We have been busy here at kula.  Our haumåna have been up to all kinds of things.  Here’s what we’ve been doing:

Social Studies:  Wrapping up our digital projects on the moku of Hilo

Writing:  At different stages of the writing process as we write about A Slice of Life.  Some topics include:  Playing Baseball,  Going to Kona, My trip to get a Fureal, Disneyland

Mathematics: Wrapped up Unit 1 of Investigations.  Beginning Unit 2: Geometry: 2D Shapes (mahalo for cutting out shapes, it’s a huge help)  *Starting a few new projects

Reading: Phonics, “silent e”, Making Inferences, Connections,  Beginning to talk about Story Elements and Raz Kids

We also started our Aquaponics located in the back of our lånai.  We began by planting different kinds of lettuces earlier this week.  Most of our `Uala have taken off and are growing nicely.

Have a beautiful weekend!  Be safe and find time to aloha kekahi i kekahi!  I look forward to seeing all my keiki on Monday.

Love, Kumu Kaleo

Aloha kākou,

We are so fortunate to be having such beautiful weather, especially on campus. However, with the heat we need to be vigilant in having our keiki drink water.  I can use some kākoʻo in making sure your keiki brings a water bottle to school. I will be making sure that they are constantly drinking water both inside the class and from our fountain. Mahalo for your kokua.

Last week Thursday we took our huaka`i ma Hilo.  It was a beautiful day of walking, listening, learning and fun.  Mahalo to our parents and `ohana that came to køkua.

Hoʻomaikaʻi e Malachi and Paige. Both haumāna are exemplars to our first trimester Hawaiian Value Mālama. You can easily witness both keiki taking care of their kuleana, others and Pauahi’s vision. We are proud of you both.   Mahalo to their ʻohana for making time to attend lunch with their keiki.            I mua!!!!

We have added three (3) bonus words to this weeks’ spelling list. The words are:

1. kilo: to observe
2. coconut
3. tsunami

These are optional words that your keiki may choose in addition to their original eight (8). These bonus words will highlight or coincide with our curriculum or what we may be doing in a particular subject area. In this case they are taken from our Social Studies. The original eight are usually always related to phonics, consonant clusters, short or long vowel sounds. They also coincide with our guided reading and comprehension strategies. You may encourage your keiki to do the bonus words but PLEASE DO NOT require them. We want young children to feel successful and accept challenges individually. If I see a need for a particular child to be challenged I will encourage him/her to do the bonus words.

In our study of Hilo we read the mo`olelo of how Hilo got its name.  We learned how hilo means to twist and that using the Ti-leaf was a way to twist.  We were so fortunate to have `Anakala Kawika and Ka`imi from our groundskeeping division come into the classroom and share their `ike on the ti-leaf plant.  They showed us how to målama the plant, pick it and even propagate it.  We concluded our lesson by working in pairs and practiced “hilo-ing” the leaves.  It was such a great afternoon.  Mahalo nui e Uncle Kawika and Uncle Ka`imi.

Yes!!!!  We were overjoyed today!!  We were visited by our1:1 iPad project team:  Ms. Richardson, Ms. Cordeiro, Uncle Kyle, Mrs. Iaea-Honda, and our new Technology teacher, Ms. Galang.  They rolled out and gave us our iPads today.  We began with some basic review of expectations.  In addition, we had to play and explore new and old apps.  In first grade we definitely use the iPad on multiple levels.  Here is to new learning, sharing and thinking for all of us!!!

In the writing process, the exciting time comes when we are able to share our published piece.  The Author’s Chair provides our keiki an opportunity to take pride in their writing and to share what they have written.  The goal is to get keiki to feel comfortable with the thoughts that they have put on paper.  Here are a few photos of haumåna that have been to the Author’s Chair.

I hope that everyone had a nice long Labor Day Weekend!  Mahalo nui to all the `ohana that were able to attend our Open House last week Thursday. The turn-out was greatly appreciated.  We were able to go over our first grade curriculum and expectations, have conversations and explore our keikis classroom.  But most importantly we got to begin creating positive pilina with one another.  For those who were unable to attend and may have some questions, please contact me and I will be more than happy to have a conversation with you.  Have a great week.  BTW- the keiki love their messages you wrote them and the video we created.