Hi Folks,

We had a pleasant start to the week as our classroom felt cozy and inviting against the morning fog. Students worked busily on Monday math lessons and their maps of Africa. We are getting so excited about our upcoming theatre residency in February and have been reading about Anansi the spider, a trickster of African folktales. Storytelling has always been a central way to bring a feeling of community about in the classroom, and today was full of it as we read a Fable during Choices and began a new read-aloud, Stuart Little.     

At our class meeting last week, students were eager to begin a sharing schedule to bring in favorite items or share stories from their life. We took a vote and students would like to bring sharing in every Tuesday. This seemed like a not-so busy, sharing kind of day. Everyone is excited to get started right away, and have been brainstorming different themes for each week.
Tomorrow, students are welcome to bring in something they want to share with the class. Since we haven't decided on any themes, students decided they could choose anything special they felt like sharing, as long it can come with them in their backpacks.  Please look for a sharing schedule in this Friday's folder for our upcoming themes. 
We look forward to seeing everyone at this Friday's Continental Breakfast! 
Peace, Ms. Jessie and Mr. Ben

Hi Folks,

New classroom! New kitchen! New energy! Need I say more? 
 
Alright...it has been an eventful first week in our new building! Students were relieved to fall right back to routine and order. Our new space accommodates new practical life activities like dish washing, floor scrubbing, and plenty of space for yoga. We love the buzz of the Turquesa students next door, and there has already been so much collaboration between the two classrooms! Third graders watched Upper El science presentations, a few Morado students were asked to join in a skit with some fifth graders, and we were happy to share our yummy gingerbread cookies made in our new kitchen with everyone in Turquesa. Thank you so much to Karolina (Iza grade 3) for continuing to bring so many delicious and motivating cooking projects to us! Your student is bringing his or her cookies home in backpacks-they have strict orders to share!       

Lessons this week included Homophones, Introduction to the Adverb and Quadrilaterals. Mr. Ben also did a big group lesson that was focused on the Needs of People all over Africa. We used Venn Diagram hoops to decide the needs that were Physical, Spiritual or both. Everyone agreed that love was both- ''It's the strongest and most powerful feeling of all!" declared one student. In homework this week, your child is asked to look more carefully at how his or her own needs are met.      

This was the first week ever that ALL students returned their Friday folders on time! Let's keep up the good work-re-using your folder saves money, resources and the time it takes to make a new one. 

Please have a wonderful three-day weekend and we will see you all on Tuesday! Go Hawks! 

Peace, Ms. Jessie and Mr. Ben