"Nature's first green is gold" ......................Nothing Gold Can Stay by Robert Frost
Dear families-
I get so caught up in history (which I love; can you tell??) that I have been remiss in telling you about all the other really good things that are happening right now. For example, we're concluding our time together with a pretty impressive poetry project. It gives us the opportunity to play with language--and review some significant writing skills. We're discussing multi-sensory descriptive writing, figurative language, clear and concise word choice, presentation... utilizing a rich and varied array of literature. (It doesn't hurt that the assignments are short, and can be concluded in class!) From the profound to the ridiculous, our discussions focus on the power of the written word--using such notable writers as William Shakespeare, Langston Hughes, Robert Frost, Shel Silverstein, Jack Prelutsky, e. e. cummings, Edgar Allan Poe, Emily Dickinson, Dr. Seuss... My, my, what a plethora of material to choose from! We read them, discuss them, analyze them, illustrate them, and create them. Every day a different student showcases a poem they particularly like by reading it and discussing what it means to them. We're each putting together an anthology of original poems -- get ready to be amazed!
Please help me help your children by continuing to expect (abbreviated) "homework" time each night. Ir might simply entail reading silently for 30 minutes, but the discipline that they develop from this structure will be of great benefit later on. If your child is struggling for any reason, please direct them to me so that I can help. (Your job is not to be the "homework police"...I know that that can get ugly; I'm a mom, too!) It's important to say here that there should BE no significant homework except in the instance of those who choose to bring something home to "tweak".
In other news:
- Literacy groups ended on Thursday. This time will now include completing reading assessments, and providing time for additional content work.
- We've got visitors (Addison seniors) for one more day--we're all helping prepare a community float for the Memorable Day parade. Hopefully, we'll be able to pull 'em all back [after 3 days of fun] so that we can finish up our work for the year....
- Thank you, thank you, thank you for all of those who generously offered to chaperone this year's trip to Pok-O-MacCready. Using call sticks, it was determined that Pam Stearns and Kyle Clark will come along. I hope you all offer them your support as they bravely embark on this great adventure...
I continue to be amazed by your children, and wish to thank you for all that you do every day to make them who they are.
Good night-
Teri
