Classroom Celebration!

Our class has been working very hard this year and I believe it is time to reward them with a celebration.  They are bursting with excitement over the holidays, yet they continue to persevere through tests and challenging work.  I am proud of my scholars and want to celebrate that!  On Friday, December 20, we will be having a little celebration in class after we finish that morning's test.  We will do a small art project and watch a movie together in class.  Since we have the school spirit day of "Cozy Day" (my personal favorite!) and scholars will already be in their pajamas, they may also bring one stuffed animal with them to watch the movie.  If you would like to send snacks for your child to share with the class that day you are welcome to.  The school birthday celebration rules do not apply to this party, you are welcome to send whatever type of food you choose, although I ask that you please do not send anything with nuts (because of allergies) and please provide the necessary serving materials such as plates, napkins, etc.

Conference Reminders

Conferences begin this Friday and last all next week.  The dismissal time has changed this year to 1:40.  If possible, please bring your child with you to their conference so they can participate in our discussion of their progress.  If they aren't able to attend it is ok, but I prefer to involve them.

Here is a reminder of which day your child has their conference.  If you need a reminder of the time, please contact me.

Mrs. Smith’s Conferences

Friday 12/13

Alex R.

Trenton

Alex L.

Vivian

Kaitlyn

Monday 12/16

Joshua

Elkan

Zechariah

Sophie

Victoria

Catherine

Benjamin

Tuesday 12/17

Ethan

Lani

Zachary

Jenny

Uy

Wednesday 12/18

Tien

Kevin

Luke

Thursday 12/19

Sarah

Clairebelle

Amy

Tyler

Hailey

Friday 12/20

Mica

Social Studies Change Over Time Project

On Friday I sent home a packet explaining your child's new social studies project.  The focus of the project is for your child to compare and contrast certain elements of the past and present.  Your child will gather information from interviewing an older person and one or more other resources, such as the internet, a book, encyclopedia, or the social studies pages from class that were also sent home in the Friday Folders.   This project is not due for over a month, but I sent it home early so that your child has time to arrange an interview with an older family member (or other adult) which I understand may take time.  Last year some of my students used face time, Skype, the phone, or even email to contact family members who still live in Vietnam or other far away places.  This is absolutely a great idea.  It's not necessary for your child to conduct the interview face to face.  The important thing is for them to make the connection that the past was "real" and understand how life has changed from the perspective of someone who actually experienced it.

The other reasons I sent this project home so early are so that your child has plenty of time to work on it without feeling rushed, and so that I can share some feedback and examples with you during conferences.  During conference week we will be dismissed from school early, at 1:40, so that I have time to meet with all 26 scholars' families.  This extra time outside of the classroom can be used by your child to work on this Change Over Time project.  All I need your child to return to me this week is the signed slip on the bottom of page 2 indicating that you are aware of the project.  I just want to make sure that all the scholars have informed their parents and there are no "surprises" at the last minute.
As I said, we will have some time to discuss any questions that you might have about the project during conferences, and I will be spending a lot of time going over all of the details with the scholars in class.