Where We Are in Place And Time
Mrs. Young, Ms. Godinez, Ms. Jahangir, Ms. Litt, Ms. Ferguson, Ms. Bo
Where We Are in Place And Time
Mrs. Young, Ms. Godinez, Ms. Jahangir, Ms. Litt, Ms. Ferguson, Ms. Bo
This month, our first graders are embarking on an exciting journey around the globe—right from their classrooms! As part of their social studies unit, students are learning about holidays and traditions celebrated in different cultures. From Diwali’s glowing lanterns to Hanukkah’s menorahs, Kwanzaa’s vibrant colors, and Lunar New Year’s dragon dances, they’re exploring the rich diversity that makes our world so special.
Through stories, crafts, and interactive activities, our young learners are gaining a deeper understanding of how families everywhere celebrate joy, gratitude, and togetherness. Ask your child what new holiday they've discovered—it's a great way to spark a meaningful conversation at home!
We celebrate the end of our How the World Works with an engaging project where students bridged the gap between past and present by interviewing family members about how technology has transformed over the years. From typewriters to tablets, landlines to smartphones, and VHS tapes to streaming services, students discovered firsthand how technological advances have reshaped daily life, communication, and entertainment.
These heartfelt conversations not only sparked curiosity about the rapid pace of innovation but also created meaningful moments of connection between generations. By comparing their family members’ experiences with their own, students gained a deeper appreciation for the role technology plays in shaping society and their personal lives.
This project was a wonderful reminder of how much we can learn from the past—and how exciting it is to imagine the future!
This month, our first graders had the exciting opportunity to attend a performance of Junie B. Jones: The Musical! The play brought to life the adventures of Junie B., her quirky classmates, and her humorous take on first grade.
After the show, our students engaged in discussions about the key story elements they observed. They identified the characters, like Junie B. and her friends, and explored how each added to the plot. They also pinpointed the setting, noticing how it changed from Junie’s classroom to her bus rides and even her home life. The students loved identifying the problem-Junie’s struggles to navigate the ups and downs of first grade-and how the solution unfolded through teamwork and understanding.
Seeing these story elements in action helped reinforce the lessons we’ve been learning about reading comprehension and creative storytelling. Ask your child to share their favorite part of the play and how it connected to our classroom lessons!