Mrs. Bustamante Homeroom Newsletter-January 5

• We finished the Landforms Investigation 1 of making a model of the school and surrounding area.  This model will lead us into erosion and deposition on a small scale with the stream flow tables. We talked about we couldn’t sit on the edge of the Grand Canyon and watch erosion and deposition for a million years!
• I will also be emphasizing the conservation of water as we work in this science unit.  Water is a precious resource here in Colorado.  Our work in conservation will culminate in a at home project on water conservation.  I have not set a date yet, as I like to see if any of the other teachers have projects/test in literacy or math.  Don’t want to overload the kids too much.
• In Colorado history we will be learning about the Utes, Cheyenne, and Arapahoe.  There will be an in class project for this study.  My goal is for the class to understand their oral traditions, family life, their contributions to Colorado, and tolerance and understanding of another culture.  We have Jack “Mato” (bear) Cardinal coming to speak to us on January 13 about his Cree culture.
• Thanks to the parents that made our Winter Break party so wonderful!
• Conference slips sent home.  Conferences will be on a “as needed basis”.  We will request to see some students, but please feel free to request a conference if you have a concern.

Mrs. Bustamante Newsletter December 15

Homeroom

 

We began studying the Ute Indians of Colorado by discussing that they have been in Colorado for centuries and they live in Colorado still. I read to them a Ute legend called Coyote Steals A Blanket.  We talked about stories and why they might be told.  This will lead us into the concept of oral history. They compared the area of Ute land at the time of the coming of the Europeans to what the area Ute land looks like today--The Ute Indian Reservation and the Southern Ute Indian Reservation. We have the model of the school done and will finish with the mapping of the school using a grid today.  They will also complete their Investigation One Journal this week. They took the water test last Friday.  I will continue to talk about water during our unit of water erosion, especially the conservation of water in Colorado. Wednesday, the ¾ team will have a rotation of Native American activities. Our Winter Break Party...

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