Week of 2/10/19 - 2/14/18

Hubbard Street:  Today we had our first class with our Hubbard Street dance teacher, Ms. Anne.  The kids did great!  We learned about creating shapes, locomotor, and non-locomotor movement.  We'll have ten classes total, culminating in a share with all of the classes participating. Ask your kids to show you the shape they created and taught the class, and if they're brave, ask them to show you the locomotor and non-locomotor movement they added to it.  

Reading: Biographies should be read and notes complete by Tuesday!  Their notes should not only be dates/ fact-based:  they should include information about who influenced their person, what the world (and their world) was like during that time period, what challenges they faced, and how they overcame them.  These are the topics we discussed in our lessons throughout the week.  Next week we will complete graphic organizers and begin drafting our own biographies.  I will go over the assignment requirements again.   We'll look at student work from past years and discuss the requirements of the creative projects again. All of this information, plus templates, sample work, and the timeline can be found on our blog by clicking the top link titled "Biography Project" or by clicking here. Check in with your child about about how their reading is going. ** Ask to see their notes. 

Math: The kids took the Module 4 test today on angles and plane figures.  Next week we'll begin a very in depth unit on fractions.   If your child still doesn't know their math facts, practice them. Use flash cards, skip count (count by 4's, 6's, 7's, etc), quiz each other on facts (what's 8x4?). Your child should accurately know his/ her facts by heart, and with relative speed. I also relinked all of the math resources in the homework section of our blog. if your child is struggling with homework, or if you'd like to see examples or watch videos to know how to help, please visit the math links. They're wonderful and directly linked to our curriculum. 

Second Step:  We began our Child Protection Unit this week, starting with a lesson on "ways to stay safe."  The ways to stay safe are 1:  recognize, 2:  report, and 3:  refuse.  The point of the lesson was that even when a child is alone or with friends/ siblings without an adult, they are able to- and responsible for- keeping themselves safe.  They need to recognize when a situation isn't safe,  (like climbing a tree when no adults are present) and 'say no' to themselves or others in an unsafe situation.  They should report unsafe behavior or ask for help when they need it. They will be bringing home homework to complete with you, and like before, will have a week to complete it.  

Miscellaneous: 

• Be sure to sign up for Mystery Reader! 
• Our hallway and our classroom are starting to get very stinky due to the wet boots/ shoes/ winter gear.  Check your child's shoes and outdoor gear- it may need a run through the wash cycle!
• The Whittier Student Council needs your help in the fight against blood cancers! By participating in The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) School & Youth programs, our school is working with LLS to help blood cancer patients live their best life today.  
  
  
  Between February 19-March 15th, students and families are asked to save any type of change (coins and bills) using the collection boxes that were brought home this week along with a letter explaining more about the program. Checks can also be turned in using the collection boxes, payable to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The collection boxes should be returned to school by Friday, March 15, 2019.  In addition, parents, friends, and family members can also donate online using the teacher links at https://events.lls.org/pages/il/Whittier-Elementary-School-2019 . After you donate online, you’ll receive a tax-deductible receipt. There are many prize opportunities online that are not available if you bring in the money.
  
  
  Overall, the class that raises the most money both online and in school combined will receive an Olive Garden lunch including pasta, salad, and breadsticks at a future date determined by their classroom teacher.  Plus, if Whittier School meets our goal of  $2,019 we will have a fun celebration at school.  
  
  
  For more information on The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s mission, please visit www.schoolandyouth.org/il. 
  
  
  Thank you,
  Whittier Student Council