 6:30
Parents Are Sexuality Educators
FREE Workshop for Parents!
PASE Workshop (Parents Are Sexuality Educators)
Provided By: Family Tree Clinic
When: Monday, January 12th from 6:30-7:30 pm
Where: Great River School @ West Campus Multi-Purpose Space
What:
We have arranged for an education night for you! Come to a presentation and discussion with a Family Tree Clinic educator about talking to your kids about sex and sexuality. We will discuss typical stages of sexual development for children and adolescents of all ages (including the oh-so-wonderful puberty!) We will also learn effective communication skills to aid in talking with your children about various sexuality topics.
At the end of January, Family Tree will be coming to speak with Great River School upper elementary students about age-appropriate sexual education topics. We want to invite all parents, and especially elementary parents, to this evening in connection with our curriculum in late January.
Audience:
This presentation is an Adult Only event and geared towards parents of students in grades 1-6. FREE childcare for children ages 3-12 will be available through Big Canoe Kid's Club beginning at 6:15 pm that evening.
Thursday, January 14th @ 6:00
Parent Education night: The Great Lessons
Come meet other families and hear the Montessori Great Lessons. The Great Lessons are impressionistic stories about the beginning of the universe, when life came to earth, when humans came to earth and the beginnings of numbers and writing. Should be a great opportunity to discuss the rationale behind the Great Lessons and get to know other GRS families. Hope to see you there!
That's all for now. Have a great weekend!
All the best,
Jessy
