Homework:
The upstairs Treehouse teachers have decided to host a homework club! We would like to create a calm environment for students to get help. One of us will be available Mon., Tues. Thurs. and Fri. (not Wed. due to regular meetings). We have middle school students volunteering to help on Tues. and Thurs. Perhaps this time will eliminate struggles before bedtime, confusion about how to do the work and losing or leaving a piece of work in random places! This will take place from 3:35 - 4:30.
Math:
If your student has not memorized their single digit facts (1-10) please encourage them to practice at home. Students will be expected to answer 50 facts in 3 minutes. Ask your student how they did on their third "quiz" of facts. They are graphing their results so they can see their progress. These facts are essential to their success with operations and algebraic thinking.
Social and Emotional Learning:
Students gave and received enough props (catching a classmate in action doing something kind, helpful, safe or fair) to earn all the marbles that fit in the jar! They generated celebration ideas and took a vote. Afterward, we realized that several students votes were not counted (my fault for allowing the process to go on without everyone present). We have agreed to recall the vote and take it again with everyone accounted for in the vote. The final choices are helping others (raising money for a charity or community service, getting a class pet or having a sleepover). They are very excited about all the options!
Reader's workshop:
Literature circles are still taking place. It is so much fun to hear students read out loud, hold mature discussions and ask intriguing questions.
Each student received a packet of questions that will guide them throughout the way. Each group will work at their own pace to complete.
Writer's workshop:
The students are still drafting their realistic fiction stories. The story mountain (intro, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution) has helped students map out their stories. We have worked to scale back the stories so we don't get lost as writers. Students will be sharing stories this week and meeting with writing partners on a more formal level to hear critique.
Northwest Coast People:
In preparation for the feast with the settlers, the hunters went hunting, the women gathered and prepped food, the children planned games and the shaman and storytellers prepared entertainment. The feast with the settlers was a success! It was a friendly experience. The settlers agreed to cut less trees and hunt fewer animals in exchange for accessing the shaman's healing techniques.