Dear Families,
What a quick week since the last newsletter! With the unexpected half-day on Friday and holiday on Monday, the kids had a nice long weekend. Here's a run down of what's going on in the classroom.
Reading: We are engaged in a novel study of the book Tiger Rising with Mr. Foote's class. We are using this short, but powerful, novel to teach into rich literature discussions, internal dialogue while reading to support comprehension, using the text to support our inferences, and identifying metaphors. It really is a wonderful book and sharing this experienced with Mr. Foote's class has been a lot of fun. Mr. Foote and I are going to work throughout the year to get our kids together often in hopes of building new friendships.
Writing: We are continuing our study of cursive. We have just begun the capital letters.
Math: We recently launched an inquiry in multiplication. Much of our work is designed to help the kids create conceptual knowledge of this topic. This entails seeing the relationship between multiplication and addition as well as viewing multiplication as equal sets. This week we will also be working to memorize our first three time tables - 2s, 5s, and 10s.
Science: We are exploring environments and habitats such as fresh water, salt water, grasslands, deserts, forests. rain forests, and the frozen tundra. Within each of these, the kids are researching the ways in which the basics needs of animals are met.
Last week I posted a few dates for you to be aware of. One of these was for our class camping trip. Since coming to CFI eight years ago, I have planned a family camping trip at Sesqui for each of my loops. The kids always have a great time being with one another, playing games, stomping through the woods, and sleeping in a tent. Much more detailed info will come later but here are a few things you may be interested to know...
1. The date is Saturday, October 22nd. I chose this date for two reasons. The first is that Clemson has no football game that day and the Gamecocks are taking a break from SEC play to take on UMass. I know a number of families have football tickets for one of these two teams and was hoping to fit this trip within your schedules. The other reason for selecting this date is that we can reserve all five scout sites which will mean there are no other people camping around us that night. We'll have a huge area all to ourselves.
2. We will be camping in a camp area. This is different than the campground that has gravel roads and parking right next to the tent site. We are more secluded in the woods (but just barely). We will be able to drive in to the site, unload our stuff, then park in the public lot near the playground and ranger station. From there it is about a five minute walk back to the campsite, accessing a trail near the ranger station.
3. We'll plan to show up around 4:00 and each family can set up their tent. If you do not have one you could borrow one from family or friends. I also have a few extras I'm happy to share. Of course, you could also stay until around 9:00 that night and select to go home (foregoing the camping aspect) should you wish. Please do whatever makes your family most happy and comfortable.
4. Dinner will be picnic style. Please bring blankets and a cooler of food and beverages for your family. The first year or two I tried planning a buffet-style dinner but it was quite complicated with so many families. I've since decided to simplify!
5. The kids will run around and play from 4:00 until around 6:30. At that point I'll ask them to help search for firewood then take them on a night hike around the lake. We'll wait until dusk to leave. The hike is about two miles and it gets pretty dark. However, they are surrounded by about 40 people so it's really not scary in any way. It's a great way to wear them out just a bit. When we return from the hike we'll enjoy a bonfire, sing a few songs, and (if the kids are interested) have a small talent show. Around 10:00 you may want to have the kids begin brushing their teeth and transitioning into your tents. The next morning, we'll pack up and go.
6. Cost for the trip will probably be around $5 per person. As many or as few of your family members interested in coming are welcome.
As I mentioned above, more detailed information will be provided as we get closer to the trip. It really is so much fun and something many of the kids will list as their favorite memory come next Spring when we reflect back on second and third grade. I hope you can make it!
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