Hello LEW Families!
Week two back has been busy as all of us are getting back into the swing of things. It's incredible to see the students come into the classroom with the motivation to go deep into their works. The routine is very established during work time and we've established even stronger routines during other parts of the day that needed a boost - namely clean up. We are also to the point when the students can independently write and/or read, which has made our readers and writers workshop time feel very purposeful. The field trip was amazing at the Ordway this past Tuesday. We had a great time watching and dancing with Ballet Hispanica!
What we're working on
First years are continuing their practice with stamp game addition while simultaneously practicing their addition facts for 10. Ask your child about the snake game. The students are also practicing their writing about what they enjoy about the winter. We have some amazing story tellers in this group. They are also becoming more and more acquainted with the parts of a clock and creating their own. Finally, the first years have been continuing to study water and conduct experiments related to surface tension.
Second years are also continuing their practice with the stamp game and subtraction with borrowing. They are mastering their doubles and doubles+1 math facts as well. The second years had a writing session with Erik and also had a chance to write about some of their favorite winter memories. Through looking at different pictures of cultures around North America, the second years are sorting and classifying the photos into groups to represent the fundamental needs. This group has also gotten into promoting water conservation and have been making posters to spread the word.
Third years are spending a lot of time on multiplication and mastering x facts. See if you can find time to play some multiplication games - we're specifically trying to memorize skip counting by 2s, 3s, 4s, and 5s and some are working on 6s, 7s, and 8s. Once they have their skip counting down, this will truly help them in their exploration of long multiplication with the checkerboard (amazing material). The third years are also practicing their story telling and are learning how to assess great story telling. Their origin stories are coming along and they are approaching the stage where they can be "published." In history, third years are going deep into a vertical study of the fundamental needs. A vertical study means that they will choose one culture - i.e. the ancient egyptians or a native american tribe - and then research how all of that culture fulfilled their needs (clothing, shelter, food, transportation, etc.) There will be an opportunity to have an exhibit of this big work which the students get very excited about.
Events and important dates
February 11 & 12 - No School for an all faculty retreat.
February 20th The Great River Soiree - This is our biggest fundraiser of the year and it's an absolute blast. We sent home more information about the Soiree in Thursday Folders.
Thanks to all of you for all of the generous box and yarn donations! We're definitely all set for our upcoming projects :)
Have a great long weekend!
Warm regards,
-- Jessy Eaton Fabel
Lower Elementary Guide"Our aim therefore is not merely to make the child understand, and still less to force him to memorize, but so to touch his imagination as to enthuse him to his inmost core." ~ Maria Montessori
