Thank you for making the time to come and chat with me at Parent-Teacher conferences. It was wonderful to share the last 3-ish months of learning with you, and celebrate your child's accomplishments and growth. Our next formal communication is through report cards in January, but please do not hesitate to contact me at any time with questions or concerns.
This week, students:
- revisited their prior learning on bats
- learned the term "hibernaculum": a shelter occupied during the winter by dormant animals, such as an insect, snake or bat)
- watched videos of researchers in Ontario examining little brown bats in their hibernaculum, looking for evidence of White Nose Fungus
- discovered the Narcisse Snake Dens (another hibernaculum)
- continued their work on repeating, increasing and/or decreasing patterns
- applied their understanding to problem solving situations
- explored ways to organize their pattern data for personal understanding, and communication to an audience (me! you! their peers!)
- developed a variety of pattern representations (words, numbers, pictures, symbols) to identify pattern rules
- continued exploring gymnastics with the addition of basic equipment including balance beams, foam stairs, wedges, blocks, wheels and cylinders
- practiced safety through control and accuracy of movements, turn-taking and "safety space"
- became familiar with safe dismounts: holding for a count of two to ensure control before transitioning to next movement, and ensuring correct posture for limited knee strain
- examined the art of Frida Kahlo: Self Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird
- made predictions about the symbols, imagery and Kahlo's identity by asking and answering the questions: What do you see? What do you think? What do you wonder?
- read the book "Frida Kahlo: The Artist Who Painted Herself" to gain more information about Frida's life, and see how accurate our predictions were
- made additional connections about Frida Kahlo's identity using "The Frame"
- organized our identity artifacts and began an "identity inventory" to see what we are missing (children will bring home their inventory lists next week)
- Ms. Brown shared her identity portrait example so students could see what a finished portrait and frame will look like
- participated in a "We Are Connected" lesson with Mrs. Jones, our principal
- previewed the Scholastic Book Fair!
Have a wonderful weekend everyone!
Ms. Thomas
