April was a busy and meaningful month filled with learning, creativity, and connection.
Our third graders spent the week focused on their state tests. They worked with great concentration and perseverance—we are so proud of their efforts and want to extend a big congratulations to them!
This month, our class also had a special opportunity to connect with another class in China. We watched their self-introduction videos, and the children were excited to find that the students there also want to make new friends. This exchange sparked a lot of interest, and we look forward to continuing our cultural exploration together.
In honor of Earth Day, the children wrote heartfelt letters to our planet, expressing their appreciation and care. They also began a new art project this month, letting their creativity flow through hands-on work.
We were lucky to watch two amazing plays performed by the Upper Elementary students. The children truly enjoyed the performances and were inspired by the storytelling and acting.
Academically, the children stayed engaged and continued making progress:
• First graders continued exploring measurement in math. They worked with materials such as the color bead bars for multiplication, the stamp game for division, the large bead frame for addition, and the checkerboard. They also studied different types of lines. In language, they learned about adjective transposition, verb grammar boxes, and studied antonyms. In science, they planted seeds, learned how to care for plants, observed the growth process, created personal “My Life Timelines,” and learned the origins of the names of the days of the week.
• Second graders delved into deeper mathematical concepts such as multiples, prime numbers, the distributive law, group division, decimal fractions, and long multiplication. They also practiced solving word problems and worked with fractions. In language, they continued their grammar and sentence analysis work. They participated in weekly novel studies and writing sessions, focusing on letter and story writing. In science, they conducted air experiments, learned how wind forms, studied the classification of leaves, explored how sunlight affects the Earth (perpendicular and oblique rays), and learned about the fundamental needs of humans. They also explored the concept of unequal days and nights and the main functions of plant stems.
• Third graders studied the concept of squares and explored new lessons using the cube material in math. In language, they continued working on grammar and sentence analysis. They also participated in novel studies and recently finished reading one book and began another. In writing, they practiced letter writing and continued refining their expression. In science, they learned about 24-hour day/night cycles at the poles and parts of a stem.
In art and music, they learned about the concept of space, the tones high and low, the musical staff, and the note names on the staff.
As we look ahead, it’s hard to believe that next month marks the final stretch of the school year. The children have come so far—they’ve worked hard, grown in countless ways, and supported one another through every challenge. Their efforts, curiosity, and kindness have made this classroom a joyful and inspiring place. We are deeply grateful for each of them, and we look forward to celebrating their learning and accomplishments in our final month together.
Ms. Hellen and Ms. Bahareh
