I told the children we have less than 5 months left together - and we have lots and lots to accomplish between now and then! Time has been flying – and we’ve been learning new stuff every step of the way. The kids are at an AMAZING point in the school year. They are starting to make connections between all academic areas, they are incredibly independent, and they are HILARIOUS! I laugh all the time at the (inadvertent) one-liners I hear all day!
...UPDATE ON PLANNERS...
WHO WE ARE - HAPPY, HEALTHY KIDS
CENTRAL IDEA: People can learn skills to develop their physical well-being.
LINES OF INQUIRY:
· Developing healthy habits regarding nutrition and exercise
· Skills that impact health
I believe the children are enjoying this planner because a) we've been outside almost every day, b) we've been running, stretching, singing and 'dancing' (?) to the "Hokey Pokey Aerobics" and "The 12 Days of Fitness" daily, and c) we're always on the move!
Our class has made a pact that we will try to make subtle changes in our daily habits to encourage good physical health. February is the 'Schools on the Move' Challenge - and we're motivated to have 100% participation from our class.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS! We are hoping to have as many of our classmates as possible join us for the first 'Healthy Kids Run' on Sunday, May 9. Winners of the 'Schools on the Move' Challenge will be announced and the kids can cheer me on as I finish the Colorado Marathon. I encourage all families to get out and participate in the Healthy Kids run series. My son, James, has completed every run series (8-9 runs each year) since Kindergarten. Now, as a 4th grader, he's determined to run a half-marathon and participate in the PSD Elementary Track Meet.
Next up...WHERE WE ARE IN PLACE AND TIME
CENTRAL IDEA: Communities Develop Over Time
LINES OF INQUIRY:
• a study of a local community
• similarities and differences of two communities
• changes in the natural environment of a community
This planner is all about HISTORY. It's my all-time FAVORITE! Here are some upcoming events to be aware of:
- BOXELDER DAY...February 11
We will reenact life 100 years ago in a one-room schoolhouse. Children will have the opportunity to do the 3 R's - Reading (from McGuffy Readers), 'Riting (calligraphy & penmanship), and 'Rithmetic (lots of ROTE memorization). We will learn about the structure of the school day - as well as the games children played. Children will also be invited to dress in time-period fashion. It should be a hoot!
- CITY MODEL PROJECT...late February
Once we get back into our history planner, the children will have a month to create a city model project. They will be required to work on Standard 5: Research - with a presentation to follow. Once the city models are complete, we will plat out the City of Fort Collins on our classroom floor and use our mapping skills to lay them out.
- SURPRISE HISTORY FINALE...first part of April
As our culminating activity for our history planner, the children will present a finale of instrumental characters and events in Fort Collins' history. It will be a compilation of Fort Collins' trivia and catchy tunes. I'm working on the logistics in my head. I will have some crazy idea, I'm sure! We are aiming to present our finale to you by the FIRST PART OF APRIL. (We have lots to learn and prepare between now and then!) If you're planning any vacations for that time of year, please let me know so I can work diligently to plan this event when all children will be at school.
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