Hello families!
Here are the updates for this week:
Virtual School Peaks and Valleys
Students and families have experienced virtual school for many months now. There are many positives that the students have shared with each other…being close to their families and pets, taking more breaks, snacking during learning, learning from cozy spots, having the time to create stories, videos, crafts and projects, and having a strong classroom community since we are all on screen all day together! However, it definitely has its challenges. Students often experience more stress during online school for various reasons. I do not want students to feel undue stress because of school. While it’s important to me that they are learning each day, there are times when school can feel overwhelming for them. Student well being comes first. As parents, feel free to make choices about the work load that you would like your children to carry, so that they are not too stressed. If you have questions about assignment completion or the work in general, please email me anytime.
Science Olympiad
In Mrs. Giles newsletter this week, she shared some information about Science Olympiad. Science Olympiad is a wonderful opportunity for your children to learn about science topics and pique their curiosity. Below are some links with more information.
- If your child(ren) is interested in participating in February, please email Penney Kunkle–penegonz@umich.edu.
- The general Science Olympiad information can be found here, including each monthly theme: https://wesoscience.org.
- Click here to view recent flier
Author Visit
On Friday during lunch time, students had the opportunity to participate in a webinar with the author, Josh Funk. He has written several books such as It’s Not Hansel and Gretel and It’s Not Jack and the Beanstalk. He answered student questions about being a writer. He had a great takeaway for the students, and that is this: Every author starts with a good story, and to find a good story, you have to read a LOT and read EVERYTHING…fiction, nonfiction, graphic novels, comics, etc. Then you’ll find your stories!
Teacher’s College Videos
Here are two new videos from The Teacher’s College Reading and Writing Project at Columbia University.
How to Have Conversations with Kids About Books
Letter Writing at Home with Everyday Materials
Asynchronous Wednesday Specials Learning Opportunities
Students have asychronous learning time from 1:30-3:00 each day and all day on Wednesdays. In addition to their Schoology assignments, the specials teachers each have a Schoology course that is accessible to your children. They provide additional activities for students. Feel free to encourage your child to look at the Music, PLTW, PE, Library, and Art Schoology links for additional enrichment.
Family Tech Support
Monday – Friday: 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Families can always submit a help request through family_techsupport@aaps.k12.mi.us.
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This week we learned about using our social and emotional skills to work together and solve problems. Students listened to different scenarios, and then offered some solutions to the problems. We have such a kind and caring class, and it’s great to hear the ways that students would solve some of these challenging problems.
Math
We had a week of review for Unit 5 this week. We reviewed fractions and multiplication strategies, and then we took our Unit 5 math assessment. Students are making great progress in using strategies to solve multiplication facts! Try asking your child some x2, x5, and x10 multiplication problems. Then, give them harder facts, and see if they can use a helper fact to get the answer!
We are continuing with our Nonfiction/Informational reading unit. This week, students learned about cause and effect nonfiction text structures, they practiced using graphic organizers to organize their thinking, they learned the difference between narrative informational, hybrid informational and informational text. Readers also learned to use what they know about characters to study real people in biographies. 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 the effect of the War of 1812 on Michigan, and how Michigan changed after the War of 1812. Students also learned how Michigan achieved statehood. Finally, students learned how writers of historical fiction journals prepare to write and how they use narration. We will be working on writing historical fiction diary entries next week.
Word Study
For Word Study this week, students learned about final e: –CE, –VE, –ZE. Examples are chance, move and freeze. We learned that sometimes the E at the end of the word is not part of the vowel pattern. We learned it makes the c soft in words such as dance. E always follows words ending in V and it usually follows Z. Ask your children to tell you some words that follow each of these patterns.
2/8 – National African American Parent Involvement Day (NAAPID)
2/10 – Virtual Science Game Night, 4:00 pm
2/12 and 2/15 – NO SCHOOL – Mid-Winter Break