Dear Parents,
Summer seems to be hanging on by the skin of its teeth and we are taking full advantage of these few final glorious days. Downtown has truly become our playground, or more aptly, the source of deep discussions, keen observations and a springboard for artistic inspiration. Our perspective of downtown has been broadened, as we see Charlottesville through artists' eyes, historians' eyes and economists' eyes (so far). Our children embrace learning "in the field" and have become true ambassadors for our school. We have received many positive comments about their deep questions and their engaged listening. I am proud to lead them around our city and look forward to many more adventures.
Speaking of adventures, our river excursion was a whopping success! The Cooley's were such gracious hosts. Their love of Machodoc Creek and the surrounding area was palpable and contagious. From the moment we arrived, the children repeatedly asked when they could come again. They were mesmerized by the beauty, sounds and science of the water. When we were not traveling over gravel roads on the back of Greg's orange pick-up truck, we held our faces to the sun as we cruised down the Potomoc. Michelle Lockwood wove scientific investigation into each experience. Some highlights included setting up a black light against a white sheet to attract insects, seining in the Potomac River and the creek, and searching for fossils and sharks teeth on Nomini Cliffs. We enjoyed a historical tour of the St. Clement's lighthouse and marveled that we stood on the same ground where colonists landed. Of course, we snuck in time to celebrate the local cuisine. We began our evening with a crab feast and ended the night with a giant game of Ghosts in the Graveyard. We were literally awoken in the morning by firecrackers outside of our tent! I hope your children regaled you with stories when they returned home. Many of them said it was the best field trip ever. If they didn't say it, they sang it, while swinging in the hammock under the stars.
Back in the classroom we are writing up a storm. We are preparing for our first ever Publishing Party. Your budding authors already have an anthology of work ranging from poetry to historical fiction. They will choose a piece that they have taken through the entire writing process, from brainstorming to publishing, and read it out loud on Grandparents'/Special Friends' Day. We are hoping to transform our classroom to a coffee shop (much like Shenandoah Joe's where some of these pieces were written) to create a literary ambiance. We are also planning on making these Publishing Parties a regular tradition. This one will feature stories that effectively demonstrate mood, tone and indirect characterization.
In Social Studies, we are exploring the past by walking in someone else's shoes. We are examining colonial times from the perspective of adventurers, west African slaves, explorers, aristocrats, Native Americans, etc. Before we began, each student chose a"ticket" to board one of the many ships that sailed across the Atlantic to the New World. On each ticket was written the role they will research and play as we study this period in time. They have begun narratives, using the voice of the ticket holder. The writing will evolve as the history unfolds. We plan to visit Jamestown and Williamsburg to make our learning that much more authentic.
If you walk by our room during math, you may think it's recess. Never before has math generated such whoops of joy and enthusiasm. Ms. Lucas is leading our class through interactive, higher-level thinking games. Dice are being rolled, cards are being pulled and complex equations are being developed and solved. The math is really hands-on, and in their hands. They have reviewed prime numbers, decimals, and expanded form. Next week we will begin creating our Math Trail. We will again use our downtown as a springboard for ideas. Middle-schoolers will collaborate with the Sun Bears to design a book of mathematical challenges. Charlottesville landmarks, such as the Pavilion, the Paramount and the local sculptures will be used to generate the math challenges.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Whomever said Middle School isn't fun was surely mislead. In your children I have found invested learners, enthusiastic scientists, focused mathematicians and dedicated historians. They are gracious guests, gifted orators and fine storytellers. Thank you for sharing them with me. They inspire me daily and help me to find wonder in the world.
Warmly,
Karin
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