Continued Moon Study

Good Evening CFI Families!

This past week we explored more second hand sources about the moon, examining the surface taking a NASA video tour and figuring out the pattern of moon changes seen in the lunar cycle. We learned about waxing and waning and titles for different shapes like crescent, gibbous, and full moon. We will be examining this more as we have a science speaker come on Monday to demonstrate the way the sun’s light creates these shapes.

In writing we are working on the writing process and are creating a story together. We have already brainstormed ideas, created characters, and planned the setting for our story. In the next few days we will begin planning the details of our storyline so be on the lookout for how Teddy Bear Goes Camping develops.

This past Friday we took the Ravens district assessment. Here is how the district describes both the assessment and its use for your information:

Each year, first grade students throughout Richland Two take the RAVENS Aptitude Test. It is a completely visual test. A pattern is given, with a part missing. Think of it like an almost complete jigsaw puzzle, with one piece missing. The students must use the given visual clues to decide which of the given pieces would best fit in the puzzle. As far as test goes, it is actually quite fun!

The district uses the results of this test as one piece of data that may help your child qualify for the district’s gifted and talented class, ALERT. As your child progresses through the grades, the district looks at many pieces of data. This is just the first. There will be many opportunities for your child to show his/her giftedness.

As we do not have the Alert class at our school, the test is simply used for the district’s records and you will receive the results. Many of the kids did enjoy it and wanted to do it again. I included the district’s description as many of you probably heard the kids mention we took this “test” as they called it.

Tomorrow we will go on our field trip to the state museum. If you are coming, please bring your own lunch. A reminder to all parents that you have already selected either a home bagged lunch or school bagged lunch on the permission form. Please remember this when getting ready for school tomorrow.

We are going to be starting our first expert projects for the year this week. I’m sure you will remember that these are truly the product of the children’s work both inside and out of the classroom. They are written in their handwriting, share what they believe are the most important facts, and are selected by them. The theme of this project will be scientific inventions. We have just started brainstorming ideas together and they will share with you what they choose to present on at the end of the week. We look forward to sharing more about these projects and the ways in which we are living and learning in and out of the classroom.

That’s it for now but here are the upcoming dates:

Here are some upcoming dates to look out for:

February 28th- Field Trip to SC Museum

March 3rd- CFI Parents’ Night Out

March 10th- Sandhills Library

March 14th- Spring Pictures

March 16th- Curriculum Night