Pre-Conference Questionnaire (for Little Elk Parents)

The purpose of this form is to provide a tool for families to share reflections and observations with the guide. As we will have a limited amount of time during conferences—and as 5th and 6th year students lead their conferences—I would like to provide parents an opportunity to share observations and feedback electronically. This can help us make good use of the short time we have together, and keep our conference focused on your student's work. 

Sharing reflections also helps adults get to know each other and better support the child.  Filling out this form is not required, but I would greatly appreciate hearing from you by Wednesday, November 28. Thank you in advance for your time and effort.

the link—  https://goo.gl/forms/pnMjYMoLht93RXRR2

Thank you!

Just here to report that the potluck feast was a big hit. Thank you for all your contributions!

Happy Thanksgiving,

John & Seth

Wednesday's Thanksgiving Lunch

Tomorrow in Little Elk River students have offered to bring in some food to share, in honor of Thanksgiving. Please know that this is entirely optional. Not only because we have given you almost zero-notice (!), but because it would be optional anyways. 

If your child has time to prepare a treat/dish, and.you can support them with ingredients, supplies, etc., then please use this opportunity to share some fun time in the kitchen (or grocery store). If not, no worries! 

Everyone in Little Elk will be invited to eat whatever we pull together, whether they were able to contribute or not. 

Just to give you a heads up, here are some of the ideas that people offered (and remember, this is not a commitment, just a list of ideas).  

Lilah: salad

MacKenzie: Cornbread

John: Bread and butter

Henry F: Honey & cranberry scones

Taya: Biscuits and gravy

Colton: Quiche

Hugh: Mashed potatoes

Henry W.: Mashed potatoes

Mikko: Stuffing

Walter: Chorizo Muffins

Audra: Cinnamon muffins

Yami: Flan

Scarlett: something chocolatey

If you do bring food, remember to keep it peanut-free. We have access to outlets, if you want to send something to plug in. However, keeping it warm in something insulated is even easier. 

You may want to send your child with a small lunch tomorrow anyways, just in case. 

Thank you! 

PS> I will be sending you a pre-conference form via email in the next couple days, so you can be looking for that. 

John

 

If not, your child 

we will all eat whatever 

Little Elk River Update (Wed. Nov. 14)

A Little Elk River Update (Wed. Oct. 14, 2018)

• We've been emphasizing the need to be productive during our Work Periods. How do you keep working for 3 hours (8:15-11:15 am) and remain productive? This is the question. The key, I think, is to choose interesting, challenging and appropriate work. When you do this—and as you develop your ability to focus on a task and persist through obstacles—working on things that give you a personal sense of satisfaction becomes more and more natural over time. This is what we are practicing.

• As the temperature drops, be sure to remind students to dress warmly (hat gloves, boots).

• Please make sure that your child has indoor shoes and wears their outdoor shoes home. For the preservation of our carpet and primarily because  Montessori students do a lot of work on the floor, students are expected to wear a clean indoor shoe in class. If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know.

• Be sure to welcome our newest work partner, Hugh Kesselring, and his mom Chrissy Kesselring, when you have the chance!  Hugh joined us last week from Roseville Area Schools and some home-schooling. That rounds out our 22 this year!

• Observe Little Elk in Action: Observations on Wednesdays, 9:00 am. You may sign up right here….

• Homework: I have been impressed by all the skill-building and home-front activities students are choosing for homework! The pictures you send in are great, too. I don't have a great way of consistently printing off your photos as our color printer is on the other side of the school. However, I will try to collect them and could always make a slideshow at the end of the year. 

• If a child looses homework or is absent on the Wednesday that I hand it out, please encourage your child to take responsibility for getting it. They can simply say, "John, can I please get this week's homework?" I always keep extra handouts in the room for those situations. I will be handing out new homework tomorrow (Wed., Nov. 14) and it will be due (Nov. 28).

• Off-Campus Thursdays: Thursdays, 1:00 are a time when we can leave campus to visit a park or a library. This Thursday we will head to McMurray Fields for some large-motor activity!

• Silent Read: As I wrote last month, please ask your child what they are reading in Silent Reading. If they are not excited with their book, please help them find one they like. Without a library at GRS, I need your support! Thank you!

• Conferences are just a few weeks away, and students will be preparing to share their work and goals with you. Please keep an eye out for a pre-conference e-mail detailing the general flow of conferences, as well as some questions to consider discussing with your child at home. We look forward to seeing you there!

In partnership,

John

Photo Retakes tomorrow, 9 am

For those interested, photo retakes are at 9:00 tomorrow (Monday Nov 12).

Homework due Nov. 13

Good morning, here's the homework assignment that was passed out last week, which is due next Tuesday, Nov. 13. 

Let me know if you have any questions.

John