Observational Drawings

For the science portion of our exploration of paper, students observed and then drew Peony. They made very careful drawings using both pencils and colored pencils, capturing the fine details of the dwarf papyrus plant. There were scientific discussions about the different parts of the plant, the environment in which the larger variety grows, and how we can take care of Peony.

The Finished Results

Below are the finished observational drawings which can also be seen on the bulletin board outside our classroom. We think that students captured the different parts of the plant including the stems, blooms, and the pot which it is going to be transplanted into, really well.

Making Papyrus Paper

This week, we also started making our own papyrus paper. We took thin strips of papyrus, soaked them in water for several hours, then placed them into plastic bins. Using a brayer, students then had to use their muscles and roll and press the water out of the strips. When they were finished getting as much water out as they could, the strips of papyrus were placed back into the water. We will repeat this step four more times before we are ready to complete the paper making process.

A quick update, Acera will be celebrating Spirit Day on Tuesday, October 31st and NOT October 30th as previously noted. Please remember not to send any candy into school. Happy Weekend!

Jen and Lisa

Theme

Last week, we finished up visiting the last three core classrooms to read our story called “Emily’s Idea” and to ask students if they would also help us by participating in making paper doll chains to add to our ever-increasing paper doll chain, that has started up around the Commons. Next time you are in the building, take a look and see the wonderful sense of community that is being displayed. We love it!

Art

Ms. Camila has also been incorporating paper into her weekly art exploration with our students.

Math

We have been doing explorations on place value, rolling, writing, making, and building large numbers. We have begun to add three and four digit numbers, with and without regrouping.

Spirit Day: October 31st!!

Morning Messages

Every morning, around half past nine, we play our “Hello, Today” song and students head to the meeting area. As the song is playing, Ms. Jen or Ms. Lisa begin to write the morning message, and students sit quietly observing what is being written. We are modeling conventions of print, such as using capitalization at the beginning of a sentence and punctuation at the end. This week, we had a silly meeting where Ms. Jen wrote the message without finger spacing. The students had a good laugh and did remarkably well decoding the message! This week, we have had delightful morning messages written by students and shared at our meeting. It is so lovely to see how quickly the schedule of the day has been internalized and by the creativity of students to write their own messages to share.

Place Value: Making Big Numbers with Cards and Blocks

This week, the Math Group has been spending some time on reviewing the tens placement and learning the hundreds and thousands placements. We have started making numbers in the thousands for Pica, Ferme, Nada and the latter part of the week has been making big numbers using wooden cards and unit blocks.

Fall Spirit Day

On Monday the 30th, children are invited to come to school wearing anything that they feel celebrates their Fall Spirit! This might mean coming to school in cozy pajamas, a costume, or any other creative interpretation of the season….basically whatever gives them joy, as long as they can function in the classroom, is safe for the specials they have that day (including woodshop, etc!) is appropriate for a K-11 setting and not scary, gruesome, or involving weapons. Before math, we will encourage kids to change out of any clothing that makes it difficult for them to focus on the learning. As always, PLEASE DON’T send children to school with candy (even in lunches) – Thank you in advance!!!

Warmest Regards,

Jen & Lisa