Freaky Friday Fun!

Happy Halloween! What a freaky, fun Halloweeny day (and a busy one at that): meeting with Cerrito, counting, graphing pumpkin seeds with buddies, doing art with Julianne, walking in the Halloween Parade, taking a spelling test and then relaxing with buddies while watching a movie/eating pumpkin seeds.  As students grow older, they still love (and crave) time with buddies (listening to picture books, carving pumpkins, etc…)  They specifically ask for buddy time so they can participate in these types of things.   Click here for today's photos. Here are photos from yesterday's field trip (thanks Clare and Catherine!): Clare W's photos, Catherine M's photos Quotes of the week: "The quieter you become, the more you can hear." "No one is perfect – that’s why pencils have erasers." "Fall seven times stand up eight." "When witches go riding,and black cats are seen, the moon laughs and whispers, ‘tis near Halloween." I look forward to meeting with each of you on  Thursday and Friday next week (remember no school for students).   Have a safe, fun Happy Halloween weekend (and go Giants!).

Another Great Field Trip!

Strawberry Students pose in front of their Altar at the Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts

We had another successful trip to The Mission.  Thanks to all the chaperones for making it great!  It was interesting to see the whole cycle of the exhibit--from setup to the final show.  Students took advantage of their second visit by spending time really looking at each altar, investigating and inventing reasons for how objects fit into overall themes. Thinking of art as representing bigger ideas is ongoing practice.

I’ll post pictures tomorrow.  If you chaperoned and have pictures, please send them to me. 

The Halloween Parade is tomorrow at 11:00am, and you all are invited to watch.  Costume guidelines are in last Friday’s post.  Your child can either bring her/his outfit and change before the paraded or come to school already in costume.  By the way, I already apologize for my costume as I’m allowing students to create one for me...just mentioning this so you know beforehand….  

Homework for tonight is to:

1.  Read for 30 minutes and fill out the Question Reading Log

2.  Spelling

Have a good night!

Jed

Expressing Understanding Through Art

A vivid memory of my week at Project Zero this summer was sitting beside a tree while painting an abstract picture that reflected what I learned.  I thought deeply about the colors; I wanted to capture different moments of my personal journey.  I'm neither an artist nor artistic, but I still relished the experience.  The process of “doing art”--stroking the brush on the paper, expressing myself freely, and feeling settled---was therapeutic especially within the context of an intense academic week.

Seli and Anika sketch costume designs for their Manikin Book Report Project while Amy works with Uma and Margaux on a Claymation movie

Example of a manikin sketch

Fast forward to today....Students chose one of three topics for their first book report: decorate a wooden manikin and create a backdrop for it; invent a claymation movie based on a part of the story; or construct a model that symbolized something about their book.  After choosing, students sketched their plan and listed materials.

Today students began to implement their plan.  Watching students design clothes for their manikin, draw cartoon strips to plan their claymation movie, or choose just the right color for their backdrop reminded me of painting outside this summer. Their opportunity to demonstrate understanding through art felt equally powerful and therapeutic.

I will post pictures and videos of the final products when they’re completed.  Click here to view a few pictures from today.

Homework for tonight is to:

1.  Read for 30 minutes and complete the Question Reading Log

2.  Fourth grade math page

     Fifth grade math page

3.  Spelling

***Reminder:  Tomorrow we will return to The Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts to see the altar exhibits (including ours).   We will also get to eat at a Taqueria again, so please send $10 with your child (turns out that $7 was not enough last time).  Hot lunch students will get a ‘lunch voucher’ to use for another time.  

Homework for tonight is to:
1.  Read for 30 minutes and record it in the Question Reading Log
2.  Fourth grade math page
     Fifth grade math page
3.  spelling
**Reminder:  Even if your child has a hot lunch, they should also have a snack.  After morning meeting and an hour of math, students need nourishment.

Listening and Speaking Skills

Much of school (and life) focuses on speaking and listening skills.  Listed below are examples of how we’ve been practicing:

Speaking:  During morning meeting we took a minute to think about the weekend and chose one moment that stood out.  Next, students shared the moment in as much detail as they could remember.  Interestingly, their classmates often asked for more detail.  Focusing on one specific part of a whole and describing it is a skill in and of itself; it transfers to all areas of the curriculum. 

Today students presented their map projects to the class.  Groups described what they learned, what was hard and what was fun.   They’re learning to speak out, use eye contact with audience members while teaching new information.   Students are presenting all of the time—by voicing questions, connections, and discoveries; they formally do so every couple of weeks.

Students write comments about design and content while listening to each others map presentation

Listening:  Sometimes during meeting I will ask a question to check for understanding.  For example, “Point to the student who went to the craft fair this weekend.” 

Another more formal way of assessing for understanding occurred last week.  After half the students presented their ‘Why do People Move’ interviews, I asked seven questions based on what was covered (a quiz question could be, for example, “What reasons did Seli’s Dad move from California?").   After the pop quiz, we discussed strategies that students could have used to retain information (sit close, take notes, no side conversations).  During the second round of presentations, students sat close rapt in attention while taking notes.  They listened much more effectively!

Learning listening strategies and understanding how one best comprehends information is empowering.  Now, students often ask to take notes or sit closer. 

Homework for tonight is to:

1.   Read for thirty minutes and record it in the new Question Reading Log
2.    Fourth grade math

        Fifth grade math

3.  spelling

We're growing together!

Field Trip:  Not only was our trip to the Mission Cultural Arts Center a communal bonding experience (eating at La Taqueria, taking BART as a class) students also installed artwork in a real gallery setting.  After lunch we returned to the Cultural Center to finish assembling the altar and do a 'see, think wonder' thinking routine.  Here are examples of the thinking routine.

Strawberry Creek Students head to The Mission Cultural Center to set up altar

Click here to see more pictures from the field trip.

For homework last night students wrote Moment in Time pieces from the trip.  Today we shared and discussed different strategies writers use to “capture” sights, sounds, smells and feelings.  We noticed that each writer could have expanded their piece.  This type of critiquing and looking at writing is slowly developing us into a community of writers!

buddies:  Today we designed and carved pumpkins with our buddies!  Click here for more pictures.

Halloween Parade:  You are all invited to The Halloween Parade on Friday, October 29^th at 11:00.

Guidelines for costumes in the parade are are no weapons, masks, or gore; discouragement of figures from pop culture and encouragement of figures or ideas from literature, history, science, or nature. Random creative costumes are also acceptable, as long as they fit the guidelines.

Buddy Pumpkins picked from pumpkin patch await carving

Class meeting: Each week we have a class meeting about issues that arise inside and out of the classroom.  It’s a wonderful opportunity for students to have “a say” in what happens in the classroom in addition to problem solving social issues. This week’s class meeting discussed whether people should be allowed to play certain games specific to the students who thought of them, what to do with nameless papers, and whether food should be shared for snack.  

Example class meeting agenda item

Flags of the United States

State Flowers

Finally our maps are finished!  More student maps posted here.

Quotes of the week:

"The grass is much greener on the other side of the fence."

"Be yourself."

"Say what you mean, mean what you say, but don't say it mean."

Have a wonderful weekend!

Look for pictures and highlights of today's field trip in tomorrow's post.  It was really successful!

Homework tonight is:

1.  Read for 30 minutes
2.  Field Trip Moment in Time homework
3.  spelling

Have a good night!

Jed

A few reminders...

Tomorrow we are taking our field trip to set up our Dia de los Muertos Altar.  Be sure that your child is dressed in layers (it’s supposed to be colder tomorrow).  Also, as both a communal and cultural experience,  we are planning to eat lunch at a taqueria, so please send $7.00 to school with your child for lunch.   Students who normally get hot lunch will receive a coupon for another lunch (you’ll should receive an e-mail clarifying the procedures for this tomorrow).  We’re looking forward to a fun, productive day tomorrow!

Homework for tonight is to:

1. Read for thirty minutes
2. Fourth math page, fifth math page 
3. spelling
   

Have a good night!

Jed

More updates from Monday and today

Thank you for taking the time to review and discuss your child's work in their Friday Folder.  They returned on Monday excited to share meaningful discussions.

As our k/1 buddy classroom continue their study on The School, we are helping them by conducting interviews with teachers and staff members.    Students created questions, made appointments and conducted interviews with their buddies.   The questions varied from simple (How are you today?) to difficult (“If you could change your life in any way how would you change it and why?”).

Along these lines, fourth grade math students created their survey questions (ie: How many siblings do you have?) for their graphing project. They made appointments and are in the process of polling peers--each of these tasks builds responsibility and confidence.  After polling, students will draw a line plot, calculate the median and create ‘notices and wonders’ based on their data. 

Integrating math and art:
Measuring and cutting for the Dîa De Los Muertos altar project

Students continue their work on The Strawberry Creek altar for Dia de los Muertos.   The class created a theme which honors the planet and people who have helped the environment.  It’s a three tiered circular structure complete with photographs of people being honored and elements of traditional Mexican imagery.   We finished it today and are excited to go to set it up at the museum on Thursday.

More pictures from today.

Homework:

1.  Read for 30 minutes and complete the prediction reading log posted below.

2.  Fourth grade math page (front and back)

    Fifth grade math page

3.  Be sure to return yesterday’s permission slip (posted in Monday's post).  

Homework tonight:

1.  read for thirty minutes and complete prediction reading log (posted below)
2.  fourth math page
     fifth grade math page
3.  spelling
4.  fill out permission slip and return with your child

News from the Last Couple Of Days

It’s been a busy couple of days.  Here are updates:

Break-in:  Your child may have reported that a computer was stolen from our classroom by a burglar on Wednesday night.  She or he knocked out a window and took a computer.  It’s startling to begin a Thursday morning this way, but “the show must go on.”  And on it did….this incident prompted a healthy discussion about perspective taking.  Since the quote of the day was “Love is the key to the problems of the world” a connection was made to Martin Luther King Jr., and the fact that he did not act maliciously.  Further, we discussed why a person would want to steal; students voiced empathetic responses.  Some even wrote a quick write from “the robbers perspective”.   Our conversations felt healthy and age appropriate.  Students did not react overly concerned or frightened.

Strawberry and Cerrito Students Collaborate at this morning's joint morning meeting

Friday Folders:  Every couple of weeks your child brings home their Friday Folder.  It contains homework and some school assignments. We will keep assessments, creative writing, and special projects at school.   Please sit down with your child and go through their work.  Ask questions:  What are you proud of?  Why are you proud of it?  What’s difficult for you?  Why?  Together, create learning goals for the next two weeks. By doing so, you will further understand what and how your child is learning.  She or he will ultimately respect your support and attention. 

Jobs and Responsibilities:  Your child may come home saying, "I'm a cleaning detective."  

One way to learn how to keep the classroom tidy is to make it fun. The students participated in a treasure hunt to collect 'the 18 items that don't belong.'  Amazingly, this group found 17 (they were not able to find the orange rind underneath the couch).  Ever since, students have taken initiative and responsibility when it comes to classroom jobs.  Hopefully, this transfers to the home ;)

Margaux’s birthday:  On Thursday Margaux celebrated her birthday.  As a Strawberry Creek tradition, the students voiced appreciations.  The level of articulation, sincerity and specificity was astounding.  

Quotes of the day:

“In a course of a lifetime what does it matter?” –Taken from our read aloud Walk Two Moons

“You can’t stop the birds of sadness from flying over your head, but you can keep them from nesting in your hair.” –Taken from Walk Two Moons

“Love is the key to the problems of the world.”  Martin Luther King Junior

Have a wonderful weekend.

Jed

More pictures from today's morning meeting and art click here.

Just wanted to post the homework--I'll give you an update tomorrow--have a nice night ;)

Homework for tonight is to:

1.  Read for 30 minutes and fill out the Prediction Reading Log (click on last night's post for a copy if needed).

Jed

Homework for tonight is to:
1.  Complete the Why Do People Move? interview sheet if you haven't already.  
2.  Fourth grade math students do this line plot page and bring an example of a graph (pie, bar, line) from a newspaper, magazine or Internet to school (due tomorrow).
Fourth grade math parents please read this family letter for our graphing unit (also posted to the right).
Fifth grade math homework
3.  Read for thirty minutes and fill out the new Prediction Reading Log

More Quick-writing

Today’s quick-write topic was to "capture" a moment in time from this weekend.  A focus for student-writers  is to slow down and be sure to include details of 'little things'.   One way to teach is to model, so I wrote this piece this morning in front of the children before they practiced for themselves.  Click here to view my quick-write about a moment in time while running a race on Saturday.

Focus and intensity ensued.   Click here for one student's example (also keep in mind that this particular student has lots of practice with this type of quick-writing).

By the way....as hard as it is to wake up and get going after a long weekend, seeing the enthusiastic kids burst into the door this morning made the tough transition so much easier.

Everyone is progressing in all areas!  Thanks for all you've been doing at home!

Homework for tonight:

1.  There is no reading log this week.  Instead, students have two days to complete the Why Do People Move? interview sheet.  I’m giving two days in case your child would like to set up a phone interview with someone outside of the immediate family.

2.  Fourth grade math: a) do multiplication sheet

                                    b) a newspaper/magazine clipping that shows a type of graph (could be line, bar, circle or even a line plot)

Fifth grade math click here

3.  Sign and return Dîa De Los Muertos Permission Slip (and indicate if you can drive).

Just an FYI...no spelling today....

Have a nice night!

Jed

Quotes of the Day

Each morning we read a quote of the day after the morning message. Some of the recent quotes are from Walk Two Moons and some I’ve found. We'll continue to update these so that we have a collection by the end of the year. Here are the quotes we’ve done so far:

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."

"Every cloud has a silver lining."

"You don't know the worth of water until the well runs dry."

"Don't let doing what you can't do stop you from doing what you can do."

"You miss 100% of the shots you never take."

"No act of kindness no matter how small is ever wasted."

"Don't judge a person until you've walked two moons in their moccasins."

"Life is like a bowl of spaghetti. Every now and then you get a meatball."

Let's dance!

Being a part of a community of learners exposes us to a wide variety of talents.  Our own Amy Helmstetter is an accomplished dancer and dance teacher.  Twice a week (Mondays and Wednesdays) from 10:15-10:30 we have added dance before settling into Reader’s/Writer’s Workshop.   The students love it!  Amy chooses hip songs and we’re working towards choreographing an entire song.  

Homework for tonight:

1.  fourth grade math page

     fifth grade math page

2.  read for thirty minutes and complete reading log

3. spelling

Progress!

We have completed a number of ten minute quickwrites when the pencil takes over the hand and words flow onto the journal in free form.  Today's topic was "Getting Hurt" which provided inspiration in the form of pages of writing. 

The United States maps are looking fantastic!  We’re adding latitude and longitude lines (after learning about them) and a compass rose.  Not only have these maps been a learning tool, they’ve also really peeked student interest.  We will finish them this week then present and display the maps around the room next week.

In between each of these activities,  it’s nice to take a break after lunch and read.  

Homework for tonight:

       1.  fourth grade math page

      fifth grade math page


2.  .reading for thirty minutes and filling out the reading log


3.   spelling

Marginalia

Today we practiced the art of "marginalia" while reading nonfiction.  Similar to textual connections (text to self, text to text and text to world), marginalia is another way for readers to make connections while reading nonfiction.  Not only is it one form of note taking, it's also a way to ask questions, make inferences and state opinions.  We generally read at least one piece of nonfiction a week, and we'll continue practicing this craft throughout the year.  If you find an article that's pertinent to what we are studying (or just plain interesting) please send it to school with your child.  Below is an example of "marginalia".

Click here for more examples of today's marginalia.

Homework for tonight is to:
1.  Read for 30 minutes and fill out the new reading log.

2.  Fourth grade math is to choose one number (400, 500, 600, etc...) and spend 15 minutes writing factors of the chosen number on this sheet.  It's okay if your child does not get all of the factors. If they finish one number, they can try another.

     Fifth grade math page.

3.  Spelling