September 19, 2015

¿Como se llama? Me llamo Mary. This week, the children added Spanish to their schedule. They were surprised to find out how many countries count Spanish as their official language, and how many people in the US speak Spanish.

We continued the Great Lessons with number 3: The Coming of Humans. What makes humans special: an opposing thumb? the ability to remember the past, predict the future, and tell stories? the ability to love people we have never seen and species outside of our own? We added Homo naledi to the list of early humans, since the new find was announced this week.

Children selected their Literature Circle books based on interest rather than reading level, and we are in the midst of reading them together. Discussions will begin next week. Children were introduced to compound words, nouns, and verbs. They had their first spelling tests. They role-played various ways to include children who wish to join a group that is playing. They also discussed the importance of spending time with classmates they haven't worked or played with lately.

Thank you to all the volunteers who came to Friday's training. We appreciate your support. Please take some time with your child to discuss the goal-setting sheet this weekend, if you haven't yet done so. We would like to see those by Monday. Also, save the evening of September 29th for curriculum night. We look forward to telling you more about the five Great Lessons.

Mr. Ben, Ms. Mary, and Ms. Khavitha