Like all good things, the first week of school flew by!

Your kids began learning classroom and school expectations, participated in team building activities and had their first lessons in math.  We read stories about the first day of school around the world (It’s Back to School We Go), the importance of being kind (Each Kindness), and a retelling of Booker T. Washington’s first experience with reading (More Than Anything Else).   Each of these books sparked writing and discussions about family and cultural traditions, the consequences of our actions (both good and bad) and the importance of education.

We kick started our studies of the Universe by reading a version of the Greek Myth of Icarus called Icarus at The Edge of Time.   After the story and discussion, students worked in small groups to order objects in the Universe from smallest to largest.  This group’s ability to explain their thinking backed up with evidence is amazing!  Ms. Kari and I feel blessed with this class full of thinkers.

Your child should have brought home their planner each day this week as well as a weekly work evaluation on Friday.  Please make sure you are reviewing and signing planners daily and reviewing and signing the work evaluations on Friday.  Reviewing planners and evaluations is a  great way to begin a conversation with your child about their work in the classroom.  You will begin to see their planners fill up as we dive into more work each week.  By mid-September your child should have quite a bit of work for you to chat with them about.

Thank you all for getting your child to school on time each day.   Work begins as soon as your child walks into the classroom, and lessons often start promptly after the bell rings.   Being on time allows your child to participate fully in each day’s activities.

Finally, our first class field trip is on Friday, September 21.  We are going to The Freedom’s Light Festival, a celebration of the Constitution.  I will reach out to you all with carpool needs within the next week and permission slips will go home after Labor Day.