STUDIO K NEWS

In math, we are beginning to progress at our own levels, so you may notice that children are working on different skills based on what they are ready to learn next. Some learners are working on counting groups of objects and using strategies to make their counting more accurate and efficient. Others are exploring 2D shapes, including naming and describing their sides and vertices, while some are moving on to identifying and describing 3D shapes.

🏠 Try It at Home!
• Counting: Grab a handful of small objects (LEGOs, cereal, coins, toys, etc.). Ask your child to count them and explain how they made sure they counted each object only once. Try moving or organizing the objects to make them easier to count.
• 2D Shapes: Go on a shape hunt around your house! Ask, “What shape do you see? How do you know?” Talk about the number of sides and vertices rather than relying only on how the shape looks.
• 3D Shapes: Look for spheres, cubes, cones, cylinders, and other solid shapes around your home. Ask your child to name the shape and describe what they notice about it.

We are becoming writers! We have learned that writers think of an idea, say their words out loud, draw pictures, write words, and add details. We spent time becoming stronger illustrators by using shapes, parts, and colors to make our pictures clear and readable. We have also learned to pound and tap words to listen for sounds when writing labels. Next, we will continue using these skills as we begin learning how to write sentences.

🏠 Try It at Home!

Give your child authentic reasons to write! They can make a grocery list, label a picture they drew, write a note to someone, make signs for a game, or tell about something your family did. Encourage them to say the word they want to write, pound it, and tap the sounds they hear. At this stage, the goal isn't perfect spelling—we want children to become confident using the sounds they know to communicate their ideas! Please do not tell them how to spell the words. 

We are learning that we are an important part of our EPiC community! EPiC stands for Everyone Inspired to Create, and we are discovering what it really means to be a creator.

Creators notice problems and wonder how they might create something to help solve them. Before creating, we learn to build knowledge about the problem and practice the skills we might need. We are also learning that creators choose tools and materials for a purpose rather than simply using whatever is available.

This learning will become an important foundation for our next work together. Soon, we will discover that there are many other living things that are part of our EPiC community too! We will build knowledge about those living things and use our creativity to learn, solve problems, and advocate for the living things that share our community.

🏠 Try It at Home!

Encourage your child to be a creator! When they notice a small problem, resist solving it right away. Ask, “What do you notice?” “What do you wonder?” “What could we learn about this?” or “Could you create something that might help?” Even simple problems are opportunities to practice thinking like a creator.

We are beginning to learn about our EPiC Code and the character traits that help us become strong members of our community. Our 5th graders have become experts and are visiting us to help teach what it means to show Entrepreneurial Mindset, Perseverance, Integrity, and Compassion.

As we learn each part of the EPiC Code, we will begin making daily commitments about how we want to show up as learners and community members. We will also be watching for children who consistently demonstrate these character traits so we can celebrate them with positive office referrals!

🏠 Try It at Home!

Look for opportunities to name these traits when they naturally happen:
• Entrepreneurial Mindset: “You noticed a problem and thought of an idea to help!”
• Perseverance: “That was hard, but you kept trying and tried another way.”
• Integrity: “You did the right thing even when no one was reminding you.”
• Compassion: “You noticed how someone else was feeling and found a way to care for them.”

Using the same words at home and at school will help children begin to recognize that the EPiC Code isn't just something we learn—it is something we practice and live every day!