Fall is quickly approaching. Leaves on the trees will soon be changing to the different shades of brown, yellow, and orange. Just as the excitement of a new season comes, so does our excitement for learning. The students have been learning how to say yan se (colors) in Mandarin. This week, the students were asked to reflect on what makes a good citizen, and what sorts of actions a good citizen does.
Thank you to all the parents who took time out of your busy schedules to attend Open House. I know the Explorers were excited for you to see their classrooms, and all the things they are learning. The students love having choice during their math Daily 3, and Daily 5 in reading and writing. The choice allows them to the opportunity to pick the order of their stations.
We have had an amazing first two weeks of school. We loved getting to know our new classmates, while learning the layout of our new rooms. The students learned several parts of the Daily 5 reading program, and Daily 3 math program. The Daily 5/3 are not a part of a set curriculum, but a framework that allows your child to build independence and stamina while working. The students have to hold themselves accountable while working independently, which directly relates to our first Unit of Inquiry (UOI), Who We Are, and our Central Idea, actions have consequences. The students are learning that actions can have positive or negative consequences. This week we will examine what that looks like, and feels like.
We celebrated 1/2 of the summer birthdays at our first school wide Monday morning meeting. During our meeting, the official IB flag was displayed. It was such an emotional time for all of the staff who have worked for four years to get to this moment. We also had our first Mandarin classes of the year. Sadly, two of our Mandarin teachers returned to China over the summer. Until more Mandarin teachers join us, we will have Mandarin twice a week. On Friday, we celebrated the return of Jim "Basketball" Jones. He always provides us with such a positive message. He inspires us to work with a good attitude. |
AuthorsMrs. Fairman Archives
March 2015
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