Hello 1JB Families!
We can’t believe the month of October is coming to an end! 1JB has filled so much excitement and learning in this month and we can’t wait to share… check out the photos and information below!
Important dates/Reminders:
- October 28: The Halloween Spooktacular will be held at Friends Seminary from 3-5 PM. Please use the 222 E 16th St. entrance.
- October 31: Halloween Information: Lower School students are invited to bring costumes (in a bag) for a Lower School Halloween parade at the end of the school day. Children will leave school on Tuesday, Oct. 31 in their costumes. Please review the costume guidelines carefully.
- Halloween costumes for school should:
- Come to school in a bag labeled with the child’s name
- Be in keeping with our Quaker values (no weapons or scary costumes)
- Be easy to put on with independence (or very minimal assistance)
- Be worn over clothing that is worn to school (ie nobody should need to undress in order to put on their costume)
- Be safe to move around and walk in with independence
- Include clothing / accessories (no face paint or make up)
- Be individual (no group costumes)
- Avoid the face (no masks, face paint or make up)
- Not depict someone’s culture, heritage, or religion as this can be offensive or perpetuate stereotypes
- Halloween costumes for school should:
- November 3rd Family Visiting
- Nov 9-10: Parent Teacher Conference: No school for students. 1JB Sign Up
What have we been learning and doing in 1JB?
Quaker Spices
We have begun our study of the Quaker SPICES: Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equality, and Stewardship. We began with Simplicity. To do so, we discussed the word’s meaning and explored it through stories. One such story is The Magic Pillow, a Chinese folktale about a young boy who, upon falling asleep on a magic pillow, dreams of being rich and powerful and then losing those privileges. When he wakes up, he realizes his happy life is more valuable than any tangible gift.
Ask your child about these books. How did these books relate to the idea of simplicity?
Each student wrote and drew about what actions they take to practice simplicity.
What are ways YOU practice simplicity?
Social Studies
1JB was very excited to begin thinking about the post office and how it ties into the school-wide theme: Continuing A Culture of Connection. To start this process, we asked questions like, what does it mean to build a connection? and how do you make a connection? Through these questions, 1JB created a list of ways they all build connections. Here are some of the ideas we thought about:
- Finding something in common
- Making friends
- Helping others
- Being inclusive
- Listening to others
To help us visualize this concept, 1JB created a web of connections! As students passed around a ball of yarn, they either complimented a classmate or asked a question.
We followed this up with some role-play. In small groups, students acted out the different ideas of connection! What does it look like when you invite someone to play? How do you find out you have something in common with someone? Ask your child about this activity! What did they act out? How did it go? Check out our videos in the link below!
IJB Building Community Role Play
Spelling
During FUNdations, 1JB has continued tapping out and practicing CVC words. We have a routine to help us tap and blend words. Check it out below! Ask your child to show you this routine. You can practice with the following words: fix, quit, nap, or mud.
Students began writing and reading aloud sentences that included CVC and trick words. They also learned what it means to read with fluency! We practiced this by scooping sentences to show how we say them aloud. See the example below.
New trick words learned this week: is/his
Poetry
During Language Arts, we read a poem called Little Ghosts. When working on poetry, we follow a similar pattern. First, we read the poem as a group. Second, we identify sight words and other specific language or words. For example, with this poem, we focused on the “number words.” Third, students are put into groups and given a line of the poem to practice together. While practicing, students create movements to accompany the line of the poem. We then come back together as a group. Each group stands up in order and recites their line with their movement.
Social Emotional Learning
As a class, we read the book Don’t Hug Doug (He Doesn’t Like It). This story helped us discuss the topic of boundaries.
To help 1JB visualize what it means to have boundaries, we thought about personal space. Each student created their own personal bubble out of yarn. As students made their own bubbles, they noticed that everyone had different-sized bubbles! Students were able to explain to one another why they chose to make their bubbles a specific size. Ask your child about this activity! What size did they make their bubble? Why that size?
Identity Work
What does identity mean? Who are we? What makes us unique? What are some
things that are good for you?
1JB considered these questions and read the story I Am Every Good Thing.
Visit their websites:https://derrickdbarnes.com/ and https://www.gordoncjames.com/
One of the many goals of this book is that students gain self-awareness, confidence, and pride in themselves! To practice this, students created a Who Am I Web. They filled in prompts like: “I can ______” “I love ______” “I like to ____” etc,.
Special Guest Read Alouds
Special visitor Ruthie came to visit 1JB! Not only did she read the story Edward The Emu, but she brought in an emu egg! Students were amazed!! Ask your child about the story and the egg.
Community Time
For community time, 1JB spent time with their 4th-grade buddies! Ask your student what their buddy’s name is? What activities did they do with them?
Math
1JB has continued practicing their number sense by doing an activity called Quick Images. In this activity, a pattern of dots appears on the screen and then quickly vanishes. We asked the students, “How many dots did you see? how did you see them?” Once the dots are gone, students have to draw what they saw. Students see patterns in different ways! For example, if a pattern of 6 dots appears on the screen, some students see 5+1 while others see 3+3. In this activity, we also practice efficient ways of counting! Dot images are an essential tool to help students build a visual link to composing and decomposing small numbers.
Jack O Lantern Math
During math this week, we did a problem-solving activity incorporating Jack-O-Lantern creation. Students were given 2 sets of eyes, 2 months, and 2 noses. The goal was to find as many different combinations of mouths, noses, and eyes as possible without repeating a pattern.
Halloween Collages & Writing
Students made Halloween collages with accompanying texts. Ask your child about the Halloween words they used for their writing.
D.E.A.R Time
Activities
1JB truly enjoys its activity period. Blocks, legos, drawing, and Halloween-themed activities! Check out all the creativity and joy that happens in our classroom during this time:
Ask your child what they like doing during activities!
Author Visit
This Friday, author Ana Aranda came to visit! Ana Aranda is the author and illustrator of many beautiful and thoughtful books like Our Day of the Dead Celebration and The Chupacabra Ate the Candelabra. Ana shared her love for murals, her playfulness with art, and her inspirations. Ask your child about this visit! What did they learn? Check out her books on her website above!
