Magic Number 7`

We started the week focusing on peer revising for sentence fluency and writing introductions for our kite reports. All completed the finishing touches on their kites, wrote final drafts of their reports, and touched up a few bird study entries all in time for Big Circle on Friday. Red Fox Clanners helped arrange the exhibit hall and chose how to hang/display their kites. Each student did a phenomenal job taking turns reading their reports and nature journal entries. Congratulations to the Red Fox Clan! After a special guest's visit on Tuesday afternoon, we will turn our attention toward Ancient Greece and its contribution to flight.

Students began new topics in math and continue to learn and practice material with efficiency. We spent time as a whole group developing composition and decomposition strategies while completing mental math problems with large numbers.

In the classroom, in the woods, and on the playground I have felt thrilled to see how much compassion and appreciation flows between these children. Enjoy the pictures!

Week half a dozen

In Writing Red Fox Clanners finished up topic sentences and successfully gave each other thoughtful feedback during peer revision sessions. Students determined the order in which they will present ideas from their notes when constructing paragraphs. Drafting has begun. We are planning to present our kites and some semblance of our reports at Big Circle next Friday.

In class we began to look at data we have collected at the Flying Deer Weather Center. We have begun to notice a relationships in wildlife activity and weather by using graphic organizers. Students completed level one of Bird Chaser, a bird identification game being created by Devin Franklin. Each child has a life list on which they will record bird sightings or hearings.

Both groups of mathematicians are finishing up their first unit of study and assessing what they mastered. It has been most enjoyable to work in small groups with these eager learners. A great deal of collaboration, concentration and fun describes each math session.

The Red Fox Clan had their first handball match of the year. Within 30 seconds the first goal was scored. All immediately agreed to not keep score because they have observed that it creates unnecessary tension. These kids are on to something.

Week 5

Red Fox Clan gave a great deal of attention to birds this past week. Inside we practiced the core routine of Mind's Eye where we learned about key features to pay attention to when identifying birds. Students then used what they learned. After observing a robin for a minute, field guides were closed and the robin was colored from memory. Red Fox Clanners also completed listening to Jon Young's talk on Universal Language.

Within minutes of being outside on Wednesday we walked upon white throated sparrows (50 or more) and juncos. Before identifying the birds, students listened to calls, songs, and observed the key features of the birds. We sang and called to the white throated sparrows, and many of them flew closer and sang back to us. Each child received a bird nature name as well. The clan spent an hour building a roaring fire in the rain (a great accomplishment). Students learned knots and then put up a tarp near the fire, which captured the heat and we had a warm and comfortable afternoon.

Pairs continued to research the kites of a particular country. Using color, students categorized or chunked related information and began creating a short outline to see the big picture. Next week we will work on topic sentences and drafting. With the help of many grandparents and grand friends, students buzzed around Friday morning and made much progress on their kites.

Week 4

The Red Fox Clan had a short but exciting week of school, including our first session of Flying Deer with Devin Franklin!

Thank you all for being a part of the Goal Setting Conferences. As I have already expressed, I am delighted by the quality of self awareness these children have and the ease with which they reflect on and speak about their learning.

On Tuesday we began a "mini" kite project. Students were split up into pairs and given the task of exploring the history of kites within a particular country. They read provided resources, using highlighters and taking down information in their Flight Logs about how kites were used, developed and the country's stories and legends. Students will be asked to write a short report and build a kite from their designated country. The Red Fox Clan plans to share these reports and kites at the big circle we host later in October.

Red Fox Clanners started the day Wednesday recording information at a weather station before preceding to help built the tipi for the opening circle fire at Flying Deer. We began our investigation of bird language by first learning about chipmunks. After becoming chipmunks for a period of time (complete with "chipping" and treeing ourselves when a "fox" approached), students went on a wander to interact with chipmunks. Many returned with great stories and questions. Several students even managed to trap a chipmunk for all to catch a glimpse of when it escaped. We will continue to learn about the universal language of birds both inside the classroom and at Flying Deer next week.