Dear Lower Elementary West Community,
We had a good solid week of improving community and good work. At this point the children are in a good place with work: There is a general sense of purpose to the morning work period, and the atmosphere of positive activity is building. I especially appreciate the way the children come in every morning ready to get to their tasks.
At any one time during the morning, almost half of the children are engaged directly in academic work, while the other half is either a lesson, reading in the library, preparing or eating snack, or enjoying a break with social interaction. At this point in the year, very few (or no) children are without "something to do." This is just as it should be, and it bodes well for a very healthy remainder of the year.
Socially and in terms of community, we see important developments every week. The student-led community meetings have become very meaningful times for connection, reflection, and decision-making. In fact, the children's attention and willingness has outgrown the short time we have for meeting in the afternoons. It seems all of us are wishing there were a little more time in the day.
One high point this week was Jessy's sharing discussion of what it means to be human. She spoke to the whole group: What do humans have that other life forms do not? She opened the discussion up to the children's sharing, and they responded beautifully, sharing how they themselves have experienced the work of the hands, heart, and imagination in their own lives. There was much meaningful expression around family members and pets that have passed, and how much love for them still remains.
Work and Lessons
For first years, studies importantly included lots of writing, especially labeling the room with sentence cards to explain things such a shelves, plants, tape dispensers, guitars, and other things. Their written expression is really taking off; such a good sign of developing literacy. A group of first years also lent their passion to an "owl project," which has become a tour de force. Happily, they're receiving meaningful help from older students. They also received lessons of counting money, basic geographical land forms, and labeling the classroom.
Second years learned about fractions and capital letters, and some also participated in the labeling. Their work is especially varied, working to finish animal studies, prepositions, graphing weather, and other things. There are a few working on chosen tasks, such as analyzing recipes and studying their ingredients (and bringing the product in for snack!).
Third years seem to always have big work happening, supplemented by daily studies of math. Rock and mineral projects continue to excite them, among other things. There is a dramatic piece about annelids (earthworms and leeches) and nematodes (roundworms and others), which is brewing up bit by bit. We look forward to seeing that finished and performed! The third years received lessons on advanced landforms and grammar strips, and they're working to perfect their skills with the clock.
And last but not least... Jessy and I so appreciated our conference time with you these past few days. Your effort and willingness to come and meet means so much to us. First of all it's fun, but also it gives us valuable insight that can really improve our work with your children.
With very best wishes, and warmly,
Erik
