Lynnwood Elementary School January 2016 Newsletter

Transcription

1 Lynnwood Elementary School January 2016 Newsletter Happy New Year Lynnwood Families- I hope you all enjoyed the vacation and spent quality time with family and friends. It is hard to believe January is upon us and we are settling in for the long winter ahead. Here at Lynnwood we are excited to continue our work bringing literacy to life in the classroom for our students. The teachers have planned for new units of study in writing and have selected wonderful texts for students to engage with as they talk about their reading and challenge themselves to think more deeply about what they have read. After the teachers present very focused lessons around how students may work with text in reading and writing, we give them plenty of time to practice their craft in an environment designed to support student s independent learning. It is in the practice of reading and writing that students become better readers and writers. Think about a time when you learned something new like golf or skiing. Perhaps you took a lesson with a golf pro or a ski instructor for an hour and then went and skied or played on your own to practice. Once you had a chance to practice on your own you may have gone back for feedback or to learn a new skill. We are working hard to have the focus for our students to be learning, creating and innovating in classrooms that are engaging and supporting risk taking and problem solving. We understand we are preparing our students for a world that is changing so rapidly we aren t quite sure what it will look like for them in the future. However, if their foundation is to embrace confusion and be persistent, they will be well prepared to take on the world. I know it can be hard to watch your child struggle with a math problem or a writing assignment or a project for school. Try to focus on the process and honor the efforts to persevere rather than a product. Try to help them understand that the feeling of confusion is a sign they are learning new things and when they stick with it new learning will come. Our teachers are masters at helping them learn new things and untangle confusion here at school. The best way you can help is to honor the attempts at perseverance and give them strategies to deal with it when you see confusion. You may suggest a little break, deep breathing, a snack, light stretches or squeezing a soft ball or play dough. Learning to deal with stress and frustration will serve your child well and is a life skill that will lead to success. So in 2016, encourage risk taking, collaboration and problem solving and help us develop a love of learning, creativity and innovation in our students so they are able to change the world. Alicia

2 LES 5th Grade Ski Club Dates: January 13 January 20 January 27 February 3 February 10 (After school at Maple Ski Ridge) THINK SNOW! Outdoor Recess Teachers try to find time for the children to go outside for some physical activity during the winter months. We ask for your cooperation by dressing your child appropriately for outside activities: coat, hat, gloves, and boots. On very cold (20 degrees or below) or wet days, the children will not go outside. It's still Flu Season, and not too late to get vaccinated. Ask your doctor about getting a flu shot. Page 2

3 Parking at Lynnwood Elementary School We ask that you do not park along the front curb of school at any time. This is a fire lane. There is a sign indicating this. If you park there you will be asked to move your car to the parking lot. We have to keep this lane open for emergency vehicles. Thank you for your cooperation. On February 11, 2016 Education, nutrition and the our Physical meaning of a student athlete. Education Department will be While on this visit, our fifth graders taking the Fifth Grade will meet many athletes from class to SUNY Albany various teams. We will then get a for their annual chance to watch a real Women s NCAA Commitment College Basketball game. The cost to Education Day. The fifth for each student is free and graders will get a tour of the athletic permission slips will be going home facilities, have various educational soon. sessions focusing on Physical Upcoming Events at Lynnwood Elementary School January 14th Building Cabinet Meeting 2:15 p.m. January 18th MLK, Jr. Day NO SCHOOL January 25th Kindergarten Info Night for next year s kindergarten parents, program presentation and question & answer period. 6:30 PM in the Cafeteria. (Snowdate: 1/26/16) Page 3 Volume 1, Issue 1

4 Choosing Just Right Books by Nell Ball Intermediate Literacy Coach When I go to the public library or the bookstore in search of my next book to read, I have many ways I decide what that book will be. If I am going to stick with a book and read it from cover to cover, I know it needs to be a just right fit for me. I think about what genres I like to read, what topics interest me, and which authors I like to read. I also take into account book reviews I ve read and recommendations I ve received from friends. I know I need to find a book that will hold my interest. Keeping all of that in mind, I make my way to the section of the library or bookstore that contains those books. I know how libraries and bookstores are laid out and where to find fiction, biographies, and nonfiction. Once I find a book I think I d like to read, I have ways that help me decide which books will be just right for me. The same holds true for our children who rummage through the library shelves and bookstore shelves in search of good books to read. As parents, you may learn from your child s teacher that he or she is reading on, below, or above grade level. This is important information for you to know. But how does this help your child in selecting just right books to read? When looking for a good book to read, we rarely talk of grade levels or book levels in the world outside of school. That is why our teachers spend time at the start of the school year and often revisit how to choose just right books throughout the school year. We want our children to learn and understand how to independently select books they enjoy or find interesting, and there are some effective ways to do this. First, children should determine their purpose. Is this a free choice book? Do they want to learn something or do they need to research a topic? Second, does the book interest them? Is it a topic, genre or author they enjoy reading? Next, do they deeply comprehend what they are reading? By reading a page or two children can stop and think about what they just read. Do they understand what they read? Do they remember what they read? Finally, do they know most of the words on a page? Can they read and understand most of the words on a page? Following these simple steps helps children find books that are just right for them. As stated earlier, it is preferable that children spend the majority of their time reading just right books. However, sometimes children want to read a book that may be out of their reach, just too hard, but they are truly excited about it. A way to support your child in reading these books is to read the book to your child or to get the audio version for your child to listen to. There s just one more thing to consider when supporting your child s book selection. Children often want to read the newest, most popular book or series that has hit the shelf. It is important to take into account the themes and topics found in these books. Often the hot new book that is about to become a movie is intended for older audiences like middle schoolers and high schoolers. These books may present issues and feelings that older readers can relate to. It is important to keep in mind that just because children can read a book doesn t always mean they

5 should. There are thousands of books out there that touch on themes and topics that upper elementary students can relate to. When reading at home or independently, students benefit from books they can read easily with deep comprehension. Research shows that in order for children to grow as readers, they need to read often and read books that are just right for them. A simple mnemonic device will help: P Purpose I Interest C Comprehend K Know Why do I want to read it? For enjoyment, to learn something, or to do research? Does it interest me? Do I understand what I am reading? Do I know most of the words? Library Corner Mrs. Healy, Librarian Makerspace, Lynnwood-style What is a Makerspace? A Makerspace is a DIY space where students can create, explore, make, and invent. Our library has a small Makerspace for students. How do students use our Makerspace? While our library is inherently a space for creation and exploration, our Makerspace allows for students to learn even more! Most students who use the Makerspace come during recess. The activities and materials are geared for students in grades 2-5. The projects are made to be short and easy for students to use independently. There are at least two things going at any given time and rotate as needed. Examples of Makerspace activities in our library: *Origami Yoda paper folding (based on the book Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger) * Adult coloring sheets-complicated and intricate coloring for older students. It s all the rage! *Puzzles *Legos-we have an ongoing community Lego building activity. Students can ask for a Lego to add to the creation every time they read and return a book. It s quite popular!