After spending a week together interviewing and getting to know each other, students welcomed one another with appreciations, kids words, and wishes in the "Sunflower Ceremony." Take a glimpse into our classroom over the past three days and you’ll see students building icosahedrons (learning about geometric solids, explaining mathematical thinking, examining problem solving strategies), playing group games, creating self-portrait collages as well as hearing discussions about the characteristics of successful teamwork (and illustrating them using thinking maps) and laughter during get-to-know-you activities. All this has taken place in an child-created atmosphere of kindness and cooperation. Even though this seems quite busy, we’ve also been taking time to pause and get grounded through some mindfulness activities--abdominal breathing and using the breath as an anchor. We are intentionally spending the first few weeks in homerooms in order to build community and hold our classes close before regular math and Spanish classes begin. Next week, students will begin either an exploration of social studies or science with their homeroom teachers (Lynn and Peter are teaching a course titled Explorations and Revolutions and Lauren and Rachel are teaching Earth systems science). Finally, I have assigned an interactive “home work“ for your child. It is to share the passage I read to them at the end of the first day of school. They will also ask you a few questions. Your child should have this in their binder or expandable file and the due date written in their planner. Since I am trying to encourage responsibility and independence, please do not ask them about homework until Monday night. If your child can not find their handout, it can be found at the homework/handout tab. |
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September 2019
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