Mr. Chance Teaches Racial Harmony

Your children were mesmerized today by C.’s father, Mr. John Chance, a teacher in the MPI High School. He spoke with them about Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks, and his experiences growing up in Mississippi. We have been reading and discussing a variety of ideas and historical events related to Martin Luther King, Jr., and Rosa Parks. The children surprised Mr. Chance with their knowledge of the Civil War, Freedom Riders, the issues surrounding slavery and discrimination, and the efforts of nonviolent activists to change laws and America. The meaning of his message was very clear when he asked the children to just look around at the many races, skin colors, religions, and cultures in our class. This, he said, was the dream of Martin Luther King, Jr., so many years ago. Be sure to check out the pictures of his visit in our photo gallery.

Please take time to speak with your children about Martin Luther King, Jr., and Rosa Parks. Share your own feelings about discrimination and the importance of racial harmony. Discussions like these will shape their lives and give meaning to the world around them.

Inquiry
We officially finished up our Prehistoric Times Inquiry this week after revisiting our Mind Maps: “What we think we know about Prehistoric Times” and “What we want to know about Prehistoric Times.” We laughed at some of our inaccurate ideas and information when we began and celebrated how much we learned doing our Inquiry. Today, the last of the Prehistoric Times creations went home. I can just see those pterodactyls hanging in some child’s room or a stegosaurus taped to a bedroom wall. They would not part with anything, not even the tiniest creature from the primordial seas on our Timeline of Life. It was a special unit of study for us all!

We have been talking a lot about the earth, maps, and globes, and will officially begin our Geography Inquiry tomorrow. I have found some great interactive sites to use on the Smart Board. The children will actually be able to manipulate and rotate the continents in order to fit them into the outline of Pangaea, the super-continent that existed during dinosaur times. My fiance, Captain John, will be coming in next week to teach the children about compasses, maps, and charts that use a compass rose, and way-finding. The students will make their own compasses and go on a treasure hunt.

We will study land forms, climate, and continents and their inhabitants. If you have anything to share, please, let me know. With so many parents from different ethnicities and countries, you can be sure I will be encouraging you to share your cultures. We love learning from our parents!

Math
We have spent the past week learning to tell time to the hour and half hour. The 2nd Graders will be learning time to the quarter hour and minute in the next few weeks. Please help at home by talking about the time regular family activities occur and how much time it takes to accomplish a task or get somewhere. We are also using the clock to answer story problems like, “If the movie starts at 3:00 and lasts for two hours, what time will it end?” Have fun doing time problems like these while you drive to school!

Today, we had our first math facts timed test on addition problems to 10. This is a starting point for practicing and learning those facts and improving their time. There is no competition between students. They understand that this is about improving their own times, so there are no comparisons. I am always amazed by how much the children love this activity.

Please keep the math fact cards at home and continue to play games and practice with your child. Beginning next week, I will be checking each child to assess their progress. Your help and support is always appreciated!

Reading
Your children are reading up a storm and love sharing their books. Please continue to encourage 15 to 20 minute reading sessions nightly at home.

Next week, I will be sending order forms for Scholastic Books and the directions for “Book Projects.” Book Projects are an opportunity for your child to share a favorite book by dressing as a character, making a poster or diorama, writing a letter to a character, singing a song, or building a model of something in the story. This activity gives the children practice with speaking before an audience, tickles their creativity, and introduces great books to their classmates. Designing and creating Book Projects are a great way for parents to collaborate and have fun with their child.

Writing
The children wrote and illustrated letters to accompany the $100 check for the students at the Cambodian school. We hope to hear from the students via email soon.

Metaphors are beginning to show up in some of the children’s writing, and we are creating a metaphor list on the board. Please share metaphors you find in your reading with the children and talk with them about how they enhance writing. Our first metaphor: "He had a fire in his heart!” from G. C.

On we go!! This semester promises to be another filled with exploration, creative thinking, exciting adventures, and activities that will inspire your children to be lifelong learners. Thank you, parents, for all you do to support the children and me.

Posted on January 11, 2007 4:59 PM | Permalink