February ’23 Academic Update
February ’23 Academic Update
Principal Alana Haider • February 2023
Read about what’s happening at John Muir this month!
Questions? Please contact your child’s teacher or the front office: 206-252-7400. Erika and Helina are always happy to help! You may also email Alana Haider (principal) amhaider@seattleschools.org or Quinta Thomas (ass’t principal) aothomas@seattleschools.org
Team
Le
Clisham
CodyKramers
Language Arts
All kindergarten students receive a small group with targeted phonics, phonemic awareness and sight words at their individual level. They are working on blending words with a consonant vowel consonant pattern. We will be exploring non-fiction books, which include text features and the differences between fiction and non-fiction.
Envision Mathematics
We will be working on addition, subtraction, decomposing (breaking apart) numbers, and making ten. We are continuing to work on counting to 100.
Science, Social Studies (SEL)
In Social Emotional Learning, we will be learning about personal safety, touching safety, and assertiveness. In Science we are continuing to explore pushes and pulls, acting as engineers to build a model pinball machine. In Ethnic Studies, we will continue our identity unit through discussions about culture and race.
Team
Domingo
Harris
Kang
Language Arts
All first grade students receive a small group with target phonics, phonemic awareness and sight words at their individual level. They are working on blending words with more complex vowel and consonant blends.
Envision Mathematics
We are continuing our subtraction unit – thinking about various strategies when subtracting. We will then move onto more addition and subtraction practice.
Science, Social Studies (SEL)
In Social Emotional learning, we will continue Unit 3 (Empathy & Kindness). In Social Students students will learn about black history and work through our Black Lives Matter in Schools curriculum (Feb. 6-10). In Science, we will be learning about Light and Sound.
Team
Addish
Gray
Kovnat
Language Arts
Students are working on the comprehension strategy of wondering to more deeply understand texts. In writing, students continue to write nonfiction pieces on a topic of their choice.
Envision Mathematics
Students are continuing to work on one- and two-digit subtraction by using several strategies such as open number lines, compensation, hundred chart, break-apart, and place value blocks.
Science, Social Studies (SEL)
In Science, students are continuing to learn about plant and animal relationships.
In Social Studies, students will be introduced to the Black Lives Matter in Schools curriculum.
For SEL, students are focusing on different ways to stay safe, including the 8 Never-Never Rules and the 3 R’s (Recognize, Refuse, and Report).
Team
Arellano
Barnes
Vielbig
Language Arts
n Writing we have started a unit on Opinion Writing, with students learning to state an opinion and support their opinion with 3 reasons and to write a conclusion.
In Making Meaning we are on Unit 5 (Wondering & Questioning), Week 1. Focus is on hearing and discussing part of a narrative nonfiction book, identifying what they learn from the book, wondering and questioning about the book and referring to text to support their thinking.
Envision Mathematics
All three 3rd grade classrooms are in the process of completing Topic 5 – Fluently Multiply and Divide within 100 and are transitioning into Topic 6 – Connect Area to Multiplication and Division.
Science, Social Studies (SEL)
All 3rd grade classrooms have started the Science Unit for this quarter, Environment and Survival.
For SEL, all classrooms are working through the Child Protection Unit together.
In Social Studies we are transitioning from Identity to Power and Oppression
Team
Isakson/
Tamayo Jenkins
Language Arts
Unit 5: Making Inferences in Fiction & Poetry.
During this unit, the students visualize and make inferences to make sense of narrative text and poetry, and they continue to ask questions and analyze the text structure of narrative text.
Envision Mathematics
Use Strategies and Properties to Divide by 1-Digit Numbers:
In this topic, students will learn how to divide by one-digit divisors. Learning this skill will require their understanding of estimating quotients and, of remainders, and of connecting models and symbols. Students will practice dividing whole numbers by one-digit divisors using strategies other than the standard algorithm and checking that the answer is reasonable using estimation.
Science, Social Studies (SEL)
SEL: Unit 2- Emotional Mangement
During this unit students are learning about the importance of managing strong emotions. Fourth graders will discuss different ways strong emotions can influence their thoughts and actions. Toward the end of the unit students practice rethinking situations so they can feel calm and think more clearly. Rethinking means to think about something in a different way and see new aspects of it.
Team
Manuel
Prewitt
Language Arts
In writing, we are beginning an Expository Nonfiction unit. We will be researching nonfiction topics, taking notes, turning notes into paragraphs and revising our work.
In reading, we will be going through a unit about analyzing text structure in nonfiction texts and making connections to the books we read, as well as our expository nonfiction writing.
Envision Mathematics
In math, we will go through Topic 7 which teaches the students how to use equivalent fractions to add and subtract fractions. Students will build upon number sense knowledge, understanding of the four operations, and prior knowledge of fractions.
Science, Social Studies (SEL)
Science: In science we are going through a unit on the Earth Systems, focusing specifically on water systems. We will be exploring what causes raindrops to form and how droughts and other water shortages impact our world.
Social Studies: We will be having conversations about Black History and Black Lives Matter at School week of action during February 6-10. Some of these conversations will be brought in to SEL time as well.
SEL: We are discussing goal setting and how to challenge ourselves to be our best self, both inside and outside of school
Team
Trout
Grades K-1 are learning about the art and lives of Jean- Michel Basquiat and Faith Ringgold- and are looking at different ways to draw portraits and proportions. Second grade has started an architecture unit by learning about Islamic design and the Taj Mahal, then will learn about the art of Zaha Hadid and other architects that use nature as inspiration. Grades 3 –5 are exploring color theory with the art of Alma Thomas. We are also learning about how artists use their identities and symbols to create art inspired by the work of Jean Michel Basquiat.
Team
Burwell
Students in all grades continue to work on Digital Citizenship including how to be safe online, asking for permission, and cyberbullying.
Team
Prince
In music, we will all be exploring different music of Black composers and musicians. Fourth and fifth grade will also continue to talk about creating their own rhythms and melodies, and third grade is playing the recorder.
Team
Downs / Noriega
In PE, we completed a team handball unit for grades 2-5 with Mr. D and a basketball unit with Ms. Noriega. We are lucky to have Coach Carlos from Seattle United Soccer Club with us for a week in February at the start of our soccer unit. Coach Carlos is also the Varsity soccer coach at Garfield High School.