I wish you all could have been in class with us this week to observe the amazing inquiry skills and enthusiasm for our current unit. The children are so lit up about having a positive impact on global issues that I can see superhero alter-egos forming. This is why I love being a teacher: seeing children blossom into global citizens who want to make the world a better place.
Last week, you may have noticed the absence of our blog. I was so engrossed in finishing student reports that I didn't squeeze in time for the blog. My apologies! The reports are available today, Friday, January 31. For more information, go here. If you have questions about your child's report, please do not hesitate to set up a time for us to talk.
Here is a snapshot of where we are in our learning:
READING:
We have been developing skills in summarizing and identifying the theme within a book, while also working to meet our individual reading goals. We will build upon these skills next week, looking at ways to make connections through theme. We will also look at how we can use books as door openers to learn more about the world around us.
Very exciting is opportunity to interview the author of Seeds of Change, a book we read to support our unit study. Ask your child about the book and why they loved it so much!
WRITING:
We are developing our writer's craft by learning strategies for enriching our writing with detail, while we recount a small moment in our lives.
MATH:
We have started the new unit called: The Big Dinner. During this unit, students will be learning how to multiply with money, use ration tables, and determine cost by weight. The learning is set in the context of planning a big dinner for a local soup kitchen. To support their learning, the children will be interviewing Mr. Rodrigues, the UNIS kitchen manager, about how he plans for purchasing and pricing.
UNIT STUDIES:
We are continuing our work on identifying a local need, and determining how we can use our skills and talents to meet that need. We have been learning about the millennium development goals, why they are important, and are beginning to find our what organizations are doing to meet these goals. If you would like to learn more, visit the MDG site here.
If you have worked towards reaching any of the goals, we would love to know about it. I am personally invested in Goal #6, and wrote about it for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Blog, Impatient Optimists.
SKILLS DEVELOPMENT:
You may have already guessed that we are learning how to identify a need, conduct meaningful research, and carry out informative interviews. This is all in support of our current unit, and helps to build our reading, writing, technology, speaking, and listening skills as well.
If you are working or volunteering with an organization that works to have an impact on local and global issues, we welcome you to come in and talk with us!
- Tuesday, Feb. 11 8:45-9:15: Parent Open house
We are currently looking to replenish our supply of 'Tooth Elephants'. As you know, this is a treasured UNIS tradition for children in the Junior School as we have a steady stream of children coming to the office to celebrate their lost teeth each day!
The Tooth Elephants are purchased from a market in Bangkok. If you are traveling in the next few months and feel you would be able to carry back a supply of elephants in your luggage, we would be most appreciative. Please contact Ms. Jenkins directly if you are interested.
Have wonderful weekend with your young activists!
Sincerely,
Ms. Erin M. Threlfall