Dec. 11, 2017: News from Little Elk

Update Dec. 11, 2017

I dropped a pin. And I heard it. I went to the Practical Life shelf and found a pin, then dropped it to the floor. I didn’t think I would hear anything because of the carpeting. But I did. It was Silent Reading in Little Elk, 12:59 pm. The place was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. It was the sound of children engrossed in their books. 

Not that this was the first time that students have been deep in their stories. It’s happened many times. But today struck me because I had not once prompted them to read. Nor did I once prompt them to stop chatting or find a book. Everyone in the room independently chose their books and allowed themselves to be sucked in by their stories as if I were not even in the room! 

I mention this because this is what it looks like when children are becoming leaders. Next year, when we welcome fourth years into Little Elk, your 5th years will teach this routine to their younger peers—not because I ask them to. They will teach them just by doing it.

• Be sure to stop by the Geography Fair on Wednesday at 2:00 (until 3:00)!  Children have been working hard and will be sure to impress you with their knowledge and creativity. In addition to the projects in the other 3 classrooms, you will see the following in Little Elk:

• Nature in Mexico (Yami)
• Amazon River (Greta)
• Caves (Azalea)
• Two Rainforests Compared (Lilah)
• Greece (Scarlett)
• Gemstones (Henry)
• Amazon Rainforest (Will)
• Global Warming (Miles)
• Money Around the World (Emmett)
• The Sahara (Colton)
• Caves (Walter)
• Lake Baikal (Mikko)

Here’s a Little agreement about project displays: For every visual (illustration, map, graph, etc.) that is borrowed from a book or website for a project board, the student must produce one hand-created visual (illustration, map, graph, etc.). The ratio must be 1:1.

Also keep in mind that, if a student chooses to do some of their work at home, be sure that he or she is doing the work. Parental support can come in the guise of encouragement, a quiet setting, reading a text out loud, showing an interest and conversing about their topic, asking clarifying questions, even providing a snack. But please do not play a major role in the production of their work, whether it is a weekly homework assignment or a Science Fair.  

• We extend a warm welcome to Miles Hudson and his parents, Jeff Hudson and Sarah Hudson into Great River. Miles joined Little Elk a couple of weeks ago from Crossroads Montessori. If you have not met them yet, please try to do so!

• A Note from the Critter Cash Committee!

Dear UE Families, 

The last Critter Cash Committee bake sale was a great success, and we are hoping to keep our pets healthy and well-fed over the winter with another sale. Also, we have added some new pets to our UE critter family: two guinea pigs in Little Elk, Hazel and Cinnamon. More mouths to feed!

The next sale will be held this Friday, December 15th, 3:15-4:00pm in the Adolescent building (exact location TBA). If you would like to attend, we ask that you please pick your child up as usual and walk them over to the other building.

Students are invited to make crafts and/or bake treats at home to donate to our sale; we ask that they include ingredients of the treat. Participation is optional and proceeds from the sale will be shared among the UE classrooms.... Our students and pets thank you for generosity and support!