In Literacy, we have been hard at work on our Biography Unit. Each student has been researching a famous person to find out how they made a change in the world and what inspired them. When we return from vacation, students will work on a project of their choice to show what they have learned to the rest of the class.
Last week, we finished working on our interview questions for our project based on the information in the book Teammates. This wonderful book tells the story of how Jackie Robinson became the first African-American baseball player in the Major Leagues. We learned how Jackie Robinson, Pee Wee Reese (Jackie's teammate), and Branch Rickey (the Dodgers' manager) also helped to integrate baseball. As I met with each group to discuss their interview questions and answers, I was impressed with their great ideas and thoughtfulness about this important, but challenging time in history when segregation was changing. Today, each group presented their interview to the group.
We also read, The Story of Ruby Bridges, which tells about a girl who becomes the first African American student at her newly integrated school. It was wonderful to read about a kid who made a difference! It was inspiring to learn how she kept going to school and stayed positive even when she faced obstacles, such as people not treating her fairly.
On Thursday, we had an exciting ECO lesson where we looked for signs of spring. First, we shared "nature notes" about what we have been observing outdoors over the past few days. We played a vernal pool tag game where wood frogs tried to catch insects. Then, each group checked in on their trees to observe any changes and to record their findings. Finally, we went on a Signs of Spring Scavenger Hunt on the trail through the woods. Later, we wrote in our ECO journals to tell more about what we observed using all of our senses.
I hope everyone has a wonderful vacation! I look forward to hearing everyone's stories when we return!
