February 23, 2016

Maybe you’ve already heard, but science got extremely messy in Turquesa last week. We’re studying atoms and will soon be building models of atomic structures and bonds. But first, we had to re-arrange some atoms and it got a little out of control. The whole idea of the lesson was that science is fun and wonderful, that science can blow our minds. It was what Maria Montessori called an “impressionistic lesson” because it was designed to leave a lasting impression of several key concepts in a way that engages the children's imagination and emotions. When you get a chance, ask your child about the lesson.
 
In other exciting news, we’re madly preparing for our Colonial Feast on Thursday. The menu has been created and the ingredients lists are waiting for our grocery store expeditions.  We have some very delicious plans! Please make sure you rsvp on Bloomz and that you send in $5 per person to cover the cost of food.
 
As I’ve mentioned before, we are working with the social skills curriculum called Zones of Regulation. We’ll be doing lessons once or twice a week in Zones. I think it's important for you to know what we're doing so that you can use the same language and concepts at home. The foundational concepts we are exploring first in Zones involve some very specific vocabulary.

• “Expected” vs. “unexpected” behavior

• “You can change/affect how I feel”

• “Good thoughts” vs. “uncomfortable thoughts”

 
In homework news, Sixth Graders should be hard at work on their Island Project Timelines. This work should definitely be happening at home and will be stronger if it’s shared with parents and others. I encourage you to have lots of conversations and to collaborate with your child on this work. It will be helpful for them to answer your thoughtful questions, evaluate their own logic and reasoning, and feel your excitement at the culture and history of the island takes shape.
 
For all Turquesa students who are using Wordly Wise, we are now moving to weekly lessons and tests. This means that each week an entire Wordly Wise lesson must be completed in the workbook and that every Friday there will be a vocabulary test.  Students should complete the lesson prior to the test date, and bring their workbook to school every test date so that they can correct and review their work before taking the test. Here is the list of dates/tests that we developed together as a class (the same list is hanging in the classroom).
2-19: Lesson 9 Test
2-26: Lesson 10 Test
3-4: Lesson 11 Test
3-18: Lesson 12 Test
3-25: Lesson 13 Test
4-1: Lesson 14 Test
4-15: Lesson 15 Test
4-22: Lesson 16 Test
4-29: Lesson 17 Test
5-6: Lesson 18 Test
5-13: Lesson 19 Test
5-20: Lesson 20 Test
 
We have several upcoming field trips that you are welcome to join as drivers. First, we're headed to the Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center on Friday, 3-18. We'll leave here at 9:30 and return at 2:30. On April 1, we're heading to the Gates Foundation to get inspired about the work that can be done to change the world. This is direct preparation for the Change Projects the children will be creating mid-May to mid-June. We'll post driver sign-ups on Bloomz for both of these events.
 
Please let me know if you have questions or concerns.