Dear Third-Grade Parents,
In celebration of Black History Month, the students listened to African animal tales last week. In a Tanzanian story, a magical bird enchants a whole village. In a South African story, a group of monkeys gets led astray by words sweeter than honey. In our fiber and fabrics block, the students learned how linen comes from flax plants and silk is from the cocoons of silk moths, in conjunction with listening to the stories of “The Flax” by Hans Christian Andersen and a Chinese Empress who discovered silk while drinking her afternoon tea. We will finish this block by gathering fabric and thread samples into our main lesson book. The class will continue working with fiber throughout the next couple of weeks by weaving fabric on wooden looms during free periods.
We changed our morning circle to include working more with bean bags. The students practice handing beanbags to each other in a rhythmical pattern. The goal is to pass the beanbags in a synchronized manner just by watching and listening to the movements of their neighbors. We also practiced rhythmic hand-clapping that became increasingly difficult, forward and backward. Both exercises develop attention over a sustained period, increased body awareness, awareness of others, balance, and gross motor skills.
On Monday, February 14, we will celebrate Valentine’s Day. As is our custom, we will keep this celebration low-key and ask the students to refrain from bringing Valentines for the whole class. Instead, each student will make a Valentine card at school to take home for the family.
Reminders:
Make sure that your child comes to school well-rested every day.
Sign up for Parent-Teacher Conferences from Wednesday 2/16 through Friday 2/18 here. We will hold the conferences in person. If you need to set up a virtual meeting, please contact me via email.
Mid-winter break is 2/21-2/25. There will be no school during this week.
Warm Regards,
Gaby Farrokhi
