Paper Theme

This week, we started exploring our theme of “Paper.” We read a lovely book called “Emily’s Idea” by Christine Evans, about a little girl who had a small idea that becomes a big one. She decorates paper chain dolls and initially, she decorates her home, but then it extends out to her community and then they end up all over the world, showing how different they are but really, all the same. Students got some great fine-motor work using small scissors to cut out their paper dolls. It was a heavy card stock and took quite a bit of effort. Then, using only paper and glue, they made their clothing, facial features, and hair. There were some very creative ways of making eyes and embellishments on their clothing and accessories. We are planning on visiting all the classrooms at Acera and having everyone participate in making a paper chain of dolls that we will display throughout Acera as a way to engage in and continue building our sense of community.

Math Groups

This week, we have been reviewing adding and subtracting numbers in the tens. Our goal is to increase automaticity before we move onto hundreds and thousands. Using glass bead stairs – red represents one, green represents two, etc., up to ten, we scaffolded the activity so that students worked on discovering as many ways as they could, to make the number ten. They drew the bead stairs and wrote out the number sentence that corresponded, practicing and ensuring that the number directionality was correct. As a challenge, students created their own sums using the bead stairs then writing the addition or subtraction number sentences. We also made two wooden tile memory games, one addition and one subtraction, in which the students flip two tiles and if they combine to make ten they earn the tiles and another turn. It has been very well received and we are helping the students boost memory as to not rely on using their counting fingers.

Vocabulary Sorts

Thursday is Vocabulary day where students can select a vocabulary sort activity. They first sort the pictures with words, then match the pictures, and then match the words. When they are done, students can get a strip of lined paper and write out all the words in their sort. This helps to reinforce words they do know, offers exposure to new ones, as well as writing practice for making their talls, smalls, and tails on their letters.

Lunch and Snack

Lunch and snack is a wonderful time for friendships between new and old students. There has been many a funny conversation, or sharing of stories and these kids really enjoy each other’s company. It’s so lovely to watch all the social connections being made.

Specialist

This week, we got to have our first meetings with Ms. Alison, our engineering and technology specialist, and Ms. Camila, our art specialist. In keeping with our exploration of “Paper”, students experimented with designing and building structural columns using paper and tape with Ms. Alison. In art, they are creating landscapes using paper. Do you see a theme??

Field Trip

We had a wonderful time on our field trip to Honeypot Hill Orchards and the weather was fabulous! After a visit to the farm animals, a wander through the pumpkins, and a clamber over the tractor, we had a snack, and headed for the hay ride to pick some apples. This year, we picked Ruby Mac and they were delicious! Everyone did a fine job of reaching up and twisting the apples to get them out of the tree. We took a fast, bumpy and bouncy hay ride back to the parking lot and headed back to Acera for lunch. We are so appreciative of all the efforts by Pengpeng, Ying, and Rosa to coordinate and plan for such a fun day. And, a big thank you to Amanda, Dave, Lipin, Peter, and Rosa for chaperoning. Enjoy your apples and your weekend!