This week we learned about Leif Erickson and the Vikings in history, and we created our own dragon prowed Viking longboats. We learned about our nation’s capital in geography, solids liquids and gases in science, where we shared a solid, liquid and gas treat of soda over ice, we listened to Jeremiah Clarke’s composition, “The Prince of Denmark’s March,” and we learned about the ancient Jōmon period of Japan by making clay pots like they did using the coil method.
Skip Counting – 5‘s
History – We learned about history timelines. We will be building a simple classroom timeline with some history events throughout the year. Suggested at home activity: An easy activity to do at home that will help your child understand this better is to work together to create a personal timeline of his or her life. I’ve attached a short video that you might want to watch together at home before working on this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o50HA6QTxj0 The timeline can be as simple as a line drawn on paper with pictures or words listed in chronological order. The pictures or words will tell the story of your child’s life If you complete the timeline activity, please have your child bring it to school. We would love to spend a few moments sharing with each other.
We read A Viking Tail by Ulfr and Fryja Bell and a simple reader about Leif Erickson which included a bit of handwriting trace practice. Yes, the book is really titled Viking “Tail” and not “Tale”. It is about a Viking boy and his faithful dog as they bravely fight off a dragon threatening their village. We created our own Viking ship artwork, which will be displayed in our room temporarily. Suggested at home activity: Color the book and have your child try to read some of the story to you if they can.
Video resources for Vikings if interested:
Our next two weeks will be about Christopher Columbus.
Geography – We reviewed N, S, E and W and what countries/oceans are located there. We colored a US flag and discussed our nation’s capital, Washington D.C. Students were introduced to the “man in the map” who will help us to remember our state shapes. Over the course of the year, we will be reading The Little Man in the Map: With Clues to Remember All 50 States by E. Andrew Martony. Next week, we formally begin studying our states with Minnesota. Each week, students will be building their geography notebooks with state coloring pages, and they will be filling their USA “passports” with state flag stickers.
Bible – Don’t be a Quitter-The Emperor Penguin. Did you know a patient and determined Emperor penguin dad protects his egg by keeping it snuggled in a warm pouch on top of his feet for two whole months – all while eating nothing?! We learned that Elijah was also determined and didn’t quit praying for rain even when others told him to stop. “Keep on praying.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17
Science – Solids, Liquids and Gases. We learned that everything created by God is normally found in one of three states- solid, liquid or gas. We observed solid, liquid and gaseous forms of water (ice, water and steam/water vapor) and we observed how water can change between the three different states. We used parachutes and balls to see how the atoms we learned about last week move in different states of matter. We had fun moving our bodies like solid, liquid and gas atoms. Finally, we shared a treat containing both solids, liquids and gases (a small amount of soda over ice).
Vocabulary
matter- everything in the world that takes up space and that you can touch or feel.
states of matter – the three main forms that all matter can take. These are solid, liquid or gas.
solid – firm and has a definite shape that doesn’t change even when you move it ex. a wooden block or ice
liquid – flows and takes the shape of its container ex. water or soda
gas- doesn’t have a set shape and will always fill its container ex. air or water vapor
Nature Study – Tufted Titmouse (NOT a local bird). Our rainy day precluded any nature walks outside.
Music – Today we listened to Jeremiah Clarke’s composition, “The Prince of Denmark’s March,” highlighting a trumpet solo. We also revisited our rhythm songs, All ‘Round the Brickyard” and “Bounce High, Bounce Low.”
Art – This week, we discussed the ancient Jōmon period of Japan. We learned about the world’s earliest pottery tradition by creating our own clay pots using the same coil technique that Japanese Jōmon period potters used. We also used ropes, burlap, shells, and other tools to make texture / impressions on our pots
VocabularyTexture: How something feels when you touch it, like bumpy, smooth, rough, or fuzzy.Impression / Imprint: A mark or shape made when you press an object into something softer.
With warm regards,
Mrs. Charlene Vicari
Ms. Lauren Donegal (TA)