Red Folders came home today - please look through them and return on Monday the 23rd.
Also, don't forget the GUATEMALA Map is due on Monday.
Friday, Nov. 20, 2009
Dear Families of Room 22:
It is with great excitement and anticipation that I share this with you all. I am going to India!
Many of you may recall, from last year, I am serving on the board of the Gandhi Worldwide Education Institute, an organization developed by my friend, Arun Gandhi, the grandson of Mahatma Gandhi. The institute is focusing on aiding means to build a school for the children of the untouchable population who live in severe poverty.
In serving on this board, I have been asked to offer my expertise in writing a peace curriculum that is rooted in Gandhian principles and philosophy. It is in connection with this project that I will be traveling to India so I can learn and experience, first hand, about Gandhis life through the Gandhi Legacy Tour.
During this time I will also be meeting with the founder and teacher of the AVANI school, which is the site of our first endeavor.
As you can imagine, as an educator, this is an incredible (possibly once in a lifetime) opportunity. The richness of this experience will not only benefit the institute, as I am looking forward to sharing my experiences, learnings and developing curriculum with the district. I am envisioning many opportunities for connections to be made through our curriculum with the students, fellow teachers and others.
I will be traveling over the winter vacation and will return mid-January. During my absence, Leslie Shank (retired and beloved 4th grade teacher of Hubbard Woods) will be substituting for me during the first two weeks of January.
I thank you in advance for your support and understanding.
Warmly,
Joanna Amaral
SCREWDRIVER (if we don't have it yet)
30 min. reading
Spelling Unit pp. 74 & 75 - due Friday
Math Arrays - due Friday
TFK - due Thursday.
Thanks,
Mrs. A
*******************************
Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2009
Reminders:
Please have your child bring in a flathead - standard screwdriver with name labeled on handle ASAP. We will be needing it later this week.
Also, if your child's "home folder" (the white glossy one) is getting a bit shabby, I am encouraging the kids to purchase a new one of their own liking. I just ask that it be a durable - "poster board" paperweight quality and to see me once they have it, so I can create a good label for them.
Finally, if you are planning to be out of town before or after the Thanksgiving holiday, please inform me.
Thanks.
Today's homework:
30 min. reading
Spelling - Unit 11 pp. 72 & 73 (due Wed.)
Math - yellow worksheet - due Wed.
Map & word Ladder worksheet - due Wed.
TFK - finish reading (double issue - can be used toward 30 min. reading credit) and do the green worksheet - due Thursday.
It was good to see many of you Sat. eve. Thank you to the Robinsons for a wonderful time.
Tonight's homework:
30 min. reading
Spelling - Unit 11 pp. 72 & 73 (due Wed.)
Math - blue worksheet - due Tues.
Map & word Ladder worksheet - due Wed.
Music of Dolphins - due Tuesday.
It has been great to meet with each of you over these past two weeks. I always appreciate taking the time to examine each child so closely. It re-informs and reinforces my teaching practices and expands my ability to differentiate.
We went to see the play THE MAGIC OFRENDA on Tuesday - it was wonderful. The feedback I received from the kids was that they felt that the play helped to bring a better understanding of what they have been learning in Spanish. Thank you, Sra. Hearn!
As you have all seen and probably been working with, the Maya Math has been an area of focus this week. I know it has been a bit difficult and confusing for some kids. I've been very proud with how hard they have all worked with it and feel like it has been a good pre-curser to the upcoming double digit multiplication. I don't expect them all to master Maya math, but playing around with these codes and numbers has certainly been a good exercise in creating a more flexible brain between the math functions.
We finished the LANDRY NEWS and have begun a new book called THE MUSIC OF DOLPHINS. This is a beautiful book about a "feral" girl who was raised by dolphins and was found. She is rehabilitated into the human world and develops language and music skills. It is rich with vocabulary and content for us to engage into deep conversations.
I have seen a few Guatemala maps coming in for check up - they are all looking incredibly nice! I am so impressed! They are not due until Monday the 23rd, but children can hand them in early or bring them in for a check-up before.
Next week, we will finish the movie series The VOYAGE of the MIMI. Then we will be entering into a related art project.
I NEED YOUR HELP! - Each child will be 'carving' their own glyph out of plaster. I need each child to bring in a standard screwdriver for this project. Please label your screwdriver with your name on a piece of masking tape and put a cork on the end of it for safe travel to and from school. All screwdrivers will be returned at the end of this project.
With the Thanksgiving Holiday just around the corner, please be sure to notify me if your child will be absent.
Enjoy the weekend. I hope to see you at the Robinson's tomorrow evening.
*30 min. reading
*Spelling - Unit 10 pp. 68 & 69 - due Fri. (study for test!)
*Orange Maya math sheet - due Fri. (encourage them to do their best - I know it is hard, but the multi steps are great practice for upcoming double digit multiplication) There is also a white sheet that helps to explain the steps.
*Music of Dolphins - read and do worksheet - due Tues of next week.
Again, if children want to bring in their map of Guatemala and get it checked for progress "so far" it might be a good idea - I'll send them back immediately.
Don't forget the cocktail party at the Robinson's on Saturday night!
Today we heard from a veteran who helped give us a wonderful perspective of what it means to serve the country and how hard it can be on his family. I hope your children can share this with you.
Tonight's homework:
30 min. reading
Spelling - Unit 10 pp. 68 & 69 - due Fri.
White Maya math sheet - due Thurs.
TFK - finish reading and do worksheet - due Thurs.
Music of Dolphins - read and do worksheet - due Tues of next week.
Also, if children want to bring in their map of Guatemala and get it checked for progress "so far" it might be a good idea - I'll send them back immediately.
Just a reminder that tomorrow is our Spanish Field Trip - so if I do not have your permission slip, be sure it comes in with your child tomorrow.
In light of the fact that we will be leaving early (10:00 AM) and not returning until 2:00, we will need to eat lunch in the classroom. I am suggesting that the kids have a LARGE lunch packed and they can eat 1/2 of it before we go and 1/2 of it when we return. So, please pack food accordingly to help their tummies hold out.
Tonight's homework:
30 min. reading - Fantasy book
Spelling - pp. 66 & 67 - due Wed.
Math - tan worksheet - due Tues.
I wanted to inform you of what to expect in our conference. It's not much different from what I have done in the past, but now it is "official". In our conference I will be sharing my perspective and I will have some exhibit of work samples. There will be some relevant data shared, too. Finally, we will collaborate on some goal setting. There is a form that we will use to guide us. Though you do not take this form home with you after the conference, it will be mailed to you in the near future.
Bad news - I inadvertently erased all past notes. Ooops!
Today, coming home, is the new information about Mapping homework. Please review the yellow packet with your child. Keep this handy for future mapping homework.
The first map is Guatemala and will be due Monday, Nov. 23rd.
Be sure to use the links I have added to this page to assist your child.
Today's homework:
30 min. reading - fantasy book
Spelling - Unit 9 - pp. 60 - 62
Math - purple worksheet
TFK - orange worksheet
Get started on map.
Thanks,
Mrs. A
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