I need to apologize. I forgot to post last week's video, on Tuesday, as promised. Please find it below.
This week we started to dive into our routines more deeply. We have been learning to read to ourselves. This is one part of our language arts block called the Daily 4. The Daily 4 consists of 4 different language arts activities that students can choose from. While I am working with kids in small, differentiated, "reading groups." the rest of the class is engaged with these. It allows for student choice and interests to drive their own learning while still accomplishing the required learning outcomes.
We also spent some time creating our class rules. I asked the students to think about their Hopes and Dreams illustrations and what they would need in place for rules that would help them achieve their goals. The class initially came up with 16 rules. We all agreed that this was too many and one student had the idea of putting them into categories. This narrowed the list down to 5 simple rules or should I say 4 rules and a suggestion. Below is the poster that they all signed agreeing to follow these simple requests.
We were also visited by three different dogs this week. Kane, Steele, and Caroline all brought in their dogs and shared them during our morning meeting. Steele's dog gave Anna Mae & Kane more kisses than my great Italian aunts do a a family wedding. Let's just say it was a lot. I am very excited to announce that my friend Ajay Rastogi will be able to lead our class in some yoga this year. He lives in India and is know for his love a sustainability and yoga. He just got back from a glacial trek (see picture below) and was hoping to be able to be able to connect with the group this year. He will be traveling to Princeton in September to work with some students but will be
On Thursday we had an all school assembly. The school found out that we are working toward an all school celebration that will involve pumpkins, pizza, our families, and a stroll on the mad path in the evening. I hope our school wide work toward our expected school behaviors will pay off and we earn this fun filled event. Ask your child about tickets and rocks and why he/she gets them.
This October, our class will be participating in a Climate Action project. It is being run by a friend of mine in Belgium and involves over 50 countries and 150 different schools. Our focus will be as follows:
Students will focus on 4 different topics during the Climate Action project:
- week1: Introduction - What is climate change?
- week2: Causes and effects in your own country
- week3: Action - How do avoid/solve the effects - Action on a personal/local/global level
- week4: Let's talk about it - Exchanging insights and findings via Skype sessions
We will work collaboratively as a class and learn how others are dealing with this global issue at the same time. If you would like to learn more about this project, see our class page, and/or see other schools and classes participating, check out http://www.climate-action.info/
NOTE: Your child has their 1st Weekly News entry in their homework bag. Please take a look and a moment to respond to them. We will read the responses at Morning Meeting on Monday morning.
That is all for now. I hope you all have a great weekend.
Peace,
Tommy
NOTE: Your child has their 1st Weekly News entry in their homework bag. Please take a look and a moment to respond to them. We will read the responses at Morning Meeting on Monday morning.
That is all for now. I hope you all have a great weekend.
Peace,
Tommy
