Discovering in the Rain

Readers Workshop: The past few weeks in readers workshop we have been working on Author studies. Our class choose to read books written by Peter Reynolds. We compared characters, setting, problems, solutions and how the characters felt. We also took a look at how the characters feelings changed through out the story. We learned more about Peter Reynolds: like how he is a Twin, how he has always loved to draw, and how he runs his own production buisness. Ask you child what their favorite book was, what was a problem and solution in the sory, and how did the character in the story change?

Writers Workshop: To go along with our readers workshop unit students wrote book reviews. Students learned about how to write a summary, just a little information about the book. They also learned to rate and recommend books. Students wrote their feelings and reasons why they recommended a particular Peter Reynolds book. On Friday we met up with all the K/1 classrooms to read other book reviews. Students read book reviews about Mo Williams books, Kevin Henkes, and Ezra Keats.

Geography: Students learned a lot of new information about Russia these past two weeks. We learned about the Red Square and they painted their own version of the St. Basil's Cathedral. We also learned about the famous Russian Ballet and the dancer, Mikhail Baryshnikov. Some students had to label the rivers, lakes, seas, mountians, and pensiulas in Russia. We painted our own verison of a famous Kadinsky work while listen to music by the famous Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Ask your child what they found most interesting about studying Russia

Science:

We've really jumped into our new science unit organisms. Students have so far invesitgated and observed the inside of a lima bean, woodland plants, mosss, duckweed, elodea, and planted their own seed. Over the next few weeks we will continue to think about what does a living organism need to grow? We will also take a closer look at cloud fish and snails. As new plants are growing for spring ask your child if they have any ideas about what they think living organisms need to survive.

Roots of Empathy: This week baby Sam came to visit. He has grown so much!!! We learned about Communication. How babies communicate. What are some ways to positively engage a baby and foster language development How do we recognize the baby's temperament. Why it is important torespond to a baby's efforts to communicate. How we can connect to one another and the baby. Understand more about how a baby develops and learns.