We have been very busy since returning to school after the holiday break. In addition to academics, the children have been preparing for our first-ever Cultural Festival, next Thursday evening, January 17th beginning at 5:45pm. A flyer outlining details about the festival will be coming home today. I look forward to seeing everyone there!
The respiratory unit is drawing to a close and will culminate next week with a unit test. The children have materials from which to study, including scaffolded notes from a Google Slide presentation. Beginning the following week, we will begin our newest science unit, "How Do You Bring Fresh Water to Those in Need." Anna, a PhD. student from SUNY, will be joining us for science each day.
In writing, our focus is non-fiction writing, and the children have researched a topic related to Westward Expansion. Over the last couple of days, they have written a flash-draft. This will be revised and edited MANY times over the next several weeks. To complement this unit, we are focusing on non-fiction reading right now. Since beginning this unit, the children have compared and contrasted the same article about Octopuses at various reading levels. It has been interesting to see how the same information can be shared with a variety of grade levels (Grades 2-6).
Play rehearsal has been going well, although there are still a number of students who have not memorized their lines and/or song lyrics. At this point, Mrs. Clarkson and I are blocking the action on stage, and the children can not rely on a script. Play rehearsals, with the exception of our February break, will be weekly at their designated time. Children should arrive and be picked up on time. Since we began in December, despite the reminders, children are being dropped off late and/or begin picked up late. I appreciate your support in this regard.
I'd like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very happy and healthy 2019! Hope to see you next Thursday night for the Cultural Festival!
Kind regards, Lester B. and Class
