This week was full of excitement. We celebrated Leila's birthday, made fruit smoothies with Olivia's mom, hosted an admissions visitor, and began writing in our pioneer journals. Our ladybugs, painted lady butterflies and mystery insects also emerged from their chrysalids and our amaryllis flowers finally began to bloom.
Because the weather was beautiful yesterday, we were able to set the ladybugs free in Jackson Park after our picnic lunch. The children are convinced that the mystery insects are moths and now they have some more "evidence" to support their beliefs. We read a book comparing the differences and similarities between butterflies and moths. Look at the photo and see if you can tell - butterfly or moth? Here are some things we learned:
Because the weather was beautiful yesterday, we were able to set the ladybugs free in Jackson Park after our picnic lunch. The children are convinced that the mystery insects are moths and now they have some more "evidence" to support their beliefs. We read a book comparing the differences and similarities between butterflies and moths. Look at the photo and see if you can tell - butterfly or moth? Here are some things we learned:
BUTTERFLIES
| MOTHS
|
MATH
This week we introduced fractions. We talked about equal groups, wholes and parts, and conceptually, the children were introduced to division as they divided shapes into equal parts. In second grade, we begin to explore fractions and do not expect mastery. More work will be done with fractions in third grade. A fraction activity involving quilt blocks will be included in our Pioneer Study next week.
PIONEER COSTUMES
We hope that you have had time to think about a pioneer costume for you child. We would like all children to bring their costumes to school on Monday for our first Pioneer Day! They as mentioned in previous newsletters, we have bonnets for girls to borrow and will have some straw hats and suspenders for the boys. Again, most items can be found at home. Be creative! Thank you for your cooperation. We'd like these clothing items to be left at school so we can dress up a few times before the end of the year. Be sure your child has other school clothes to change into.
Girls: Simple, long sleeved dresses/skirts, straw sun hats or bonnets, aprons
Boys: Long shorts (khaki or a dark, solid color - not athletic pants!), dark black or blue pants or jeans, button-up long sleeve shirts in solid or plaid, bandanas
PIONEER STUDY
We have been reading a lot about the pioneers and how they prepared for their 5 month journey on the Oregon Trail. Each child has chosen a pioneer name, a family surname, and have created their pioneer families (4-6 people and maybe one dog or cat). The children began writing in the hard-covered, antiqued, monogrammed journals that look quite authentic Our first entry was dated May 1, 1853 and the children wrote about getting ready to leave for the "jumping-off spot" Independence, MO. They wrote about how they felt about leaving, selling possessions, saying goodbye to family and friends who were not going, and descrining reasons for going to Oregon (free square mile of rich farmland, clean mountain air, having more opportunities for a better life, etc.). The children have started their next entries - arriving in the bustling town of Independence, Missouri, buying provisions, gathering with their wagon train and meeting their guides - Captain Harrison and Captain Hamilton. The children are so engaged in this study and it's been wonderful to see them all focused on writing and eager to do each new entry! Be sure to ask you favorite pioneer about his/her journal.
Enjoy the weekend!
This week we introduced fractions. We talked about equal groups, wholes and parts, and conceptually, the children were introduced to division as they divided shapes into equal parts. In second grade, we begin to explore fractions and do not expect mastery. More work will be done with fractions in third grade. A fraction activity involving quilt blocks will be included in our Pioneer Study next week.
PIONEER COSTUMES
We hope that you have had time to think about a pioneer costume for you child. We would like all children to bring their costumes to school on Monday for our first Pioneer Day! They as mentioned in previous newsletters, we have bonnets for girls to borrow and will have some straw hats and suspenders for the boys. Again, most items can be found at home. Be creative! Thank you for your cooperation. We'd like these clothing items to be left at school so we can dress up a few times before the end of the year. Be sure your child has other school clothes to change into.
Girls: Simple, long sleeved dresses/skirts, straw sun hats or bonnets, aprons
Boys: Long shorts (khaki or a dark, solid color - not athletic pants!), dark black or blue pants or jeans, button-up long sleeve shirts in solid or plaid, bandanas
PIONEER STUDY
We have been reading a lot about the pioneers and how they prepared for their 5 month journey on the Oregon Trail. Each child has chosen a pioneer name, a family surname, and have created their pioneer families (4-6 people and maybe one dog or cat). The children began writing in the hard-covered, antiqued, monogrammed journals that look quite authentic Our first entry was dated May 1, 1853 and the children wrote about getting ready to leave for the "jumping-off spot" Independence, MO. They wrote about how they felt about leaving, selling possessions, saying goodbye to family and friends who were not going, and descrining reasons for going to Oregon (free square mile of rich farmland, clean mountain air, having more opportunities for a better life, etc.). The children have started their next entries - arriving in the bustling town of Independence, Missouri, buying provisions, gathering with their wagon train and meeting their guides - Captain Harrison and Captain Hamilton. The children are so engaged in this study and it's been wonderful to see them all focused on writing and eager to do each new entry! Be sure to ask you favorite pioneer about his/her journal.
Enjoy the weekend!