Learning New Skills and Using Real Tools

The last two weeks the children in LE have been becoming (re)acquainted with tools of all kinds in the classroom and throughout adventures in Art and Wood Working. We demonstrate the careful use of classroom tools and materials, and over the last 14 days children have painted with watercolors and tempera paint, the careful way to build and steps in  block structure demolition, and how to use applications on the iPad to reinforce knowledge acquired from the use of manipulatives.

Creativity Morning

After two introduction sessions,  your child made Creativity Morning choices. This past Wednesday we started the day in the LE classroom, and at 9:00am the students traveled to Architecture, SEEDS, Yoga & Free Build, Circus & Drumming, and Wood Shop. I was able to be with the children during the snack and recess transition, and the longer blocks of time allow our LE kids to experience the morning with depth.

Morning Work

Each morning the LE students make choices from a widening group of literacy-related activities from letter and word sorts (discriminating between letters, letter sounds, and letter combinations), handwriting on dry erase boards, handwriting books, and on the iPad, and metal insets which are designed to build sequencing and coordination of movement.

Math

Our small groups have been focusing on base 10 blocks, adding and subtracting numbers 1-10, and 1 to 100, multiplication number stories, dice games, and measuring. Children are also noticing patterns in numbers, particuarly when they are using the 100 grid. We are beginning to differentiate the flexible groupings based on interest, ability, small motor skills, and comprehension.

LE Schedule 2018

We have a wonderful schedule again this year, giving the youngest students at Acera a balance of work/play, practice/mastery, exploration/discovery. Your children have been doing so much in the last 13 days, and that can explain the tired behavior at the end of the day. “My Mom has snack in the car at pick-up” was declared at the end of the day this week. A little susitnance might be needed on the way home to avoid the before-dinner-melt downs that can occur before dinner/bath/book/bedtime.

Listening Conferences

This Friday, September 21st, the whole school will be closed for Parent/Teacher Listening Conferences. This is time set aside at the beginning of each year to hear about your hopes and wishes for your child’s year ahead both academically and socially.

It is a wonderful opportunity to catch-up on your child’s experiences over the summer, share important aspects of your family life together, and for me to ask questions about your child’s overall development. You can expect all kinds of questions with the aim of gleaning as much knowledge I can about your child in the short time allotted.

My questions could include:

• How was your summer?
• What are your child’s current interests?
• Are there any current stresses in your home life such as parent travel, sibling relationships, schedules, etc?
• How has the start of the year been for your child, and what has your child communicated?
• What are your worries, hopes and wishes for the year?
• How is your child’s overall health/eating/sleeping?
• What are your child’s current strengths and challenges?
• What are the reading/technology/writing/math habits at home?
• How do you like to hear about your child’s life at school or is the LE BLOG helpful?

Of course, you may ask any questions that you like about the LE classroom and your child’s experiences thus far. We are just in the process of getting (re)acquainted and setting classroom norms, but each day brings exciting events! I suggest writing your most burning questions down prior to the conference to make sure that you leave our meeting with the information that you need. I have been taking notes to share as well!

The Listening Conferences are also an important part of what I will use to build your child’s Individual Learning Plan. Unlike other schools, Acera creates ILP’s for each child. This living document changes and grows with your child during their years here! It can also be updated during the school year as necessary. You will receive a draft of your child’s ILP in October, and we can also meet at that time to review goals.

LE Listening Conference Schedule 18-19

See you tomorrow!

Jen