Weekly Update - April 15 - 19

                           This information is also found in Walter's Weekly Update

It was an incredibly busy and fruitful week! We did a lot of important project work, hosted some special family members and friends, and saved the world (no big deal).

In math this week, our end-of-the-year unit on probability is proving to be as popular as it always is. This week, we did some exercises collecting data with one die, and found that the probability of getting a certain number on a die is equally likely. Children pondered if getting a 5 of a die was more or less likely than getting a heads when a coin was thrown. 

We also did some ABC probability by making predictions about what letters were most commonly used in the English language. We tested our predictions by collecting data from paragraphs out of books – what picky work! We also wrote some secret messages using simple alphabet/number switching codes.

We continue to learn about the water cycle in Science Lab. Last week, Shan set up a wonderful movement activity where children became water molecules and traveled throughout parts of the cycle depending on a roll of specially made dice.

They then documented their travels with beads on a pipe cleaner. This week, they discussed what they learned and watched a very fun and informative Bill Nye DVD.  In the classroom, we are very science-heavy as we take care of our wormeries, document our seed growth in our greenhouses, and start our seed saving project. Whew!

During library time with Beck, the children voted for their favorite book from the four finalists in the Bank Street College of Education Irma Black Award contest. Overwhelmingly, The Wall in the Middle of the Book, by Jon Agee, was the winner. I highly recommend this book for your home library.

Our Environmental Super Hero project for the month of April is in honor of Earth Day (celebrated this Monday, April 22). Our specially decorated bags will be available at Trader Joe’s on that day. All have been beautifully drawn with a special message for a cleaner world. Yes, once again, our super heroes are doing their part to save the planet.

Grand Friends Day has come and gone – Thursday morning was very busy with stories, contests, and planting! We combined forces with our darling visitors (not just grandparents, but uncles, godparents, and special friends who are like family) and made salsa gardens!