Dear Families,
What an action-packed first few weeks we have had! The
students have done an amazing job mastering their schedules, and helping their
peers when needed. We have been impressed with the kindness many have shown
towards each other during these first few weeks. The students are learning new routines
and getting used to their new teachers. It is a big transition for everyone,
and so far it is going very well!
Each day students are filling out their planner which we have provided. It is important that students use the planner as an
organizational tool and develop positive habits. This year, we are using the planner for discussion and goal setting topics at home. Your child should be sharing their learning with you.
Below is some important information for all of our
families. As always, please contact your child’s support room teacher with any
questions and/or concerns.
Language Arts: Students have been doing a lot of writing since our first day! They have already completed several short
pieces of writing. Our first writing process piece is a personal narrative
where we are writing true stories from our lives. These are now publish in our Alpha team
hallway!
Also, students have been writing reading responses in their literacy
notebooks about The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba and
Brian Mealer. Here's an image of what we have learned about William so far. Your child has been working on finding evidence from the text to support their understanding of William.
Math: As many of you may have heard when your child came
home talking about math during the first two weeks of school, our start of the
year in math was focused on the Habits of Mind and Habits of Interaction that
mathematicians use. Specifically, we
talked about what learning in math will be like, and how successful
mathematicians think. I could go on and
on about how powerful these messages are, but instead I suggest you ask your
child to tell you more about any of the following to find out how he/she
connected with them:
·
Everyone
can do really well in math.
·
The
more you struggle, the more your brain grows.
·
You
brain grows when you make a mistake and then go back and think about that
mistake.
·
“Brain Crossing” (combining visuals with
symbols/numbers) allows us to think most powerfully about math.
·
Successful
Mathematicians:
o Think deeply and look for
how things relate to each other.
o Try seemingly wild ideas.
o Feel comfortable being
wrong.
o Are open to different
experiences.
o Keep going through
difficulties.
o Play with ideas without
judging them first.
o Are willing to go against
traditional ideas.
Also, we all watched this very cool TED talk by Jo Boaler, and even looked at the pattern she describes in the video. We highly recommend that you watch the video, and if you can watch it with your child even better! Jo Boaler TEDx Talk
This week we started our first unit of Bridges and during this unit our focus will be on the connections between expressions (4X2X3), equations (4X2X3 = 24) and volume. This unit also does a bit of reviewing multiplication and division from last year.
This week we started our first unit of Bridges and during this unit our focus will be on the connections between expressions (4X2X3), equations (4X2X3 = 24) and volume. This unit also does a bit of reviewing multiplication and division from last year.
Field Trip: We have an upcoming field trip to Petra Cliffs
Climbing Center. We are working on finalizing the details for this trip (tentatively scheduled for Thursday, 10/6), so please be on the look out for information soon! We will be participating in team building
games, climbing, and the high ropes course.
All of the climbing activities are “challenge by choice” so students can
decide their comfort level with the activities. Scholarships are
available if needed (see “Financial Assistance Available” info below).
Band: Our 5th grade students are very excited
about learning to play a new instrument.
Students have their lesson one day a week. In addition, they practice as a full group
during music on Mondays and full band on Fridays. Students need
to bring their instruments to school those days. We have emphasized to students that being in
band is a commitment and they need to practice.
Please make sure your child’s name is on their instrument case.
After School Plans: Please send in a note with any dismissal changes. We know that many students
are involved in after school sports and sometimes the practices or games are
cancelled. It would be helpful for students and staff if your child has a
standing backup plan for cancellations.
We understand that this isn’t always possible but it would eliminate
some of the stress some students feel when plans need to be changed. Also, we request that any after school play
dates be arranged prior to the start of the school day. We generally don’t
allow students to make phone calls home during the school day to arrange play
dates. All of this is to ensure student
safety and that there is no confusion
about where students are going at the end of the day.
We are looking forward to a great year. Please be
sure to contact your child’s support room teacher with any questions and/or
concerns.
Thanks,
Katie and Dave
***Financial Assistance Available***
Just
as a reminder - at Charlotte Central School, School Counselors Kathy Batty and
Vicki Nelson are the point people for families in need of financial assistance.
Needs-based
financial assistance is provided for field
trips and backpacks/school supplies.
Also, families can obtain vouchers for school
pictures and new sneakers. During
the holidays, local agencies help provide holiday
gifts to CCS students.
For those who wish to volunteer in classrooms, CCS has funds available to cover finger-printing as part of the CSSU background checks.
If
you are in need of any of these supports, please feel free to contact, Kathy Batty: kbatty@cssu.org or 425-6657 Tuesdays - Fridays
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