From: Shane Brazile
Sent: Monday, September 16, 2013 8:28 AM
Subject: Brazile - Kemp/Rock Eagle
Parents –
Rock Eagle trip is this week. We leave Wednesday around 7:15am. I’m attaching the letter explaining everything along with another packing list. I want to stress the part about the sleeping bag and pillow. There are no sheets at Rock Eagle, just a mattress. They usually have pillows, but they need a case and I’m always a little paranoid about sleeping on a pillow 3,000 other kids have used. Also, they need a pair of old shoes that can be tossed after they’re used. (And don’t forget the showering supplies….Please!)
This week will be a little different concerning workload. We’ll focus on completing our unit work, so no Reading Log/Spelling Word Studies due this week.
My bosses want us to give you explanations of what are studying each week. I know this is a lot of information and we don’t always have the time (or interest) to read it all, so I’m going to give you bullet points each time. Feel free to read on if you want or just read the bullets and have an idea of what’s happening.
This is what we’re studying over the next couple weeks by subject:
· Reading – Continuing Hatchet focusing on setting, cause/effect, problem/solution
· Spelling – continuing Words Their Way throughout the year, word study sheets
· Writing – Working on Informational writing through our unit work, finding facts to support our writing
· Math – Individual skills listed on “Math” section of website, work on IXL skills and watch tutorials
· Science – Destructive forces project due Tuesday, Constructive forces focus until end of quarter
· Social Studies – Civil War unit projects due at end of quarter
When your child is reading at home, ask them about their book. See how they’re recalling details and if they can give you the time and place of the story (setting). See how they do understanding how events are connected within the story (cause/effect).
For Spelling, the kids need to sort their words each night, even if they’ve finished the Word Sort sheet. They need to think about how the spelling affects the pronunciation of the words. The more they practice this, the more they’ll learn. When they’re working with their sort groups and have CVC, CVVC, CVCe, ask about it. They should know the vowel sounds that go with the spelling patterns.
With Math, ask them if they’re watching the tutorials, if they have any questions. Make them write out their questions so they can ask me the next day. It’s essential that they ask. With this “Flipped Classroom” model, it is most effective for them to come to class ready for explanations. If they’re not working on the skills I give them each week, they’re not going with our “plan.”
In Social Studies and Science, they’re doing a great job with their initiative. I’ve told them that I’m impressed with how they’ve taken to this model of learning. It gives us the opportunity to try new ideas and I can give them more freedom in their expression of learning. I’m asking that they all set up an Evernote account so that they can send me their work digitally (it also serves as a great way to save their work to a central location, accessible from any web-connected device). I’m excited to see what they create for their Destructive forces projects. They’ve been working hard on them.
I’ve been very impressed with this group of kids. I don’t want to jinx it, but this is one of my best groups ever. They’ve shown so much initiative and they’re working hard. If we can get the talking under control, they just might be perfect….I have a base plan that I work from each year. I’ve built many of the lessons for the year already and then I tweak based on the abilities of the students. Already I’ve switched gears and gone with a more engaging and challenging unit project. I’ll continue to push them to unlock their full potential.
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Shane
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