Hello families!
Here are the updates for this week:
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
We talked about the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr this week. We read the book, Martin’s Big Words, and we listened to a Kid President video about Martin Luther King. Mrs. Giles shared a couple videos about Martin Luther King, and we heard Stevie Wonder sing Dr. King a birthday song. We also participated in an activity called, “Moving On,” where students traced both their feet. On one foot, students wrote what privileges they enjoy because of Martin Luther King’s legacy, and on the other foot, they wrote what they will do to keep his work moving forward.
Below are two links with various MLK programming activities on Monday.
MLK Children and Youth Program
PE Equipment
For PE next Friday, January 22, the students will be learning about hockey, and they will need some equipment from home.
For the stick: hockey stick, pool noodle, golf club, broom, or tennis racquet
For the puck: tennis ball, golf ball, sock rolled up, or balloon
For a cone: a plastic cup
Teacher’s College Videos
The Teacher’s College Reading and Writing Project at Columbia University has created some videos for families that provide wonderful information on supporting your children in literacy and virtual learning. I will post 1-2 videos over the next few weeks in my newsletter. I think you will find them informative!
How to Get Your Child Interested in Reading
Ways to Help Your Child Develop a Strong Vocabulary
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This week we learned how to respectfully disagree with others, and we practiced what that would look like. We also learned how to use I-Messages when we are frustrated. An I-Message allows someone to express concern with another person, without making them feel defensive. Ask your child how to use an I-Message.
Math
We continued with Unit 5 this week and focused on multiplication. Students learned about recognizing multiplication helper facts, doubles facts, and patterns in products. To practice their multiplication facts, students can work on the xtramath.org web site and they can practice their math fact fluency.
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We are continuing with our Nonfiction/Informational reading unit. This week, students learned how to locate main idea sentences within paragraphs. They learned how to support the main idea with key details from the text. They learned strategies to read and understand nonfiction text, and they learned how to understand the meaning of unfamiliar vocabulary words. Please encourage your child to read 20+ minutes per day and work towards their CORE5 goal.
Social Studies
This week, we continued with our History unit. Students learned about how the Native Americans, including the Three Fires Tribe, used the environment to meet their basic needs. We learned about European arrival, and students listened to the book, Encounter by Jane Yolen, which helped them to understand the Native American’s early encounters with Europeans.
Word Study
For Word Study this week, students learned about triple blends such as scr, str and spr, as in screen, strong and spring. Sometimes 3 letter blends make 3 individual sounds as in screen, and sometimes 3 letter blends only make 2 sounds, such as in shrimp. Ask your children about the different words that have these blends and encourage them to find those words in books or around the house.
To Jaime Moore, Drew’s mom, for helping us with our math lesson on Friday.
1/18/21 – MLK Day – NO SCHOOL