Children As Teachers

On Tuesday, November 6th, children and parents came together in the Big Room for the 3rd and 4th Grade Math and Science Night. Math tables offered experiential opportunities to use skills in the areas of numbers sense, measurement, geometry, function and logical thinking. Science tables included activities that encouraged the use of observation, investigation, prediction, and grouping and sorting skills. These engaging, exciting and thought provoking activities gave parents the chance to momentarily experience the school lives of their children.

Math and Science Night also gave 3rd and 4th grade children the chance to be teachers. They explained, demonstrated, and often had to coax their parents to learn how to create electricity or to try their hand at “Make 24,” a math game where you can use addition, subtraction, multiplication or division to reach 24. This game sounds simple until you realize that each number on the sheet can only be used once. While their parents enjoyed becoming learners again, children also got a chance to create constellations, identify leaves and observe a mystery tooth through a magnifying glass to determine whether or not it was a fossil. Observation activities in general were very popular. One student encouraged his mom to join him as he quickly observed a penny, put it away and then began to draw all the details he could remember on an observation sheet.

It was wonderful to watch the ways both parents and children used previously acquired skills in math and science as well as acquire some new skills along the way. It’s always nice to see parents involved in our work at school. It gives us a chance to get to know you in a different light. Your openness to learn and be challenged sends your children the message that learning doesn’t stop at adulthood— it is an ongoing process. It also confirms for your children that learning can be fun!

Sharon

WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS

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A note about LS Spanish from Julie. In Spanish, children are:

  • talking about what they did at Hawthorne Valley Farm. Ask them, ¿Qué hiciste en la granja? (Fourth Grade)
  • naming places in the world where Spanish is spoken. Ask them, ¿Dónde se habla español? (Third Grade)
  • telling about their favorite animals, books, games, and colors. Ask them, ¿Cuál es tu animal / libro / juego / color favorito? (Second Grade)
  • making counting books about the objects inside a piñata. Say with them, “Una piñata, dos trompetas, tres animales…” (First Grade)
  • singing about a duck family. Ask them to show you “la mamá pata y los cinco patitos.” (Fours, EK, and Kindergarten)

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Library Updates: Please visit the new Lower School Library Blog at http://blog.lrei.org/lslibrary
This is the place to find library news, book lists and literacy links!

 

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Family math and science night is an exciting evening for children and adults who want to have fun and explore math and science by doing hands-on activities. The First and Second grade night is  Tuesday, Nov. 13, from 6pm to 7:30 in both the Auditorium (Math) and Cafeteria (Science) (click here for a pdf flyer). The Third and Fourth grade night was Tuesday, Nov. 6th. Childcare is available; please sign up for children who are not in the grades for which the events are organized.

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Would you like to contribute to a great cause and get in a good run or walk at the same time? Join the LREI Race to Deliver team! God’s Love We Deliver will hold their annual 4-mile run/walk called the Race to Deliver on Sunday, Nov. 18; this year will be the first time there is an LREI team! To join, visit racetodeliver.org, click on Join a Team, and choose LREI from the list of teams. Prior to the main race, there are Fun Runs for kids, at manageable distances. It is lots of fun, the kids get goody bags, you can run, walk or cheer on the participants. Even if you don’t run, your children can participate in the kids’ runs, and any running friends you may have can sign up to be on our team as well.

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PARENT MEETINGS & EVENTS

  • Monday, 11/12, 8:45AM: MS Tour for Fourth grade Families
  • Monday, 11/12: Photo Re-Take Day
  • Tuesday, 11/13, 6PM: First & Second grade Math & Science Night, Sixth Avenue (flyer)
  • Wednesday, 11/14, 8:45AM: Fourth grade Assembly
  • Friday, 11/16: Afterschool’s First Friday
  • Monday, 11/19, 8am: Gwen & Becka’s Fourth grade Farm trip breakfast
  • Tuesday, 11/20, 8am: Kate & Dave’s Fourth grade Farm trip breakfast
  • Tuesday, 11/20, 8:45am: LS Parents of Children of Color meeting
  • Wednesday, 11/21: Thanksgiving Break – School closes at 12Noon (4s – 1st grade at 11:45am)
  • Monday, 11/22: School Re-opens
  • For an up-to-date, searchable all school calendar, please visit lrei.org/calendar

LOWER SCHOOL NOTES

  • All families: Please see the following note – Lower School Fall Penny Harvest (letter)

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