"The stripped and shapely
Maple grieves
The ghosts of her
Departed leaves.
The ground is hard,
As hard as stone.
The year is old,
The birds are flown.
And yet the world,
In its distress,
Displays a certain
Loveliness"
- John Updike, A Child's Calendar
Welcome fall, in full “bloom!” There is no mistaking whether the weather is changing now that we are in November. The telltale winter chill is present in the morning’s silvery glow and in the swirling shapes that our breath makes in the air in front of our faces outdoors. Winter is restlessly, teasing right around the corner….
Missing the week, reluctantly ill, it is hard to believe that we are already welcoming in the month of November, in our 39th day of school and well into the first half of our first semester. This month is short, but with much to look forward to and sure to be sweet.
Last week we officially began our backyard storyline. The class brainstormed “what a backyard might be like” which included who might live there and what might be there as well as what a backyard might be used for. Then, in groups of three and four, the Tree Swallows began working on “birds-eye-view” maps of an “ideal” backyard. This week students will present/share the map of their home backyard and complete their collaborative “backyards” in anticipation and preparation for planning and building our classroom backyard frieze. This is the setting for the story. Our characters will emerge as we explore “what lives in the backyard” through upcoming field investigations, classroom discussions and literature share. Students will investigate mini beast classification, needs and habitat in character creation. “Episodes” in our story will provide the opportunity and the motivation to explore insect structure, adaptation and defense, and insect, plant and human interdependence.
Oh, Buddy:
The Tree swallows and the Red-Tailed Hawks have completed their collaborative photography book. With a photographic eye toward symmetry, texture and patterns, the buddies chose representative subjects and snapped photos, then with a critical eye, selected three to include in the book. Using Tana Hoban’s book, “Look Again” as inspiration, the tree swallows created riddles to introduce each photograph. Watch for an order form! This book will be presented during our next Learning Celebrations too.
The Peace Buddies (Kestrels in Level 2 and the Tree Swallows) have filmed their PSA (public service announcements) for the Pennies for Peace project. Over the last several weeks, we have explored and compared Pakistan culture, the relative value of a dollar and created map flip books of “Where in the world we live.” This provided the foundation and motivation for the fundraising project, Pennies for Peace.
The Pennies for Peace service-learning program began at Westside Elementary School in River Fall, WI in 1994, when students, through their own initiative, raised 62,340 pennies to help Greg build his first school in Pakistan. The Pennies for Peace program is designed to help students broaden their cultural horizons and learn about their capacities as philanthropists. It educates students about the world beyond their experience and shows them that they can make a positive impact on a global scale, one penny at a time. Students learn the rewards of sharing and working together to bring hope and education opportunities to the children in Pakistan and Afghanistan. While a penny is virtually worthless, in impoverished countries a penny buys a pencil and opens the door to literacy.
Next week the “buddies” will present and share their PSA to a FGCS classroom, local business or perhaps another Forest grove school (we are checking in on this idea). The service-project will run through several months. More news soon…
We can’t “leaf” the Merlins out… Every other week we meet with our literacy buddies, the Merlin class. This is a Level 2 (grades 4,5,6) partnership that began last year, when this classroom and all its’ students were new to the school.
The buddies have written pen pal letters, created reading interest inventory “glyphs” and have practiced oral reading with Halloween Readers’ Theater scripts. Our latest project is both inspired by the season and by a classroom book, Leaf Man, by Lois Ehlert: Collaborative leaf-picture stories. In preparation for this project, the Tree Swallows went on a leaf-collecting walk last week. The next day, we gathered with our Merlin buddies to illustrate original stories using just leaves. The buddies will meet next week to begin composing their stories.
Cedar Update:
In grade-level math this month we have begun exploring measurement: informal and standard units (inches, feet and yards and time) and transitivity (if object A is longer than object B and object B is longer than object C, then object A is longer than object C). We will soon begin the first of two applied math units, which integrate math, scientific research, and experimental design: Hungry Ants Stories.
Your Future Looks Bright:
The other Level 1 teachers and I have been discussing the format of our Second Annual Family Feast Celebration. This event is set to occur right before Winter Break and will include presentations by Level one students. The students will also prepare a culinary “delight” (yet to be named) for your enjoyment. We will have more information coming soon.
Art Happenings from Teresa
Hello from the art room! The Swallows are currently binding sketchbooks by re-using old floppy disks that I picked up from one of my favorite stores called SCRAP (School and Community Reuse Action Project). Soon, we will be studying the Impressionists and creating plein-air paintings. We will also continue to work on our drawing skills by focusing on perspective and value.
At this time of year, I like to encourage students to admire the change happening around them. I hope that your Swallow will be inspired by the brilliant shapes, colors and textures of Fall.
Out and Abouts:
November 18th The Tree Swallows will have their fist visit this year to a nearby wetland that we have dubbed, “Ash Street Field.” FGCS in general and our class in particular established a stewardship role for this area during our fist year. In a collaborative service-project with Metro, the Tree Swallows planted native trees, helped establish a walking trail and began to develop a sense of responsibility and ownership. This year, the Tree Swallow class will again become stewards of Ash Street. Through scientific observation, field study and research, the students will become “experts” in order to create a public information share (a kiosk, perhaps) about what grows and lives in this local, public, green space. This initial visit will give us an opportunity to look closely (square of life) and develop a sense of place (recording impressions and observations in a field journal).
Goals:
Check out the Goal Garden in the Level 1 hallway! Students are taking their personal semester goals very seriously. Check in with your child about their goals. Knowing that you are thinking about them and are there to help will make all the difference. Please let me know if you have questions or need additional resources to help your child feel successful.
Progress Reports: We will check in on teacher/parent set goals at the end of this month. Progress reports will be coming home to le you know if we are on the right track or if we need to check in about something.
PTO Event:
This December 5th is the Light Parade in Forest Grove. Thanks to the PTO, FGCS will participate in the parade this year. The theme is “Night of Traditions” and each classroom and all families are invited to participate and/or help plan. The PTO has asked yours truly to be “Lady Winter Solstice.” I said, “As long as I have a scepter…” ☺ Watch for more info coming soon….
The Night of Traditions will be December 10th (watch for times) and will feature crafts, activities and information about a variety of winter traditions. This night will also feature the winter book fair, give you a chance to socialize with other FGCS families and have fun.
Questions comments and/or compliments? Call or email.
Rachel Weil
