It is hard to believe the holiday season is already upon us. I would like to take this time to wish you all a very happy holiday and a joyous new year! It is truly a pleasure working with each and everyone of you and your wonderful children. I look forward to to our next several months working together as we prepare for your child's transition to Middle School!
We have a busy and exciting week planned ahead. Below are a couple reminders of some of our exciting events:
Tuesday - 7pm - Meet us for caroling at the Selkirk fire hall. All are invited!!
Wednesday - We will make holiday houses in class - thank you for your $3.00 donation for materials
Thursday - Join us for December's learning luncheon 12:05 - 12:55 - be sure to bring a lunch. During
our luncheon you will have a chance to read your child's chocolate milk argumentative essay
(in draft form) and we will make some snowflakes to help get us in the holiday spirit.
Friday - We will have our class Winter Party! - Thanks for the donated treats!
This year's holiday break is 12/21/13 - 1/5/13.
Writing Update: Last week we started a new writing unit, argumentative essay. On Monday I assigned the children their first task: Should chocolate milk be served in our school cafeteria? Each child of course had an opinion and shared their thoughts with their writing buddy. They then had to research the facts behind the debate. The children read several articles supporting different sides of the chocolate milk debate. They then had to take notes on the articles and then organize their findings. Now that they were educated, I asked them to write an essay based upon their findings and opinion. The children had to write a thesis statement and then support their claim using research. I am incredibly impressed with the children's essays - they really did a fantastic job! This week we will revise the essay drafts in school. We hope you can join us at Thursday's learning luncheon so that you have a chance to read your child's drafts.
Social Studies Update: This past week we also started a new social studies unit, American history. I teach this unit like I am telling a story, the American history story. I explain the big events in our history using documents, textbooks, short videos, and so much more. After I tell the children about the event and they have a chance to share all that they know, I then ask them to summarize what they just learned. This summary acts as their notes. I find this way of teaching this unit to be a lot more exciting and beneficial for the children. We started with learning the history of the Indigenous People of America and will study to around the history of the Civil Rights Movement. Look for an American history at home project coming home after break.
Have a great week and enjoy your break!
Thanks,
Andrew
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