February 23, 2014

This post includes a lot of important information, so please read carefully! The goal is to give an update on the current happenings in Morado and share upcoming dates to put on your calendar.  We've also included a few curriculum plans to give you an understanding of where we are headed academically. I would love to start by saying how valuable it was to sit with all of you for parent teacher conferences. The important job we have as teachers isn't anything compared to the job you have as parents, and it is always so productive to sit down as a team to discuss your child's social, emotional and academic life.     

    We love our theatre residency! We had our first week working with Gillian Jorgensen, our theatre teacher from Book It Reperatory Theatre. She will be giving us ten hours of direction and guidance in order to prepare us for the March 1st performance. ​ The kindergartners have been joining first and second graders and it has been wonderful to see the shared leadership skills that are developing. Third graders have joined the Upper Elementary and are so proud to be part of something that feels big. We can't wait to see you on Saturday, March 1st!​ We hope you've had a lot of fun and success over the weekend to practice lines with your child.
 
    We have begun our lessons on the Tree of Life, beginning with the students using their bodies to build a living tree made up of Prokaryotes, Protistas, Fungi, Plants and Animals. Next we will look more carefully at bacteria and how it relates to everyday life. We will also be creating our own pond environments, growing our own fungi in the classroom, and conducting plant life experiments! 

    In Choices, we are covering bullying. This is a popular topic as students are always looking to categorize and understand the choices they make in friendships and problem-solving. We made an important distinction between actually bullying (multiple behaviors happening a lot or all the time ) and making a ''bullying mistake'​' (a choice you know you shouldn't have made that can be fixed through problem-solving) We are reading a lot of stories to understand why children bully and are learning the power of the bystander.

    ​Please note that next week Morado will be going to the library on Wednesday and the Seattle Art Museum the following day. We are looking for parent volunteers to help drive and chaperon these two events, so let us know if you are available! It is also important that your family is available and committed to the Saturday, March 1st event. Your child has been cast in the play and will have put an extraordinary amount of work in to prepare for his/her role.

    ​We are looking for parent volunteers! We would like some help coordinating our efforts for refreshments on the day of the theatre performance. Ideally, we would like one parent who is willing to communicate and coordinate refreshments. MCH will have a cake for dessert but we would also like to serve finger foods and beverages.

    We also need help with our book fair that is coming up in April. Other opportunities continue to include spelling pre-test support, reading with students, and flower arranging. With spring getting closer, students take more interest in plant life in the classroom-it helps us get through the last long stretch of winter-and donations of fresh flower bouquets provide children with practical life opportunities in cutting, arranging and drying flowers. Please let us know how you would like to help in your child's classroom! 
 
Peace,
Ms. Jessie and Mr. Ben