This week the learners had their Fort Ross visit. We would like to thank everyone for all their hard work in making this trip such a success. The learners had a great time and loved participating in a living history experience. With the Fort Ross trip and our mission study completed, it is time to move forward in California history. This week we started to look at why the missions closed and what events outside of California led to the development of ranchos. We are also going to begin our study of US exploration and the discovery of gold. It should be great fun!

Next week is the winter break. In math we have been working hard on the concepts of equivalent fractions and how to find common denominators to compare and add fractions. Over the break here are some activities that would support these concepts:

Dominoes: (from easiest to more difficult)
1. Have the learners draw one domino and write a list of three equivalent fractions from multiplying the numerator and denominator.
2. Learners could also draw two dominoes and work on converting fractions to add them (3/5+1/2=6/10+5/10=1 1/10)
3. Lay out several dominoes and have them identify which fractions are in lowest terms. Have them reduce the ones that are not.

Dice:
1. Roll two dice and make into a fraction, then find three equivalents.

Learners can also continue to work on multiplication facts. I am noticing the learners that don't know them are having a harder time with some of the fraction concepts.

Tomorrow we are going to complete a math activity with Mr.D's fifth grade class about fractions. The learners are very excited, and it should be a great experience for them.

Homework:
Unfortunately the learners are not being responsible about bringing in their homework. We have had several conversations about this, but it still seems to be a problem. Today almost 1/3 of the class didn't have their ropes page that was due. Yes, this could make for some interesting fraction problems, but I would prefer for the learners to just have it. I wouldn't mention it, but it is a problem that just seems to be getting worse. Tomorrow the learners have a math packet, a page in their writer's notebook and a mission perspective story due. They should have completed them already or should be close to completing them. These were assigned on February 1st, so they have had over two weeks to complete them. Please take a minute to check in with your learner about these assignments. Together, hopefully we can help them become self reliant and responsible about their homework.

Art:
This week we completed Picasso inspired portraits. They turned out fantastic. The learners did a great job. They are on display in the classroom, but here are pictures of a few:








If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask. Have a fabulous break.
Warmly,
Elysha and Lale

Update from week of February 5th

Fort Ross
Fort Ross has been front and center this week as we prepared for our trip next week. The Commandant visited again to show the learners how to sew bags. Different role groups continued their specific jobs to prepare for Fort Ross, and many officers visited the school to meet their "employees". The learners looked at primary documents from the time of Fort Ross and had discussions about the importance of those documents in understanding how life was back then. They also used the primary documents to create word problems for math. The children were given rubrics for their background knowledge and journal projects to help them see the expectations for their work. Volunteer parents came in to help teach the kids embroidery. They all should have brought home embroidered belts that they can wear with their costumes. Several 5th and 6th grade veterans of Ft. Ross came to help demonstrate and teach the troika (a Russian folk dance). I believe that they are prepared to create a real environmental living experience next Monday and Tuesday.

Art Project
Irene and Winnie came with the owners of Skyline Ceramics to guide the learners into making amazing looking chess pieces for a very special chess set.

Women in Sports Day
Caitlin, Kali, Kailee, Maddy, Sierra, Selena, Sam, and Abraham spent some of their own free time this week studying women in sports for the official Women In Sports Day that occurred on Wednesday. They created posters with Christine's guidance to hang in the gym, so visitors to the gym can learn more about important women in sports. The assembly on Wednesday celebrated Women in sports.

Math
In math we are continuing our study of fractions. We are becoming quite good at ordering fractions. We are understanding that the denominator means the number of pieces and can be used to compare fractions. Learners know that it is better to have one out of two than 6 out of 18. Next week we will continue to look at how to compare fractions and begin to explore common denominators.

Dear Families,

The Learner Exhibition was well attended. Thank you very much for coming to the classroom. It was nice seeing the children excitedly sharing their work. The visit in the room hopefully gave everyone a good sense of some of the work going on in the classroom in the past weeks! (So we are hoping the visit gave you a current update: )). We are all working hard (parents, educators, learners..it is a true group effort) in preparing for Ft. Ross this week!

Thanks Again!
Lale And Elysha