Inquiry

It’s Written in the Stars – Observing the Sky:

This week we use our new moon calendars and our sundials to make some observations about the behavior or the sun and moon.  We will make sky journals to keep track of what we see and learn.  Finally, we will investigate how the Earth and Moon move in our solar system.

Math

Time:

We will spend much of this week playing games related to time, focusing on telling time to the nearest minute.  For those ready for a challenge, we will also investigate half and quarter hours. 

Reading

Determining Importance in Nonfiction:

Last week we explored how fiction and nonfiction are different.  This week we focus on how we can use nonfiction to learn new things as well as the identifying and using different text elements.

Writing

Contest Stories:

Last week in Writer’s Workshop, we focused on small moments to create detailed stories.  This week, we will re-visit the writer’s contest and start writing awesome stories to enter!

Word Study

Compound Words:

We continue our investigation of compound words, playing word study games.

Homework

Monday

Writing Small Moments and Story Ideas:

Brainstorm three ideas of stories you would be excited to write!  Think of one small moment that will be a part of your story – a specific event that will happen to one of your characters.    Bring in these big ideas so we can fill in the details together!

Tuesday

No Water Day:

Use the guide sheet to keep track of the amount of water used at home.  You will be counting the number of glasses of water, times the dishwasher is used, showers or baths used, toilet flushes, etc..

Wednesday

Observe the Night Sky:

Use the guide sheet to help you record your observations of the night sky.

Thursday

Reading – Nonfiction Hunt:

Look in your home for three nonfiction books.  Use the guide sheet to keep track of their titles as well as different text elements you find.

Current Events Schedule (in alphabetical order)

Check out our collection of kid-friendly news resources.

2/28 Tuesday - Alexis

2/29 Wednesday - Bryce

3/1 Thursday - Enzio

3/2 Friday – Gabe

3/5 Monday – Joaquin

3/6 Tuesday – Kaya

3/7 Wednesday – Kokwe

3/8 Thursday – Porfirio

3/9 Friday – Sophie

3/12 Monday – Tasso

3/13 Tuesday - William

Announcements

Tuesday is “No Water Day” at Alta Vista School

On this day we honor water as a precious resource as a community.  The Magical Minds will participate in the following activities designed to increase awareness of the value of water as well as the privilege of having easy access to clean, drinkable water.

1. The water fountain at the top of the stairs will be shut down.  

2. Students wishing to have a drink of water will, get a bucket from the end of the hallway by the JK room and carry the bucket to the area just outside the office.  A water cooler and small Dixie cups will available for them to use for drinking water.  Once they finish drinking water, they will return their bucket to the end of the hall and return to class.

3. There will be a tally sheet in the bathroom.  Students should make a tally mark every time the toilet is flushed (both the upstairs toilet and those downstairs).

Sharing (Tuesdays)

Each week one child shares a Passion Project.  Passion Projects are MADE BY the Magical Minds and are about something they care about, something that is important to them.  This week Kokwe will share at Tuesday’s class meeting.  Alexis will also share her travel journal from her trip to India.