// Curriculum Update: First Week in December //

In Upper Elementary, the winter solstice is a time for us to turn within and find an appreciation for nature and the quiet of the darkest day of the year. Students learned about how the Earth’s position results in the solstice, and how ancient cultures celebrated this day with rituals. We spent time painting watercolor cards for residents of the Atrium, a local retirement community, which will be delivered before the winter break. In Readers’ Workshop, students met in small groups to share their notes about what they have found out about characters in The Westing Game. They will continue their note-taking in upcoming weeks to narrow down the suspect of Sam Westing’s murder in this mystery novel.  In Writers’ Workshop, students have been meeting with a teacher to help shape the trajectory of their memoirs. In History, many discussions have arisen around social justice in response to students’ reading about Hammurabi’s code. Students have talked about whether they agree or disagree with the punishments doled out for crimes in ancient Mesopotamia, and have come with alternative consequences they deem more fair or appropriate.