Laurel Creek 2012-2013: February 4th-8th

Lions, Wontons, and Whales! Oh My!

As Ben and I look back at this week, we breathe a simultaneous sigh of wonder for all the engaged, productive, and enthusiastic moments we witnessed in Laurel Creek.

This was truly a week of "We couldn't have done it without you!" as several parents, lead by the intrepid Sherri Hsi, brought in the necessary supplies and parent-power-- so students could observe, touch, and smell an entire Gray Whale Skeleton; so students could prepare for this Monday's parade by decorating boxes and streamers to make Lion Heads; so students could make and consume delectable and authentic Wontons.

Julianne showing examples of Lions in Chinese New Year Parades.

Students drawing their own lions.

Reading a Chinese New Year book.

Whole School Assembly.

Tracing bodies (later used to measure a whale!)

Strawberry Park with our Strawberry Creek buddies.

Preview Movie of how the Gray Whale carcass was found and the bones saved.

The Gray Whale Skeleton was an amazing opportunity to get up-close and personal with a giant from the deep. Our Skeleton host Dan was knowledgeable, accommodating, and good humored. Students sketched the whale bones, measured them using their own body lengths, and pondered questions such as "Why do Whales get Beached?" or "I wonder why such a big animal has such tiny vertebrae at the end?"

We did get to some regular work, and are continuing to practice Reading Workshop behavior, which we explained on an Expected/Unexpected behaviors during Reader's Workshop poster.

Our Chinese New Year Preparations and Festivities included Read Aloud Stories explaining the holiday and the Chinese Zodiac, much decorating, and many many wontons.

To end the week, We concluded our reading of The Minpins by Roald Dahl by writing and drawing a response to the prompt, "If I was 1 inch tall, I would..." Many of the responses involved large bugs.