I was trying to figure out how I wanted to wrap up a rather emotional and reflective week. On Monday, during our Morning Meeting, a couple of kids had questions about funerals and memorial services and why we have them. I was glad that the kids felt that they could ask and the fact that they would ask in front of the whole class. It ended up being a great conversation and resulted in a better understanding of the whole grieving process. I decided to read one of my favorite children's books to the class during read a loud. I felt it was appropriate to read about "unconditional love" at a 1st and 2nd grade level. I have included a video reading of the book for you to listen to (if you desire).
This week the students were introduced to writing checklists. These checklists are specific for each grade and focus on the genre of narrative writing. Mrs. Jane and I have been using these with the
kids as we edit their work. I also taught the students how to reflect upon a completed checklist to create a writing goal for themselves. The conversation during writing instruction has been around building writing muscles and ways in which a writer can become stronger.
Once again, we spent Wednesday afternoon immersed in science. This week the students were introduced to the term environment (meaning physical surroundings/area in which an organism lives). As a class we watched a presentation and video about the Pacific Ocean. The students focused on what is found in that environment and learned about how an octopus and great white shark adapt in their environment. The class was then divided into teams of four or five and given a new extreme environment of their own. They had to use a media presentation to learn about elements in that environment and organisms that can sustain life there. The lesson wrapped up with the students documenting their learning and explaining how certain animal's adaptations (from their extreme environment) help the animal survive. Make sure to check in with your child about their environment.
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| A student shared her new puppy with the class. |
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| The students listened to a presentation from the High Fives Foundation |
Yesterday, Phil Scott joined our class via Google Hangout. I was able to project Phil on our Smart board and then used my laptop as the camera. Mr. Scott was great with the kids and answered the same two questions that we asked Sue Minter's campaign. Logan asked him about auto racing and Phil was more than happy to talk about his love for racing. Now that we have heard from both campaigns, I will contact the town clerk about holding our mock election. I am also looking at incorporating a few other things during election day itself. More details to come on this.
NOTES:
*WE NEED YOUR HELP! I am working with Nora, our art teacher, on a recycled art project. The goal is for the kids to work on a project this spring. However, we need to start collecting items now. The project will involve students using plastic bottle caps. These can be from soda bottles, water bottles, ice tea bottles, orange juice bottles, or any other bottle. Please start saving them and sending them in. I will have a collection box here at school. We will need a large amount of these, so please spread the word.
*Your child has their Weekly News journal in their homework bags.
Have a great weekend.
Peace,
Tommy
