New energy

Hi everyone. The kids are at PE and I’m sitting here just thinking. I can see it raining through the window which is hung with the artwork students made last week with Gina. Against one wall, students have stored new book boxes for their stuff. Tracy got them for us because Mr. Lauer got us new smaller footprint tables that don’t have cubbies. Right next to the new spot for the projector cart where I often sit there are also some new little red leather ottomans. Between those, the beanbag, the floor level table with carpet squares, the pilates ball, the personal tote pod and the hokke stools, I think we have a decent selection of seating options. The pipeburst flood that displaced us for a bit has turned out to be a net gain. The room feels so much more open and flexible. There is a new energy.

This is one thing I really appreciate about Lewis. We try things out with furniture, with teaching methods, with technology and if they work, we keep them and share them. If they don’t we keep trying. It also means we can adapt and roll with the unexpected. Just sitting here for this quiet moment, feeling newly at home, made me want to note that. Thanks for everyone who makes this a place where my own learning is embraced as much as the students'.

HOMEWORK THIS WEEK: Due Friday 1/29

● MATH: Math challenge
● READING: Daily reading and one Reading Journal Response. 

Responding to Essays and Sharing Beliefs

I hope you had a restful weekend and occasion to reflect on the legacy of Dr. King and the work we have ahead of us.  As you know, our students have been writing personal essays that explain and argue for a principle or belief they hold dearly.  This is a great way for them to learn new academic skills but it is also a way for them to write their way into a mature understanding of the impact personal principles have on our choices and decisions in life.  

Because you are the key source of your child’s perspectives, I’m hoping you will be able to support them in writing the essay. Attached is a response sheet for you to use in responding to your child’s draft.  The drafts will becoming in different stages of completion so you will have to adjust the balance of feedback based upon where they are in the writing process.  Some students may still be in the stage of developing their ideas and clarifying their thinking.  Some students may have a fairly polished draft.  Your feedback does not need to be very long. My hope is that you get a peek into our writing work as well as a chance to help them refine their thinking and expression.  There is no need to “fix up” or finish.  We will get to that next week in class!  I find the best way to help is to notice what’s working and then offer one or two ways to improve or develop the piece.  Thanks in advance for your help with this.

If you’d like some more ideas about how to help your child, take a look at how this teacher works with a young writer:

https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/improving-student-writing

HOMEWORK THIS WEEK:   Due Friday 1/22

• MATH: Missing Questions Math!
• READING: Daily reading and but no Response this week because of …
• Writing: Getting feedback on essay drafts. Students planning next steps.

Beliefs and History

Well that was a funny way to start the new year!  Snow days and a burst pipe in our classroom forced us to be extra flexible.  It looks like we’ll be working in Room 3 for the rest of this week while the tiles and carpet in our room are repaired.  The custodial staff, Selim and Rasema, as well as Mr. Lauer, Tracy and the Learning Center teachers have all been incredibly supportive and accommodating while this is sorted out.  Come by and check out our groovy arrangement in Room 3 if you have a moment.  One challenge we are working out is that the room will be closed during work so we may be closed off from some supplies!

We are launching two new units of study, one in writing and one in social studies. Last week we started writing essays based on examples from the This I Believe website. Kids are developing thesis statements based on a personal belief that they hold and then backing it up with anecdotal evidence and analysis.  We are also launching a study of the Indigenous history of western Oregon using curriculum developed by the Grand Ronde tribes.  You can check out an interactive overview of our study at http://ikanum.grandronde.org/

Thanks to everyone who donated to our Street Roots supply drive.  A few families were able to join when I dropped off all the good stuff.  The staff at the Street Roots office was very grateful and proud of our class community. One interesting fact that Cole, who runs the office, told us is that young people who have an opportunity to volunteer or donate are much more likely to continue their lives giving and participating in worthy causes.  Interesting to think about!

HOMEWORK THIS WEEK:   Due Friday 1/15

• MATH: Math practice sheet!
• READING: Daily reading and one Reading Journal Response.