Hello all,
“Letter T is for T-Rex Week” was certainly the most Tubular, Terrific, and Tremendous week of the 2017-2018 school year yet! The students entered school each day with what seemed like Trillions of Letter T shares! Everything from Tie-dye to Turtles, Trains to Tigers, and of course, all things T-Rex were sent in and shared! There were Tons of Letter T books that were sent in including Tickle The Duck by Edward Long and Listen To My Trumpet by Mo Willems! Well, “Letter T is for T-Rex Week” has come and gone. Read on below to discover the learning that took place and fun that was had throughout the week!
The students spent Monday and Tuesday morning working one on one with the teachers to complete their Letter T identification/fine motor activity sheets. The teachers were so impressed with how easily the new students recognized the letter T and also how well the older students remembered all things “T” during their morning work! In the afternoon on Monday and Tuesday, the students created the twentieth letter list of the year! As a whole group, the students took turns brainstorming and contributing words that begin with the letter T and also hunted around the classroom for letter T items! With what seemed like Tons of letter T items to be found inside PPA, the letter T list was full of many more answers than other less common letter-weeks prior! Take a look at the list that Tuesday’s group came up with!
How many letter T shares do YOU see?
Answer: T-Rex, Thor, Telephone, Truck and Tractor!
On Wednesday morning, the classroom was abuzz with some T-rrific news! A fossil had been found at PPA! This fossil was a “real” dinosaur fossil! The teachers showed the fossil photographed below to the students and explained that many, many years ago when the dinosaurs became extinct, the dinosaurs were covered by many layers of dirt and rocks over a very long time. Like a stamp, the dinosaur bones were pressed into the ground leaving marks in the Earth. Scientists known as paleontologists, dig very deeply into the ground to uncover these fossils or bones to help learn more about the dinosaurs. For instance, take a look at this fossil pictured below.
What can you tell about the shape of this dinosaur? Was he a tall dinosaur or a short dinosaur? Did he have a smooth body or a spiky body? By answering these questions, you are doing exactly what a real paleontologist (dinosaur- and all things old – scientist) does! Way to go!
For their morning work, the students recreated fossils using clay and some plastic dinosaurs. In a day or so, the fossils will be entirely dry and ready to take home!
Can you tell which dinosaur created this fossil? Here is a hint – it had wings!
(Answer: Pterodactyl)
During the afternoon, the students had Spanish class and then they participated in a technology presentation all about – you guessed it – the T-Rex! They looked at real photographs from excursions and digs and even learned a few fun songs! Here are two that they loved!
On Thursday, the students created their very own Tyrannosaurus Rex art project! Take a look see how the T-Rex project was assembled!
Also on Thursday (and Friday), the teachers participated in Spanish class where they continued to explore their vocabulary from the unit – “Mi Cuerpo” (My Body). In Music class, the students were introduced to some Letter T instruments including Triangles, Tom-Tom Drums, Tambourines, and Tapping Toes! During group activity time, the students Took Turns performing with various T instruments for their classmates. They were all Tremendous!
The students took a break from T-Rex on Friday to discuss the Irish holiday, St. Patrick’s Day, which would occur this Saturday! The teachers also felt this would be the perfect opportunity to show the students just how delicious all things GREEN can be! The teachers explained that the students would be making Shamrock Shake Smoothies! In small groups, the students were given scoops and measuring cups to add all of the ingredients (spinach, avocados, mint leaves, bananas, blueberries, vanilla yogurt and ice) in a big blender. With a quick push of a button, those delicious ingredients blended together to create a yummy green smoothie that was clearly enjoyed by all! What a terrific treat for “Letter T Week”!
Well, that is all for “Letter T is for T-Rex Week”. As always, thank you for reading! Have a wonderful, fun, and safe weekend!
-PPA
REMINDERS:
Upcoming School Closing:
Spring Recess
School Closed Friday, March 30th – Friday, April 6th
THEME FOR NEXT WEEK:
