Grade 1-2

Families:

We have been very busy with end-of-the-year events and projects. Our non-fiction, African Mammal, research projects are complete and ready to exhibit. This project involved learning to navigate a non-fiction text, including an index and table of contents. They had to understand the difference between fact and opinion. They learned characteristics and attributes of all mammals. There were lots of vocabulary words: invertebrate, vertebrate, habitat, endothermic, mammary glands, and “born alive”. Each student created a miniature habitat of their mammal and wrote a six page report. The Mammal Museum is the culminating event to celebrate all that they have learned.

From now until the end of the year each student will write a fiction story using their mammal as a main character. It is a Home-Adventure-Home story that is fiction but will incorporate some of the facts they know about their mammal and other mammals that they learned about from their peers. It is great fun for them to be able to give the mammal a name and personality. It is personification at its best!

In math we started our final unit on Measurement. We began with weight. They learned how to use a balance scale. We talked about standard and non-standard
measures. We compared kilograms to pounds. We pretended that we had to open a candy store. Partners measured various pieces of candy in grams. Then they ordered them by weight and decided that the heaviest candy would cost the most. Then they had to price the candy. It was a very motivating activity, as you can imagine. Next week we will learn length, width, height, and circumference.

There are nine days left of school. After Memorial Weekend we will have Move Up Lunch. The kindergartners will join us and Mrs. Allentuck and I will talk about next year, give them a tour and share our vision for the space next year. Then we will have lunch together. I expect it to be a reassuring experience for everyone. Wednesday is Field Day, which means they need to be prepared to play outside most of the day. Friday is the Lower School Spring Concert. I hope to see you there.

These children have come a long way since the first day of school in September. I am so very proud of them and you should be too!

Happy Birthday Henry!

Remember those who have given their lives for our country.

Fondly,
Ms. Milani

Families,

We have had the great pleasure of having two different guests who have shared their expertise and experiences in Ghana.

Barbara, Max’s mom, came in to explain the significance of the Djembe drum in African culture. She brought a drum in and explained how it was crafted and by whom. We learned how important the drum is to communicate and how that piece of culture traveled to the Americas. Much of our music history began with the beats and rhythms of the African drum. Max was a great assistant. Thank you, Barbara!

Annie Ryder came in to show us pictures of the children that she takes care of in Ghana. We learned about their schools and the games they like to play. The boys love to play soccer. The women carry their babies swaddled on their backs and at the same time carry large pots of food or water on their heads. The men weave Kente cloth. When children are born they are given a name that corresponds with the day of the week that they were born. She was able to give each student their own Ghanian name. Ask your child what his or her name is! In the end we were dancing together in a big circle to the music of a contemporary African artist. Thank you, Annie!

Last week we were fairly busy with the play but we did manage to learn to add double digit numbers. This week we will learn to subtract double digit numbers. We work with base ten blocks for several lessons before we start computing on paper. Understanding the concept of place value is important to be able to manage the skills in computation. The children feel very accomplished when they can solve those problems accurately.

Bravo to all your children for a job well done in the performance of “The Lorax.” The children had to learn to be patient, work together, wait, practice, and then overcome their fears. They appeared to be very confident and poised on stage. Confidence is the key to success. Producing a play is ambitious but the rewards are tremendous. Thank you to the families who provided drinks and cookies for the reception. They were very well received and delicious!

We start our research projects tomorrow. Each child will select an African mammal to study. Expect to help your child read and take notes. Directions will be in their book bags.

Wednesday is Lunch Bunch and Friday is Pizza Day!

Enjoy the warmth of the sun.

Fondly,
Ms. Milani

Families,

The children arrived from vacation rested, healthy, and happy. We have started rehearsing our play “The Lorax” on the stage in Furey. We have limited time in the space but have managed to block half of the play at this point. Every character has had an opportunity to be on the stage. They are learning to remember lines, learn the choreography, and music. They are becoming familiar with stage left, stage right, and how to project out into the audience. They are learning to wait their turn and watch quietly as other actors rehearse. It is an exciting adventure. There are many smiling faces during our time together.

The students learned fractions as equal parts of a whole, as well as a part of a set. They learned 1/4, 1/3, and 1/2. They made fraction mobiles, which are displayed in our classroom. We played Pizza Fractions and Fraction Bingo. We often examine our snacks to see if our food is divided into fractions. Oranges are the best example of equal parts. We are now studying the 100 chart and all the patterns in our number system. This is our introduction to place value. The children need to learn that where a number is placed reflects the value of that number (21 is very different than 12). This is a tricky concept but it is important in order to develop skills in double or triple digit math. As part of our study of 100, the children created a “100 Signs of Spring” mural. We figured out that each child (11 that day) had to add 9 items to the mural to make 99. I added the left over 1 item. This math/art project is also on display in the classroom. We are so happy that spring has arrived!

Almost everyone has published a “How To” book. Each child selected one draft, which I published, and then he/she was asked to illustrated it. Then they made covers that represent the topic. The books are on the book shelf for everyone to read. We have many topic: brushing teeth, kayaking, building snowmen, taking care of dogs, skiing, and making pizza. Feel free to come in and take a look. You may learn how to do something new!

We have started learning about Africa in general.This will lead to our study of Ghana. I hope to have special guests come in who have traveled to Ghana. We will also learn some African dances and maybe cook some special foods. In art the children will make printed cloth similar to prints made in Ghana. This study will blossom into our research of African mammals in May.

There is no school on Friday, April 18th or Monday, April 21st. Enjoy the long weekend.

Special thanks to Stephanie, April, and Elizabeth for a delicious Lunch Bunch.

Fondly,
Ms. Milani