Hello Fantastic Families,
Open House is one of my favorite nights of the year. Allowing time for our students to share the fruits of their learning and labors is edifying and inspiring. It also grounds me in what is most important in the process of growing young learners and citizens: balance.
As I plan for the "whats and wheres" of learning-product presentation I am conscious of the need to make sure both curriculum and its delivery and social and personal education are kept in focus. Are the kids learning? What is being emphasized? Where does my focus need to turn for learning objectives to be met? These very academic questions are balanced with questions of citizenry and individual needs. Does that student feel empowered in their thinking? Are they able to express their wants and needs and feel validated? Is the affective filter too high for that child? How can I help them to engage with their peers in a reciprocally positive manner? In the end, I thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve as an educator of not just your students’ minds, but also of their personal beings. I will and do make mistakes, but I am privileged to do my best to build balanced people through education.
Our second-grade Flex-Fridays are another way that the concept of balance is articulated at Del Mar Heights. Most Friday afternoons the second grade students rotate to three stations, headed by the three second-grade teachers, for activities which speak to parts of the child outside of the core academic disciplines. Spanish language, physical education, engineering through tinkering, and chess have been some of the stations this year. These Flex Fridays are anticipated eagerly and embraced as a way to work the mind and the body in slightly different but certainly beneficial ways. Also, this structure allows all three of the teachers to know each child- empowering us to talk more collaboratively and strategically when setting learning goals.
With Earth Day approaching and our recent studies of animals continuing we will be designing our own animals and habitats out of reclaimed and recyclable materials. This project will integrate research, writing, art, engineering, and math as we create our own unique pieces. In order to help with this we need some supplies. Please gather clean, dry recyclables and reusables and send them to class on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of next week. The supplies will be shared among the classes so send as much as you are able. Also, donations of masking tape would be appreciated. Thank you!
After Spring Break, the second graders will have the special opportunity to attend two new field trips that support our science standards. On April 13, we are going behind the scenes of Urban Corps Recycling Center to participate in the actual recycling process. Then, on April 25th the second grade will be visiting the Urban Plantations’ organic farm and restaurant for a “farm to table” experience. Students will be taken on a private tour of the farm to taste various crops. Then, they will tour the restaurant’s kitchen to help prepare some of the freshly picked greens. Both field trips should be unique experiences rich with learning. If you would like to chaperone, please let me know. In May, we will be going on a series of 3 in-house geology field trips in partnership with the San Diego Natural History Museum.
After Spring Break, the second graders will have the special opportunity to attend two new field trips that support our science standards. On April 13, we are going behind the scenes of Urban Corps Recycling Center to participate in the actual recycling process. Then, on April 25th the second grade will be visiting the Urban Plantations’ organic farm and restaurant for a “farm to table” experience. Students will be taken on a private tour of the farm to taste various crops. Then, they will tour the restaurant’s kitchen to help prepare some of the freshly picked greens. Both field trips should be unique experiences rich with learning. If you would like to chaperone, please let me know. In May, we will be going on a series of 3 in-house geology field trips in partnership with the San Diego Natural History Museum.
Have a happy weekend and thank you for turning in your field trip permission slips.
Best,
Andrew Smith
Teacher, Del Mar Heights School
This Week’s Highlights
3/28-4/1
Phonics and word study focus
Contractions, syllables
Reading focus
Comprehension focus: Non-Fiction Texts: animals and habitats
Close reading: Non-Fiction, magazine articles and Animals
Book club individualized strategy lessons: Lessons created for specific skill outcomes based on individual and group needs
Focus books: Animals and Habitats, James and the Giant Peach
Writing focus
Conventions- Spacing, Feeling ending of sentences, Periods and Capitals, Commas in a series, Indentation
Writing skill- Fictional Narrative- Vibrant Verbs
Topical writing- Fictional Narrative “My Magic Medicine”
Math focus
Full Math workshop
Math journal problem solving through visual models
Individualized challenges
Word Problem solving, larger numbers in addition and subtraction
Fraction essentials
Social Studies focus
Science focus week
Science focus
MARE in class and in Mrs. Minarik’s Science Lab
Homework
Daily reading, homework packet, and optional online work (razkids, rosetta stone, dreambox, typing club)
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