We have been busy!

We are wrapping up our language learning focus using the stories by H. A. Rey about the little curious monkey named George.  The students wrote their own stories about George's adventures and  after sharing them within the class, assessing them with their classmates and doing some self assessment, the students divided into three groups and read their stories to the three Grade One classes.

Our math is focused on a Project Based Learning unit, in which each student is 

creating a town square, following the criteria shared in these slides.

Each of the places that will be added to the town square will come from our creative 'architects',

who also worked collaboratively with their firm's 'partners'

to ensure that the plans and drawings were appropriate.

They are focused on knowing how to share ideas, to express their ideas both verbally and in written and drawn form, and to offer suggestions and opinions in a positive manner.

It has been a great project that the students are enjoying immensely, because they are in charge of the final product!

If you could have seen their surprised and confused faces on Friday morning, as grandmas and mamas showed up in our classroom.  Great job of keeping the secret!

It was sock monkey making day, and the students took their job very seriously,

listening carefully to the instructions and then picking up a needle and thread,

to sew on tails, stuff the parts, 

and end up with a friend for life!

Look at what they accomplished!

Monkeys alive...they took them to visit our principal, who has been behind closed doors all day doing the boriing things that principals do.  We wanted to cheer him up and show him our accomplishments!

Oh happy day!