Aug 26 2013
Updates for Monday, August 26th, 2013
Library cards: Our class will be visiting the Indianapolis Public Library throughout the school year. If your child has a current library card, please bring it in this week so I can make a copy of it. If you don’t have a card, please visit a local branch and fill out an application. The nearest one to our school is the Garfield Park Branch at 2502 Shelby Street, about a mile East of our school. The application requires a parent to be present.
Following up with lessons at home: It is beneficial when parents ask students what they studied in school on a regular basis. It helps reinforce what we’ve learned, and it gives you a better idea of what your child is learning. Here is a quick overview of what we’re going to learn in 2013-14:
English/Spelling/Reading: We are going to focus on the theme of nonfiction literature this year. This will include biographies, autobiographies, poetry, and other nonfiction themes. We will begin a weekly spelling list next week after I find an appropriate level. Look for the list in this week’s Friday Folder. It will be helpful if you help your child study the words throughout the week. We will also be working on grammar and writing skills.
Social Studies: We are studying Indiana History this year. Unit 1 covers geography and natural history of our state. Unit 2 covers Native Americans and the first Europeans to arrive. Unit 3 covers initial statehood through the 1850’s. Unit 4 is mainly about the Civil War. Unit 5 covers post Civil War through the Vietnam era. Unit 6 covers Indiana government, citizenship, and modern times.
Math: We will be mainly covering the 3rd grade math standards and possibly some 4th grade math standards this year. Both students tested around that level at the beginning of the year. It would be helpful to work with your child to review addition and subtraction up to 100, and multiplication up to 10. We’ll be working on this in the classroom too.
Science: This semester we will be covering magnetism, electricity, light, and sound. Next semester we will be covering astronomy.
Home visits: Several years ago I committed to take the time to visit each of my students at home early in the year. The objective is to spend quality time with each of my students and their families for one afternoon/evening. It gives me an opportunity to meet with parents and share my teaching philosophies as well as hear from them about what goals they have for their child this school year. It also lets my students know each one of them is special enough to get an entire evening focused on them. Of all the years I’ve done this, I’ve seen remarkable improvements in communication, student attitudes, and enthusiasm for school. When I was in the sixth grade, my teacher visited my home, and I remember it fondly to this day. In the past I’ve stayed for short visits of 30 minutes through spending an entire evening with dinner, games, and long chats about whatever seemed interesting. It’s totally up to you. Students always love showing me their rooms, pets, and projects. These visits aren’t mandatory, but they are beneficial in huge ways. After school usually works for me except for Wednesdays. Please let me know a date and time that works for you.
Email: I sent you an email today. Please reply to it so I know that they are getting through. If you don’t see the email, please let me know.
