Marybeth and Elena's Class Notes

While we've all been put to the test, and had to pivot and stretch due to student and teacher absences, we have nevetheless managed to have a productive start to to 2022. A new year is traditionally a time to take inventory and set resolutions and the same is true in the classroom. For the last three weeks we've been busy assessing student progress, and adjusting individual and group goals for our next several months together. We have done a deep dive into our writing work. In addition to their personal writing, the children have each been having fun crafting light-hearted memoirs inspired by Jamie Lee Cutis' book, When I Was Little; A Four Year Olds Memoir of Her Youth. In the context of their independent work, as well as in small study groups, they have been stretching themselves to meet their personal goals.

We launched the new year with our history work (finally!), which began with a discussion about the nature and purpose of history. In order to give the children a sense of time, we created a "toilet paper timeline" with each square indicating one year. Our study of indigenous history brings us back in time roughly 400 years ago. After marking their birthdays, our birthdays, and some of their oldest grandparents' birthdays, they were able to see that 400 years is indeed a very, very long time ago, in comparison. The children have since been split into small research teams where, with the support of a teacher, they are researching the answers to various questions they have about what life was like for local and regional Native Americans. When everyone finishes their work, they will take turns being teachers as they present their learning with their classmates. We've also been finding time for fun arts and crafts that celebrate the season. Be sure to see additional photos on our class website!