The start of the year has been extremely positive! It has been such a joy melding our crew together. We are establishing strong ethics in the SIERRA Norms and Habits of Work through investigation of the Design Principle of the Month: Responsibility for Learning.  This language is unpacked every day and students and I refer back to it on a consistent basis to keep fresh on the mind.   We have started our HOW’s weekly goal setting with our first discussion about how we are in in charge of our own learning and how to manage our time.

Expedition:
Expedition boards are up, Guiding Question is posted, and Learning Targets/ Case Studies are in full view.  On Friday we kicked off our Expedition, Gold Dust and Gun Smoke with a walking field work to Cold Stream. We examined the various routes Prospectors took to on their trek to California. We played a simulation game with fate cards, gaining and loosing gold coins as we walked the Overland trail (our walk to Cold Stream), traveled the Panama Route (“jungle trail” up in Cold Stream) and the Cape Horn route (walked around a pond). Then we finally made it to California and the search for gold was on! Just as in history, some of our prospectors found gold while others weren’t so fortunate. Students have been viewing Charlie Chaplin’s The Gold Rush silent film which was filmed right here on Donner Pass and Truckee. Other Expedition work will include Reader’s Theatre, On Demand Writing piece, Gold Rush Bingo and Expedition Word Wall construction, as well as kicked off a read aloud of By the Great Horn Spoon.  I am looking forward to our field work in San Francisco where we will participate in the Maritime National Park Association program called, “A Golden Opportunity” and students will in put in the adventuresome prospector’s seat. They will be immersed in an environmental living program to explore the rugged era of the Gold Rush from a maritime perspective.

Math:

Students are learning their math norms in their grade level crews, and have taken a pre-assessment on Unit 1. Students in both crews practice their numerical fluency by doing Mad Math Minutes each day before Number Corner (4th) and Problem of the Week (5). In learning the Cornell note-taking structure on a daily basis, students also gain a broader understanding of the concepts necessary for mastering upper elementary math.

ELA

Writing is in full force and we are immersed into our first narrative piece, The Secret Life of Mrs. Akers. I have had so much fun reading about all the exciting adventures that I secretly do every night after we leave school. This assignment is allowing us to review the nuts and bolts and our expectations of our writing time. We have started a new grammar program with direct instruction to 4th and 5th graders. I am looking forward to see how this will increase the value of our conventions relative to writing. The students will be assessed for a baseline reading level. Students will also participate in a Book Tasting in which they will explore our crew library, and select a Good Fit Book in which they will write a formal Book Review. This book review will be presented in an Author’s Forum in October.

We have exciting field work in the horizon and appreciate all the volunteers who have already stepped up to help out. I cannot thank you enough as I do know how much organization and planning go into our exciting field work excursions. THANK YOU!

Miss Ruby (Arts for the Schools) has joined our crew again and the students are creating art for the Art and Soul Walk.  Their pieces will be featured in front of Marty’s Cafe.  They will not be sold but kept for portfolios.  The photo is an example of our crew creating the art pieces and using the stand up desk.  Speaking of standing….

The STAND UP DESK have been a hit! The kids really like having their own space and and the ability to move.  We  have been making our way to longer standing times and have transition from sitting to standing like champs!