It has been an exciting first quarter in Project Arrow! It's hard to believe that conferences are over and Thanksgiving is just around the corner. The time has gone by so quickly!
It was wonderful seeing so many of you at our fall conferences. What a nice opportunity it was for me to meet new families, and visit with many old friends. Although a bit fatigued, I feel exhilerated by the experience. Please feel free to contact me at any time with questions, comments and celebrations. I enjoy hearing from all of you!
All of my PA students are working hard, some just beginning new units of study this month. In second grade we continue to enjoy and interpret literature, with a strong emphasis on figurative language and imagry. A collection of poems, all imspired by the moon, have provided them wonderful examples of metaphors, similes and descriptive writing. Soon they will become writers themselves, as they begin to create their own poetry and practice persuasive writing.
During the past several weeks, the third graders have been busy learning about Ancient Egypt. This unit is designed around the idea that human civilizations develop and sustain themselves as a collection of interdependent systems. The civilization of ancient Egypt forms the central content of the unit, with exploration of systems of agriculture, economics, language, and leadership in this ancient culture. It also provides opportunities for students to broaden their understanding, by comparing the ancient Egyptian civilization with aspects of their own lives and communities.
Having completed the novel The Secret Garden, and completing their story wheels, fourth graders are beginning to explore the ocean. They will be focusing most specifically on whales and will soon choose one type of whale to research. Our classroom will soon become a great place of whale exploration and discovery....and we are especially grateful at this time to have our own mini computer lab!
The Ancient Maya Civilization is the "topic of the day" for our fifth grade PA students. This week they took a close look at Mexico and Central America, and made maps of the Yucatan Peninula. Over the next several weeks they will come to learn a great deal about the Classic Period (300 - 900 AD). It was a time of great artistic and cultural achievement. The Maya developed a complex, hierarchical society divided into classes and professions. We will study government, social structure and beliefs. As they learn about the Ancient Maya culture, they will also learn more about their own, and begin to see commonalities. It is a truly exciting unit of study!
Thank you all once again for all your generous support and encouragement. Your children are amazing!!
"We are all traveling through time. Let us make the future a place we'd want to visit." Stephen Hawking
