December 1, 2017

In the next couple of school days the children will be putting the finishing touches on their brochures to share with you on Wednesday, December 6th 8:30-9:15 a.m. The brochures are an enlarged version of what you might find at local agencies to accommodate the writing and illustrations by the children.  Informational Writing is an opportunity for the children to explore how to consider what information their audience might want to know on a topic.  As they have created their brochures we have discussed how to "hook" the interest and attention of their audience right from the start. They have also included an issue they each have identified as close to their "heart" and a way to address that issue.  Ask your child, “What design choices did you make on the cover of your brochure?  

What is most important for others to learn about your issue?  How will you inspire others to take action? What features will draw your audience into your issue?   What about your work are you the most proud of? What is a challenge you had to overcome during the creation of the brochure?” Some of the 2nd Graders who have chosen the Pixie Project as the agency that touches their hearts made a presentation today during our Friday Gathering. They composed and read the following:

How is the Pixie Project Using Their Power For Good?

The Pixie Project gives animals food, care, and water. They also give them a nice home and if they are hurt they give them surgery. They train them. They exercise them by walking them and giving them a chance to run and play. They get pets from other shelters who might not have enough room and they take careful attention to treat them kindly.

They make a video of the pets and it shows how the animal is and how it acts so that people will like them and then people will get interested and then adopt them. When people come to see the animals, they meet someone from The Pixie Project and that person can let them have a play date and get to know the animal.

What Do They Believe?

The Pixie Project believes that all animals need homes. They try to find nice people to take animals who need homes. They help find a good-fit home for the animals there. They believe that all animals should have care and exercise and good food. They believe animals can give humans their love and their respect.

How Can We Help?

We think you can make treats for dogs and cats. This can help the pets by giving them food and helps them exercise because they want the treat! Treats show pets that they did a good job and it shows that they can have nice food and be taken care of. You can put pet supplies like Kong dog or cat toys, tennis balls, or nylon leashes in your Giving Chapel bag. You can talk to your family about whether adopting a pet from the Pixie Project is right for your family.

You may have also noticed the Giving Chapel Fair display in the Lower School lobby area this week. The children visited and explored how the displays captured their attention and what information was shared. They were asked to consider whether they might be able to incorporate any of the eye catching techniques in their own brochures. We also had an opportunity to observe some of the 5th graders who were making pillows for one of the agencies.

Giving Chapel

Next Friday, December 8th we head up to chapel at 8:00.  Please remember to send in Giving Chapel bags with your child Friday morning. Students may leave their bags under the window just outside the classroom door until 7:50.  Fifth graders will help students carry their bags up to chapel. If you arrive after 8:00, please check in with the office and walk your child up to chapel.

Academic Happenings:

Math

The children have been exploring finding the perimeter using non-standard measurement. Our December calendar will be focused on shapes and our work places involve adding 2 or 3 digit addends and then subtracting a digit from 4-9.

Writing

We received letters from our pen pals and have started planning how to answer their questions, incorporating context and asking new questions.

The children also worked with their Kindergarten buddies this week creating stories using a variety of materials.

Reading

The children have been reading a variety of non-fiction texts about animals. Once we have completed our brochure work, they will be invited to write a brief "all about" book on one of the animals they have read about.

Homework

Homework due: 12/4::

• Reading log
• Math Journal pages: Pages 39-40

Homework for the week of 12/4, due 12/11:

• Read for at least 15 minutes each night Monday through Friday (weekends are bonus) and fill in the reading log nightly
• Conduct the reading interview questions throughout the week
• Math Journal: Enjoy the game on pages: 41-51