Pen Pals in Chicago

We started communicating with our friends from a second grade class in Chicago, USA today!
Please, ask your child what's the name of their special friend! We will be writing letters and sending them information from São Paulo next week.

Nathan talking with Freddie

Nina exchanging information with Channing!

Our Guest Speakers from High School!

Three science teachers from the High School came to our classroom today.
The children observed various preserved specimens in jars. They could use powerful hand lenses and listened to a relevant and memorable presentation! Thank you Mr.Schlesinger, Mr. Fox, and Ms.Julia!

2B's New Learning and a New Student!

Ms. Wilker's Class, 2B

September 24, 2018

We have been busy in 2B over the last couple of weeks with MAP tests, our Community B Assembly, and finishing up / starting NEW units.  We have also gotten a new student!  Keep reading to learn more.

The MAP scores will be shared with parents electronically next week.  Thank you for your patiences as teachers are studying them and making plans for how to use them most effectively to supportive all students' needs.


2B did an awesome job at their 1st Community B Assembly of the year.  They sang a song that we sing each morning to get the day started in a positive way, thinking about persevering over any challenges that may come up during the day.   This song teaches us new vocabulary and we compare formal vs. informal English.  Here are a couple photos from their performance of The Best Day of My Life:

Last week, 2nd graders began a new Science unit about Insects.  We have been discussing what we THINK we know, what questions we have, and how we think we can answer those questions.  We plan to do some nature walks and invite some special guests to help us begin to learn more and become experts.

We are learning how to be Entomologists and what exactly makes an insect an insect!  Mr. Cook and Ms. Wilker introduced some of the learning with a video last week while kids chose the specific vocabulary that they thought we needed to know about an insect's body.

2B has welcomed a new student into our class over the last couple of weeks.  Her name is Larissa Da Silva and she moved here from New Jersey.  She is energetic, bubbly and very friendly.  She has made some fast friends and is enjoying getting to know Graded as well.  Welcome Larissa! :)

Larissa Da Silva

  

2B has 21 students now!

NOTES TO KNOW:

- 2B's Room Mom is Juliana Freitas (Ben's mom)!  Thank you for all you do!  On Friday, I sent home envelopes for money from the PTA.  If you send with your child, Renata and I will organize and send to Juliana.  Thanks!

- This week we have a different schedule: Mon-C, Tues-D, Wed-E, Thurs-F, Fri-NO CLASSES, Mon-A, Tues-B...

-Hearing and Vision Screenings for 2B will be Tuesday and Wednesday morning this week (an email from the school was sent out about this last week)

- Please help your child remember to pack and return their library books at least by C day so they are able to check out more books.  Most kids returned today and were able to get new books!

-The Core Value that the lower school will be focusing on for October is INTEGRITY.  WE will be doing many activities about it.  Feel free to talk to your child about this too.    "Do the RIGHT thing even when no one is watching!" :)  For Aug/Sept, the Core Value of focus was respect.

- Trimester 1 report cards will go out to parents electronically on Oct 17

- Oct 17 and 24 Student-Led Conferences (invitations and schedules will be sent out)

Thank you and have an AWESOME WEEK!

Eagles Nest and Shout Outs!Elodie

Elodie got a shout out for being very respectful!

Monday morning fun!

Very focused kids

All learning communities get together every Monday morning!

Insects!

We love BUGS!!

Lower School Update - September 24, 2018

The Eagle’s Nest
Two classes were awarded the Golden G award today for demonstrating respect the past week. Congratulations to Ms.  Keane’s first grade class, and Ms. Kitto’s fifth grade class!

Day Schedule This Week

While Upper School has a week of Classroom Without Walls, our Lower School will be in classes (with the exception of Friday which is a Professional Development day for teachers). Here are the rotation days for the week:

Monday, Sept 24 - Day C
Tuesday, Sept 25 - Day D
Wednesday, Sept 26 - Day E
Thursday, Sept 27 - Day F
Friday Sept 28 - LS PD Day (no school for students)

Friday - No School for Students

Just a reminder that this Friday, September 28 our Lower School teachers will have a professional development day. This means teachers will be learning and collaborating with each other to strengthen our programs. Our particular focus will be on choosing meaningful learning standards and ensuring that we assess them accurately. Students will have the day off and return to school on Monday, October 1.

A Note from the PTA Regarding Teacher Appreciation Week

NOW IS THE TIME FOR THE GRADED COMMUNITY TO THANK OUR EDUCATORS,
THE WAYS THEY SUPPORT US, AND THE LASTING IMPACT THEY HAVE AT THE
FUTURE OF OUR KIDS AND OUR WORLD.

MAKE A DONATION
Together we can sponsor a very special week for our Graded teachers! Please consider donating R$50 or more per child so we can guarantee all our 170+ teachers and assistants are recognized. The funds will pay for the week of festivities and individual gifts for each one of our Graded educators. This year in addition we are accepting online credit card and PayPal to make the donation process easier for everyone. Please use the following link: www.graded.br/taw2018

THANK YOU NOTE
Use this opportunity to write something special to your chidren’s teachers. Teachers are used to getting notes from our kids, but feel extra special when parents take the time to write them a few words. Feel free to write notes to teachers from previous years. And please do not forget our Assistants, Librarians, Special‘s teachers (PE, Music, Art, etc) and Principals. Use positive examples of times when your teacher really made a difference in your kids’ lives. Please understand this is not a requirement but a suggestion to make our teachers feel appreciated.

Donations and Thank You Notes will be collected from September 24th through October 5th. Please place your donation in the envelope labeled TEACHER APPRECIATION and drop it off at the booth located outside the Cafeteria/Student Center, or you can send the envelope to the Lower School Office.

ORIGAMI
Help your child make an Origami Butterfly to decorate the events for the teachers. Use the provided Origami paper and follow the instructions written here. Please return your butterfly by October 3rd to your child’s teacher. Kids love to be involved!

Upcoming Important Dates

September 28	Faculty Professional Development Day (no school for students)
October 5	LS Community D Assembly 8:15 am (auditorium)
October 8 to 10	PTA Teacher Appreciation Week
October 11	Faculty Professional Development Day (no school for students)
October 12	No School - Our Lady of the Apparition Holiday
October 17	Student-Led  Conferences (no school for students)
October 19	LS Community A Assembly 8:15 am (auditorium)
October 24	Student-Led  Conferences (no school for students)
October 26	LS Community B Assembly 8:15 am (auditorium)

Around the Lower School

Rituais iniciais nas aulas de português

Nas aulas de português, antes de começarmos com os trabalhos de leitura e escrita, seguimos a mesma rotina: cantamos e fazemos alguns minutos de mindfulness.

No momento, estamos trabalhando com as músicas do musical "Os Saltimbancos", peça inspirada no conto dos Irmãos Grimm, “Os Músicos de Bremen”.

Todos os dias, os alunos chegam felizes e animados para cantarem as músicas. Como dica de passeio cultural, no Shopping Jardim Sul, durante alguns domingos do mês de setembro, haverá a apresentação do musical, caso queiram levar seus filhos.

Nos nossos momentos de mindfulness, estamos praticando a respiração, concentração e também estamos falando sobre gratidão. Tem sido uma experiência bastante enriquecedora.

Lower School Update - September 17, 2018

The Eagle’s Nest
Two classes were awarded the Golden G award today for demonstrating respect the past week. Congratulations to Ms.  Heineberg’s first grade class, and Ms. Lomax’s third grade class!

Room Parent 101

On Wednesday morning all our new room parents will attend a training session for their role this school year. We would like to thank these parents for being willing to volunteer their time.

Learning Community C Assembly

On Friday Learning Community C will share their learning with members of our community. The assembly will start at 8:15 and should last approximately 40 minutes. We hope you can join us!

Day Schedule Next Week

While Upper School has a week of Classroom Without Walls, our Lower School will be in classes (with the exception of Friday which is a Professional Development day for teachers). Here are the rotation days for the week:

Monday, Sept 24 - Day C
Tuesday, Sept 25 - Day D
Wednesday, Sept 26 - Day E
Thursday, Sept 27 - Day F
Friday Sept 28 - LS PD Day (no school for students)

Upcoming Important Dates

September 17	5th grade Field Trip to Instituto Gustavo Rosa (Ms. Gehrels/Mr. Wolfe)
September 18	3rd grade Field Trip to Museu da Imigração
September 19	Room Parent 101 8:10 (LS Studio)
September 21	LS Community C Assembly 8:15 am (auditorium)
September 28	Faculty Professional Development Day (no school for students)
October 5	LS Community D Assembly 8:15 am (auditorium)
October 8 to 10	PTA Teacher Appreciation Week
October 11	Faculty Professional Development Day (no school for students)
October 12	No School - Our Lady of the Apparition Holiday
October 17	Student-Led  Conferences (no school for students)
October 19	LS Community A Assembly 8:15 am (auditorium)
October 24	Student-Led  Conferences (no school for students)
October 26	LS Community B Assembly 8:15 am (auditorium)

Around the Lower School

2nd Grade Math - Family Letter

Reading and Writing Blocks!