Hello Little Elk Parents,
I have a little time between conferences so I wanted to send out an update.
The Geography Fair has been moved up a day to Wednesday, Dec. 13 (2:00-3:00), so please revise your calendars. At conferences I am sending home a small packet about the Geography Project. This copy is to keep at home, for your reference. You may also notice that your child's homework this week, in addition to math, is to complete the Geography Project Planning Doc.
This weekend's homework may involve going to the public library, if at all possible! Sign them up and get your junior researcher a public library card, if they don't have one already. This way they will be able to request books from here at school, and pick them at a library of your choosing. All they need is their Library Card number (written down somewhere handy) and the 4-digit PIN.
If you do not make it to the library this weekend, I recommend sitting down with your child at your favorite digital device and helping your student locate three resources from within your public library system.
Last month I said that I would say something more about the writing process. I have decided, instead, to give you a copy of the Writing Process steps that I use with students. We stick to this research/writing process as much as possible. Due to the unfortunate timing of the Winter Solstice (as provided by the Gregorian Calendar), we have a very short time to prepare this Geography Project. In this case, the process is going to be rushed a little bit. If your child feels a bit harried at all over the next month, I would say that it's probably very natural to feel the squeeze of these due dates. They have likely never produced a big work in this short time period before. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Nuts & Bolts
• A reminder to double check and make sure that your student has indoor shoes here at school. In such a small space, with a lot of work happening on the floor, boots in class become very problematic. Thank you!
• We do not wear boots, gloves or winter jacket. If someone is cold in the morning, they should wear a sweater, sweatshirt or even a light fleece jacket. They can keep this here at school (on their hook) if they choose.
• Life Celebrations
At the Little Elk Council meeting students decided on a routine for their Life Celebrations. (In contrast with a birthday celebration, these will not correspond to the week or month of your child's birthday.) On the week that is assigned to your child, he or she will have the option to participate in some or all of the following:
(Keep in mind that none of these are required!)
Mini-Me Monday: Bring in 2-3 photos (or a small album) of your childhood to share with the class
Treat Tuesday: Bring a healthy treat to share with the class
Wild Wednesday: Choose a song to sing with the class
Throwback Thursday: Bring an object to share with the class (Show & Tell)
Freedom Friday: Sit where you want at Lunch.
These are the weeks selected for each child. Please let me know if that week will not work for your family:
Azalea: Mon., November 27
Greta: Mon., January 8
Will: Mon., January 22
Emmett: Mon., February 5
Mikko: Mon., February 26
Lilah: Mon., March 19
Colton: Mon., April 9
Henry: Mon., April 23
Scarlett: Mon. April 30
Walter: Mon., May 7
Yami: Mon., May 14
• If you haven't heard, the Geography Fair has a new date! Wed. Dec. 13, 2017 @ 2:00 pm
If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out.
John
