Last Friday, we had an assembly where we learned about fire safety and got to explore a fire engine and ambulance. We also completed our individual butterflies for the Journey North Symbolic Migration Project. Please enjoy the pictures below!
In other news, we will be beginning a science unit on Monday called Pebbles, Sand and Silt. This is a unit that is in line with the newly adopted Next Generation Science Standards. Our district science coordinator, Stephanie Konowitz, will be joining us for some of the lessons. We are very excited about this hands on unit. Here is some more information about it:
“The Pebbles, Sand, and Silt Module provides experiences that heighten primary students’ awareness, curiosity, and understanding of Earth’s natural resources—rocks, soil, and water—and provides opportunities for students to engage in scientific and engineering practices. Students explore the natural world by using simple tools to observe and describe properties of earth materials. In this module, students will • Observe and compare physical properties of rocks and soils, using various tools. • Rub rocks together and observe that they break into smaller pieces. • Use screens to separate and group river rocks by particle size, and investigate properties of pebbles, gravel, sand, silt, and clay particles. • Explore places where earth materials are naturally found and ways that earth materials are used. • Use sand to make sculptures and clay to make beads, jewelry, and bricks. • Find, collect, record, and compare samples of soil outside the classroom.” (from www.fossweb.com)
As part of our balanced literacy program, last week, we began meeting with guided reading groups. Groups are reading books at their instructional levels, as well as working on reading strategies to promote greater understanding as readers. In writer’s workshop, students are beginning to write about “small moments” from their lives--single events that are important to them. We have been talking about the many different tools a writer can use to help them (i.e. pencil, paper, partner, word wall and other charts).
A reminder that there is no school this Wednesday, September 23. Also, be on the lookout for a SignUpGenius email from us for fall conferences, which will be happening in mid-October. As always, if you have any questions or concerns before then (or after then), never hesitate to contact us.
No comments:
Post a Comment