Hello, First Grade Families,
The First Grade class is continuing our study of the quality of numbers. Last week, we moved, played games, created rhythmic patterns, and drew colorful drawings during our close look at the numbers two and three. This week, we will focus on the qualities of four, five, and six. Our number studies are paced so that each number is met and reviewed over several days. In the Waldorf approach, we take our time in delving deeply into each number quality, as we do with all subjects in each grade level. The skills the children learn during this block are steadily building the foundation for addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
Each lesson begins with a review of the story from the day before. The class collectively retells the story. Through this experience, the students not only make deeper connections to the qualities of the numbers, but they also develop their imaginations and their ability to create images pictorially, practice recalling information learned, and learn how to summarize stories. In our second story, for example, the children made the connection to the knight's one large nose and two nostrils, and to one sun and two periods in each day: daytime and nighttime. The students then do movement-based and creative activities to understand the properties of the numbers. The students also write the numbers, practice making the shapes of the numbers with their hands and bodies, build the numbers out of manipulatives, and jump rope to numeric patterns, to name a few of the experiences they enjoy.
Announcements and Reminders:
If you have not yet signed up for conferences, please do so here. It will be lovely to meet with each of you.
The autumn weather is here (finally). Layering clothing is essential for students to be comfortable throughout the day.
Please label clothing!
Send two full water bottles and bug spray daily.
Upcoming Events:
10/11 - 10/12 Sixth Grade caving field trip
10/12 HALF DAY - Parent Conferences
10/13 NO SCHOOL - Parent Conferences
10/14 Community Work Day 10 am - 1 pm *Please note the date change
10/21 Kingdom of Halloween
11/1 NO SCHOOL - Teacher in-service
11/1 Parent Night for Joyful Beginnings and Kindergarten classes, 6 pm - 7 pm
Warm regards,
Ki Meredith
