Dear Families,

This week in Social Studies, we will continue learning more about our great state of Colorado!

🌸 Research Project:
Students will continue researching facts about the columbine flower, the state flower of Colorado. We’ll explore its history, characteristics, and importance as a state symbol. Students will then present their findings to the class to practice speaking and presentation skills.

🏔 History Connection:
We’ll also begin to “jump back into history” by learning about the founding of Colorado—how our state began, who the early settlers were, and what made this area special.

💡 At Home Connection:

• Ask your child to share an interesting fact they’ve learned about the columbine flower.

• Look up other Colorado state symbols together (like the state bird or tree).

• Talk about what makes Colorado unique and why people choose to live here.

Thank you for supporting your child’s learning and curiosity about our state’s history and symbols!

Dear Families,

In social studies, we are continuing our study of the Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep—an amazing animal that lives in the mountain regions of North America. This week, our focus will be on learning about their diet, food sources, and behaviors that help them survive in their natural habitat.

Students will explore questions like:

• What do bighorn sheep eat, and how do they find food in the rocky mountains?

• How do their behaviors and physical features help them stay safe from predators?

• What makes them an important part of the mountain ecosystem?

Through reading, discussion, and activities, students will deepen their understanding of how animals adapt to their environment and the importance of protecting wildlife.

You can support learning at home by:

• Watching a short nature video or reading about mountain animals together.

• Asking your child to share an interesting fact they learned about bighorn sheep.

Thank you for your continued support and interest in what we’re learning in class!

Dear Families,

Welcome to Quarter 2! We’re excited to begin a brand-new unit in Social Studies as we shift our focus to the flora and fauna of Colorado.

This week, we will begin by learning about one of Colorado’s most iconic animals — the bighorn sheep. Students will explore where bighorn sheep live, how they survive in Colorado’s rugged environments, and why they are an important part of our state’s natural heritage.

Throughout this unit, students will build their understanding of Colorado’s diverse ecosystems and the plants and animals that call our state home.

How You Can Support at Home:

• Take time to explore nature in your area, noticing local plants and animals.

• Visit a Colorado wildlife website or watch a short nature documentary together.

• Encourage your child to ask questions about the natural world around them — curiosity is the first step in learning!

We’re looking forward to a great quarter filled with discovery and connection to our beautiful state.

As always, thank you for your support!

Dear Families,

This week in Social Studies, we will be learning all about Rocky Mountain National Park! Students will explore the park’s location, geography, wildlife, and its importance as a protected natural area. We’ll also discuss why national parks like this one are important to our country and how they help preserve natural beauty and wildlife for future generations.

This unit helps students connect with real-world geography and understand how we can care for the environment.

Ask your child:

• Where is Rocky Mountain National Park located?

• What animals and plants live there?

• Why do people visit national parks?

We encourage you to talk with your child about the beauty of our national parks. If you’ve ever visited one, feel free to share your experiences with them!

Thank you for your continued support in your child’s learning journey!

Dear Families,

Next week in Social Studies, we’ll continue our exciting journey through the geography of Colorado as we study the state's four main landforms:

• Great Plains

• Rocky Mountains

• Colorado Plateau

• Wyoming Basin

Students will explore the unique characteristics of each region, including the animals and plants that call these landforms home. We will also be completing a graphic organizer to help us compare and contrast the different regions and better understand how geography shapes life in Colorado.

🌄 Focus on the Mountains

We will also take a closer look at the Colorado Mountains, with a special spotlight on two of our tallest and most well-known peaks:

• Mount Elbert (the highest peak in Colorado)

• Mount Massive (the second-highest peak)

Students will learn key facts about these mountains, including their elevation, location, and what makes them significant to our state’s geography and history.

🏡 How You Can Help at Home

• Ask your child to share what they learned about each landform or mountain

• Look at a map of Colorado together and locate the four landform regions and mountain ranges

• Watch a short documentary or video clip about Colorado’s natural features

• Visit a local library or website to explore books or articles about Colorado geography

Thank you for supporting your child’s learning at home! We are excited to continue exploring our beautiful state and its diverse landscapes.

This week in Social Studies, we have an exciting mix of activities planned as we continue exploring our community and the state of Colorado.

Here’s what we’ll be working on:

• On Monday, we will focus on service learning, including a discussion about our classroom co-op and why it is important to our Westgate community.

• Students will also be presenting their Colorado city projects, which they worked on last week. Cities include Durango, Denver, Burlington, Fort Collins, and Grand Junction. We’re excited to see what each student has discovered about their chosen city!

• Later in the week, we will begin a new unit on the Colorado River, exploring its history, geography, and importance to our state and the region.

It’s going to be a great week of connection, presentation, and new learning!

As always, thank you for your support in helping bring these lessons to life for your child.

Hello Parents!

This week in Social Studies, we’ll be learning about four cities in Colorado: Denver, Burlington, Fort Collins, and Durango. Students will explore each city’s location, population, landmarks, and other key characteristics. We’ll also discuss different geographic tools that can help us understand these cities better.

It’s a great opportunity for students to connect with the geography of our state!