We saw a little bit of spring the last few days...and we sure did feel it in the classroom on Friday with all the sun and Valentines dance! I hope you all are getting outside this weekend to get the wiggles out as the students say.
7th Grade Parents - I forgot to send this out..do you want to come to the White Bird with us? Please let me know if you want to Chaperone this Wed 11-2...I just need a few. Thanks!
Also, 7th grader are starting to work on their 7th Grade Service Project. I'm sending home a hand out this week. It would be great to have a parent come in and support them a few times, do a check in, help with speeches etc.
Persuasive Essays are DUE TOMORROW! We have been working hard at writing an essay that flows, has voice and solid facts, that isn't repetitive and that is finished. Please take some time to read your child's essay and give some feedback. Ask guiding questions to help them improve their writing.
Along with the essays, we are wrapping up our Take Action Projects. Students are starting to implement and share their projects. Last week we had a group perform their song on climate change. They were great and very brave to get up and perform original work in front of their peers!
As we wrap up our Energy Unit, we move obviously into Medieval Ages (hahaha, not obvious at all)! However, the students are enjoying the change of pace. It is a 3 part unit.
1. Voyages - students will travel to all 7 classrooms to have experiences in different cultures and geography.
2. Culture Groups - Students are placed into culture groups where they will focus on one of the cultures: Imperial China, Japan, West Africa, Europe, Islam, The Americas. They will use the History Alive Text to learn about their group, then share with the rest of the class.
3. Expert Project - Students will choose one topic from Medieval Times to write a research paper (building off skills learned in the persuasive) and make a creative project that demonstrates their topic.
We will take a few field studies to support the Medieval Times - more to come on this.
OAKS Testing - We will take the OAKS Reading test next Monday & Tuesday. This week we'll review test taking strategies. I want you to know that the testing is optional. Please let me know in writing if you choose to not have your child test. Please be sure your child has eaten a good breakfast and has had a good night sleep. The tests are stressful for them and it's great to be supported. On that note, kids have been eating doughnuts for breakfast! It affects them hugely(and me!) Please help curb this. They already know that I do not allow high fructose corn syrup in my room. It's a battle, but in the classroom where they are confined - well, it's not a fun scene!
Take care and let me know if you would like to volunteer in the classroom.
