Week of January 21st Update

Good afternoon parents,

I hope you all have had a wonderful week. This is a longer email, but please read it as it has very important information regarding our upcoming project.

Next week in…

Reading: We will be reviewing various reading concepts that have been discussed throughout the year.

Word Work: Students will receive their lesson 11 vocabulary words on Tuesday. We will also begin discussing relative adverbs. Students will be assessed on this the following week. 

Writing: During the 3^rd 9 weeks, students will be learning about informational writing. This past week students were introduced to our new research project. Students will be working to complete a mobile museum. This project based learning activity will incorporate many subjects and will engage the students in the research and informational writing process. The students have already selected the animal they would like to research and become the expert on for our mobile museum. More information will be sent home.

Homework: Please make sure students are continuing to read each night for a minimum of 20 minutes. They should also be studying their vocabulary words and other grammar skill that is covered each week. As we approach the Milestones, students are encouraged to go on Education Galaxy to practice skills.

Due to the specific animals that students are researching, our school library does not have the books necessary for the research portion of our mobile museum project. Therefore, much of the research will have to be completed online. We are limited with our technology that is available in school, so I have told students that they may bring a device from home to use during this research process. Strict rules were given about the use of personal devices including that the devices should only be used for research. Browsing the internet for “fun” or games will not be tolerated. If students do not adhere to these rules, they will not be allowed to bring their devices back to school. A form was sent home with your child today, if they requested one, that must be completed before they may use the device in class. I am also attaching a copy of the form to this email. Students were also told that their devices are their responsibility and may only be used for research and not during recess or other times throughout the school day. I did tell them that bringing a device is not a requirement and it is up to you (the parents) to decide if you want to allow your child to have a device in school. We will certainly make arrangements for those students who do not have a device. On a similar note, if you have any old phones or tablets that you are no longer using and would like to donate to our classroom, we will graciously accept them. Old phones and tablets can be used to connect to the school’s Wi-Fi. Please let me know if you have any questions regarding this project or technology use.

Reminders:

• The school is selling shirts for Autism Awareness for $10. All proceeds will go towards buying supplies for the sensory room that our precious students with autism use on a daily basis. Information was sent home with your child this week.
• There is no school on Monday in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Please let me know if you have any questions. Have a nice, LONG weekend!