The Learning Chronicles

Kindergarteners are learning about measurement with various units. Encourage them to explore measurement at home by using unconventional units, like paper clips or sticky notes, to measure different objects. This not only introduces them to non-standard units of measurement but also sparks creativity and a deeper understanding of the concept.

First Graders had a Holidays celebration in the auditorium with parents and teachers that had graciously volunteered to lead small group discussions, sharing insights and traditions related to holidays such as Christmas, Hanukkah, Diwali, Kwanzaa, and more. Students had the opportunity to rotate between these informative sessions, gaining a broader understanding of the diverse celebrations within our community.

In third grade, students have been enjoying a yearlong science unit all about birds. Each third grade class enjoyed a lesson in the auditorium with Audubon naturalist Susannah Elliott to learn about adaptations. A highlight of the lesson was meeting Tufty, an eastern screech owl. One of Tufty’s adaptations is his brown feathers. This helps to keep him camouflaged as he hunts.

In fourth grade science, students put on their engineering hats to collaboratively design innovative plant packages. Last month, students planted mung beans with controlled and variable conditions. Students are using these plants to test their plant packages by sending their creations to the superintendent. Students are anxiously waiting for the results!

Fifth graders learned about what a watershed is and why they are so crucial to communities. Students were able to engage in a hands-on activity led by the Broadmoor program to better understand how watersheds function and their importance.

First graders were able to show off their interpretive listening skills by sorting and sequencing parts of a short story called, “El Árbol Furioso”. They finished off our mini unit by communicating their favorite part of the story. We wrapped up the year with conversations about different celebrations around the world. We discussed the tradition of Las Posadas, a Christmas tradition in Mexico. ¡Felices Fiestas!

Third graders loved the opportunity to share which school subjects they like as we completed our discussion about “La Escuela” (School). In addition, we engaged in activities to review numbers 1-100 as we prepare to work on telling time. Ask your student to count by 10’s to 100. Finally, we welcomed winter by discussing how you make a snowman, and even made a few in class. 😉

Fifth graders were excited to wrap up our Mania Musical-Tournament of songs from the Spanish speaking world. Ask them to tell you which country/song won and a bit about it in Español. We also completed our unit on “La Familia”. Students utilized the family tree of the Madrigal Family from Disney’s “Encanto” to describe how characters are related. We ended the year by welcoming winter with a game of Bingo and creation of some unique snowpeople.

First graders continue to work on sequencing algorithms and programming loops through collaboration! Each group has an assigned job in which they alternate being either the driver or the navigator. Student navigators have done a wonderful job using words to describe to their (driver) partner how to move about the puzzle blocks. The driver is the only person that can move the blocks into place.

Second grade artists have been exploring visual space in their artwork. They have been creating depth in their drawings by overlapping objects. Students were able to explore many different materials, from markers to watercolors to oil pastels, while generating their own, individual themes and concepts. The artists have employed outlines and color variations to create separation between their objects. Students will be applying these skills further in creation of landscapes inspired by Vincent Van Gogh.

Check out the overlapping pumpkins lesson to try out the concept at home.

Many of the students in fifth grade are learning how to use primary sources to explore their geneology. Students brought in family heirlooms, records and photographs to try to learn more about their ancestors. They developed questions to explore what they are curious about and will be conducting an interview to learn even more. They will use their research to discover lessons they can learn and apply to their lives today and will create a poem to summarize what they have learned.