Another week of learning is almost over! With this warm and sunny weather outside, it is hard to believe that school has started. Thank you all for sending in water bottles for your child. It is hot outside and our classroom is even hotter. Water keeps us hydrated and ready to learn.
This week, we started celebrating International Dot Day. International Dot Day is based upon the book "The Dot" written by Peter Reynolds. It is a story about a little girl, who feels discouraged in art class, but her confidence starts to blossom after her art teacher praises one of her first creations; a picture with a little dot. The girl in the story signs her picture proudly and discovers that she is good at drawing dots. She draws big dots, little dots and colorful dots. She also draws dots with white centers and dots next to each other. As she's drawing, her confidence grows. At the end, she encourages another student to take a risk in school too and start a new project. Dot Day celebrates our potential for greatness, our innate ability to always make a new, and better choice. This week, we went online and listened to Peter Reynolds read his story live. He has an amazing web-site, if you like to explore it at home with your child. It is already linked on the school web-site, under Author links. I have also linked it here
The students also had their first science experiment this week. In class, we read a book about apples, by Gail Gibbons. Afterwards, we tasted different types of apples and voted for our favorite kind. Yellow apples won! The students wrote about this experiment in their new Science Journals. In scientific writing, the students learn to clearly label their drawings, give their writing a title, and even include the time and the date. The students also learn to be very specific with their word choice as they are describing "real" events or occurrences. The students learn to carefully inquire, observe and back up their thinking with real evidence. They also learn to rely on their senses, rather than feelings about something. We will continue with more science next week and even share our writing pieces with you online, so you can see what 1st and 2nd grade scientists can do.
We have our first computer lab time tomorrow. We will visit the computer lab every Friday. The students will learn how to access our network, web-sites and even Animation-ish, a computer program created by Peter Reynolds. Next week, we will start our podcasting in literacy. I have multiple MP3 players for the students to use in the classroom, but I would like to ask all new 1st graders to bring in their very own ear-plugs, if possible. (2nd graders who brought their ear-plugs home last year should bring new ones in as well. Thank you). Please put them inside a small ziplock bag with your child's name on it. That way, students will not share germs. Thank you. Small ear-plugs are available at places such as Walmart or Best Buy. I think drug drug stores sell them too. I have extra ear-plugs in the classroom, if your child needs them. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns about this.
Lastly, some reminders:
Don't forget to return Homework Folders and Book Bags on Thursdays! Thank you.
Our school-wide Curriculum Night is scheduled for 6:30-7:30pm next Wednesday, September 19th. I hope to see you then!
Regards,
Maria
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