UEW Update 12/15/16

Dear UEW Families,

It was great to see so many of you at the Science Fair yesterday.  The students really enjoyed sharing their work.  Today's fort day was a great success!  We had a city of forts in UEW. If your child is participating in Secret Snowflake, please check in with them to make sure they have given their gift.

For our weekly writing prompt, the students have been writing poems about snow.  Here are some for you to enjoy over winter break. 

Have wonderful break and we will see you next year!

Jean and Amanda

 

Daddy, daddy! Look it snowed,

Daddy, daddy! Where did your car go?

It's three feet below,

A mound of snow.

I think we'll stay,

Instead of go.

By Finn

 

The cold wind blows,

There's frost on my clothes,

And there's snot of my nose.

I looked around,

No one to be found,

Then I fell to the ground.

By Silo

 

Snow is a white substance that falls from the sky,

Please tell me why it falls from the sky.

It makes me cold,

So I am told,

It's time for me to blow my nose.

By Mandi

 

Snow is fuzzy,

Snow is fun.

I like snow falling on my tongue.

Snow is crystally,

Snow is cold.

Snow is funny,

Snow is bold.

When things get chilly,

Snow falls, and that's fun.

Snow is cool,

Snow is flakey,

Snow is perfect,

Snow is delicate.

I LOVE SNOW!

By Sofie

 

Snow is awesome,

Snow is cool,

Snow is white,

Snow is cold.

Snowball fights,

Afton too,

Chair lifts,

Moguls,

Jumps too.

Berms,

Grab rails are cool,

That's why snow is cool.

By Reid

 

 

Snow…

  

  Inside I sit and peer…

 At the snow, so crystal clear…

 It makes not a sound,

 As it rests on the ground,

 And I know that Winter is here…

 

 It seems the wind has come…

 Yet the Spring has nearly begun…

 And as I rest,

 I see the white crest,

 And I brace for the light of the sun…

 

 And every year, when it is over…

 The world will begin a nova…

 And I cannot wait,

 In this prolonged state,

 Of longing for the bloom of the clover.

 

By Daniel

 

Snow

A poem involving snow.

 

In the night,

A pretty sight,

Will greet us in the morning.

When we wake up,

Because of our pup,

We see the snow adorning.

 

The children squeal,  

They break open the seal,

The door has been burst open.

They play in the snow,

And before they know,

Their snowman has been broken.

 

By Torben

\\

UEW Update 12/9/16

Hello UEW Families,

 

Students in UEW have spent time this week meeting and organizing some special events for the week before break.  I have attached a letter from them with details of the upcoming events.  All events are voluntary.

 

 

Science Fair!  We look forward to inviting families into our classroom to see the work your students have prepared.  Next week will be focused on preparing for the fair, with no new work and extra support to get kids ready.  The Science Fair will run from 2-3pm on December 14 and we will not be going to the park.  

 

In support of the Science Fair, we did not send new homework this week.  Students can use their extra time to finish their research and experiments, or to gather materials needed.  

 

The Upper Elementary team has meetings scheduled with Admin the next Wednesday and will not be able to receive kids that come early to make up lessons or work. We will resume early Wednesdays after break.  

 

Thursday and Friday, December 15 and 16 will be fun activities and catch up days.  Students that have missing work will have time to meet with us and finish it up. 

 

Thank you for all your support!  

 

Jean and Amanda

UEW Update 12/1/2016

Hello UEW Families,

Our classroom is filled with conversation about science and science fair projects!  The students should have a clear plan for their project with a materials list, procedure and a hypothesis.  Please check in with your child to make sure they are on track for presenting at the science fair on December 14 from 2-3.  Many of the students are choosing to do their projects at home so they can surprise their friends with the results.  The project should be displayed on a tri-fold display board, we do have some at school, but would appreciate it if students are able to provide their own.

 

We go outside every day!  Your child should come prepared for winter weather with a hat, gloves, jacket and warm footgear.

 

Every week the students have a writing prompt to do.  This week they are writing about science.  What are they interested in?  What do they want to learn more about?  What do they not understand?  The prompts change every week and on Friday, students choose to share their writing with their classmates.  In January, the students will pick one of their pieces of writing to take through the five step writing process.  It will then be put into their portfolio!

 

Our Leo, BunBun, continues to entertain and sooth us.  He loves to hop down timelines and sprawl in the middle of the room in his super-bunny pose.  He is always in need of fresh greens to eat!  He would love any gifts of greens and vegetables.

Thanks much,

Jean and Amanda

Update 11/23/16

Hello UEW Families,

 

What a wonderful day!  Thanks to all  for the delicious food we shared today.  Amanda and I would like to wish you a safe and happy holiday!   

 

Winter is finally here.  We have outside recess every day and go to the park every Wednesday, unless it is too cold or we have a weather advisory.  Please help your child remember to have winter gear (hat, gloves, snow pants, jacket and boots)available every day.

 

 

Many students are planning to do Science Fair work at home this break.  Please let us know if you are unable to get any materials necessary for your child's project and we will do our best to help find them.  Students should be running their experiments the week of 11/28 and wrapping them up by 12/5.

 

Rather than sending out new homework for the break, we are asking students to take home work that they have unfinished.  We will resume homework next week. 

 

We are in need of some supplies for our classroom.  If you are out and about and can pick up something up, we would appreciate it!

 

Cleaning supplies:

            Sponges

            Antibacterial wipes 

            Dish soap

            Hydrogen peroxide cleaner

 

Bunny supplies:

            Greens

            Toys or treats

            Timothy hay

 

Thank you!

Jean and Amanda

Update 11/16/16

Dear UEW Families,

 

Thank you to the many families that took time out of their busy schedules to talk with me last week.  It was great to finally get a chance to sit down and talk with all of you.  Also - thank you to the families that donated lunch and breakfast food - it was such a luxury to have meals provided. 

 

Students are recording their goals in their work journal.  We will be checking in with them throughout the year to see how they are progressing.  Goal setting is an important part in the development of executive function.  If you would like to learn more about executive function, please join us tomorrow evening!

 

Facilities Forum and Parent Education 6:30-8:30. We will discuss the process, values and project of finding the best learning environment for our students now and in the future.  We will also have an overview of executive function!

 

Students have finished their projects on Widji and practiced their public speaking skills by presenting them to their peers.  We have learned so much about the plants and animals of northern Minnesota.  We have also learned about canoes and stars!

 

Preparation for the Science Fair is underway!  Please mark your calendars - the Science Fair will be Wednesday, December 14th from 2-3pm.  We'd love to have as many families attend as possible, but understand that it is difficult to take time from work and obligations to attend.  

 

Next week on Wednesday, we will have a Thanksgiving potluck!  Your child has picked what they are going to bring, please check in with them.  This week's homework will be based on our potluck.  We will be collecting recipes for the dishes they are bringing.

 

Please let us know if you have any questions,

 

Jean and Amanda

UEW Update

Hello UEW  

Conferences are right around the corner, looking forward to seeing you all.  All 5^th and 6^th year students will be attending conferences this year!

 

A reminder - we will dismiss at noon next Wednesday, November 9th.  We will not have lunch at school.  Buses will run their regular routes.

 

We wrapped up our month long study of Widji related topics this week.  Students presented their work to each other this Friday morning.  We will use this as a practice run for our winter work share, which will be a Science Fair on December 14th.  Families are invited to the Science Fair, so mark your calendars for 2pm on 12/14!

 

In addition to planning "catch up" days (days with no lessons), we are setting aside Wednesday mornings for children that need to come in and make up lessons, who want some additional support, or just need the quiet of a very small group in the classroom.  You may drop off your children as early as 7:45 without an appointment.  This is also a great time to check in with us yourself, although we will support children first. 

 

Looking ahead, we will be celebrating a Thanksgiving potluck together on November 23rd.  We will ask students to choose and test a recipe as part of their homework for next week.  We have vegan and gluten free students, so please consider helping your child choose a dish that they can share with all students if possible.  Homework this week will focus on writing directions.

 

Thank you for your ongoing support!  And for the bunny food donations - please keep them coming!

 

Enjoy this beautiful weather!

Jean and Amanda

UEW Update

Hello UEW Families,

 

It is hard to believe that it is already Halloween!  We are looking forward to hearing all presentations of the historical characters tomorrow.  See below for a reminder of the guidelines.  The students have been working hard to finish the rough draft of their Widji research.  This week, they will be working on their presentation.  Most of the supplies that they need can be found at school, but some students are choosing to do project that involve additional supplies such as a tri-fold poster board or a box for a diorama.  Please check in with your child to see what they need. 

 

Conferences are right around the corner!  This year all 5^th and 6^th year students will be joining us for conferences. 

 

Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences will be held on Thursday, November 10th and Friday, November 11th.  

Thursday: 8am-7:30pm

Friday: 8am-4:00pm

 

 

This year, we are planning Historical Persons Day for Oct. 31.  We've already discussed this with your children - here are the parameters we set:  

- The person can be alive or deceased

- A child may dress up as a person of a different gender

- A child may dress up as a person of a different race

- No masks or weapons are allowed

- Large props are not allowed (glasses, hats, canes, books, and small things are okay)

- Face paint, body paint, and colored hair spray are not allowed

 

We will participate in School Spirit Week November 1-4.  Please see school announcements for dress up days if your child is interested in participating.  

 

Our bunny is growing rapidly!  He's eating several cups a greens a day.  In order to help us keep up with his needs, we've been harvesting from the GRS garden and taking him for walks in the garden!   When the weather changes, we'll need help feeding him - please consider donating greens or veggies to satiate our ravenous rabbit!  He loves herbs, dark greens, cabbage, and lettuce.  Thank you in advance!

 

Thank you,

Jean and Amanda

 

UEW Update 10/19/16

Hello UEW Families, 

 

Our classroom has been a very busy, productive place!  Many children have discovered limericks!  We have limericks popping up in all subject areas.  Many of them have been shared as part of our Love of Words gathering.  We gather on Fridays and the students share some of their work with the rest of the class.   In addition to the limericks, students can choose BFD, best friends with the dictionary, and find new and interesting words.  We have also explored prefixes and onomatopoeias! Here are a couple of examples-

 

Limericks are fun,

Write them in the sun,

They are the short

Poem sort,

Five lines and you are done.

 

Snig-let, noun, any word that has no specific name

 

My cousin has a dog named Zeus,

He like to chase moose,

He's black and white,

He has good eyesight,

And he is always on the loose!

 

There once was a country called Andorra,

There were only two people named Nora,

Andorra is quite small

Not very big at all,

And the people love the myth Pandora.

 

 

This year, we are planning Historical Persons Day for Oct. 31.  We've already discussed this with your children - here are the parameters we set:  

- The person can be alive or deceased

- A child may dress up as a person of a different gender

- A child may dress up as a person of a different race

- No masks or weapons are allowed

- Large props are not allowed (glasses, hats, canes, books, and small things are okay)

- Face paint, body paint, and colored hair spray are not allowed

 

We will participate in School Spirit Week November 1-4.  Please see school announcements for dress up days if your child is interested in participating.  

 

Our bunny is growing rapidly!  He's eating several cups a greens a day.  In order to help us keep up with his needs, we've been harvesting from the GRS garden.  When the weather changes, we'll need help feeding him - please consider donating greens or veggies to satiate our ravenous rabbit!  He loves herbs, dark greens, cabbage, and lettuce.  Thank you in advance.

 

 

Please check in with your child regarding any late work.  If your child has work that is late, it will be written on the homework sheet coming home today. 

 

Have a lovely long weekend!  

Jean and Amanda

Update with a fixed typo!

Hello UEW Families, 

It feels like fall!  Our room is either really warm or really cold. so layers are the best solution.  We still have clothes from WIdji, if you are missing anything, come and check it out.

This week the students in UEW finished their classroom contract.  They also spent time talking about expectations of work and behavior and consequences.  The students have made decisions and signed a contract.  If your child has work to be done at home in addition to homework, you will be notified by email.  

We check email in the morning and again at lunch.  If you need to send us information regarding pick up, after lunch time, please make sure to notify the office! 

Pictures from Widji and projects from our quilting residency will be displayed at this Saturday's Harvest Festival.  It takes place here at GRS and runs from 2-5pm.  Please consider attending to feast, dance, and appreciate the work of our community!

School picture day is this Friday, October 14th.  Please send your order form with your child Friday or place your order online.  The photographers will collect paper forms.  

Homework starts this week! We will send our first essay home today.  I will also post it to our classroom blog each week.  Please feel free to gently remind me if I forget to post the assignment.  I will probably forget at least once a month.  Homework is given out on Wednesdays and is due back the following Tuesday.  The goal of homework is to help students build their time management skills and to take responsibility for managing their work.  Topics range widely, but are usually intended to facilitate reflection or to engage students in their local communities.  Math homework may be given to supplement students' work here at school, and will be aimed at reviewing skills and helping students see math applications in their lives outside school.  You can help your child by scheduling time with them that can be set aside to complete the work.  It is our expectation that homework take no more than an hour a week, unless it involves attending an event. Our classroom blog can be found at: grsuew.blogspot.com

This is the last week of our Quilting residency.  Next week we begin a World Dance residency with Robin Nelson.  We're looking forward to active cultural learning and the opportunity to move a bit more in the afternoons!  You can meet Robin (and Mariann, our Quilting resident) at the Harvest Festival!

Best,

Jean and Amanda

UEW Update 10/13/2016

Hello UEE Families, 

It feels like fall!  Our room is either really warm or really cold. so layers are the best solution.  We still have clothes from WIdji, if you are missing anything, come and check it out.

This week the students in UEW finished their classroom contract.  They also spent time talking about expectations of work and behavior and consequences.  The students have made decisions and signed a contract.  If your child has work to be done at home in addition to homework, you will be notified by email.  

We check email in the morning and again at lunch.  If you need to send us information regarding pick up, after lunch time, please make sure to notify the office! 

Pictures from Widji and projects from our quilting residency will be displayed at this Saturday's Harvest Festival.  It takes place here at GRS and runs from 2-5pm.  Please consider attending to feast, dance, and appreciate the work of our community!

School picture day is this Friday, October 14th.  Please send your order form with your child Friday or place your order online.  The photographers will collect paper forms.  

Homework starts this week! We will send our first essay home today.  I will also post it to our classroom blog each week.  Please feel free to gently remind me if I forget to post the assignment.  I will probably forget at least once a month.  Homework is given out on Wednesdays and is due back the following Tuesday.  The goal of homework is to help students build their time management skills and to take responsibility for managing their work.  Topics range widely, but are usually intended to facilitate reflection or to engage students in their local communities.  Math homework may be given to supplement students' work here at school, and will be aimed at reviewing skills and helping students see math applications in their lives outside school.  You can help your child by scheduling time with them that can be set aside to complete the work.  It is our expectation that homework take no more than an hour a week, unless it involves attending an event. Our classroom blog can be found at: grsuew.blogspot.com

This is the last week of our Quilting residency.  Next week we begin a World Dance residency with Robin Nelson.  We're looking forward to active cultural learning and the opportunity to move a bit more in the afternoons!  You can meet Robin (and Mariann, our Quilting resident) at the Harvest Festival!

Best,

Jean and Amanda

Homework Due 10/18/16

 

Camp Widjiwagan

 

Camp Widji was such an amazing experience!  Please write a descriptive essay describing your experience.  It can either be one particular event, or an overview of the whole trip.  Make sure to use lots of adjectives to make it descriptive!

 

 

Expectations:

Write an organized essay with a topic sentence for each paragraph.  Check your spelling and grammar – it's okay to ask an adult or another child to help you with this. 

 

4^th years must write one paragraph of 4 to 5 sentences at a minimum.

5^th years must write two paragraphs.

6^th years must write three paragraphs.

UEW update-10/06/16

Hello UEW Families, 

 

Widji was a huge success!  We had so much fun hiking, canoeing, singing, sharing meals, and being together.  Thank you so much for your support and trust.  Our key experience does so much to bring upper el to a real sense of community and it's delightful to see how strong and independent your students are in nature.

 

We have a sizable Widji Lost and Found set up in the upper el commons.  If your child is missing something, please ask them to check there.  However, many children have been certain that socks, shirts, and other gear are not theirs until we have shown them their name inside, so please consider stopping by yourself to check the table for items that your child may not recognize.  Similarly, if you find things in your child's luggage that don't belong, please send them back and we'll add them to the L&F tables.    

 

As a follow up project from our time at camp, each student will be conducting a research project stemming from her or his experience at Widji.  Students are working this week to identify topics and make mind maps to guide their research.

 

This month our school nurse will be conducting vision and hearing screening with all 4th grade students.  You may hear from her if your child shows signs of not hearing or seeing well.  Fifth and Sixth grade parents can request screening for their students - just email us!

 

Picture day is October 14th!  Your child should have an order form that you can use to fill out an online order or can send back on the 14th if you want pictures.  The photographers will collect the order forms, so you do not need to send them back until the 14th.  

Thanks!

Jean and Amanda

Widji

Hello, 

• Please plan on being at school at 7:00, the bus will leave at 7:30! 
  
•  Amanda will be collecting all medications, please make sure to clearly label everything.  
  
• Your child should have a bag lunch, we will stop on the way.  
  
• Make sure your child had a water bottle with his/her name on it.
  

See you in the morning,

Jean and Amanda

UEW Update with Widji information

Hello UEW Families, 

 

Widji Update:

 

We have had a change for Tuesday.  Widji is not able to provide us with lunch when we arrive, so we are asking that you send a bag lunch with your child for Tuesday.  Please send cold food in disposable containers as we will stop at a rest stop to eat and will not have access to dish washing or microwave facilities.  We will provide snacks as well.  Kids cannot eat on the bus, but are welcome to bring additional snacks for when we stop.  Everyone should bring a reusable water bottle!

 

Children are able to bring a small amount of money to spend at the Widji store.  They cannot spend money on anything else during the week, but many kids enjoy having a water bottle or tshirt that says Camp Widjiwagan to remember the trip.  If you want to send money for your child to spend at the camp store, please put it in an envelope or ziploc bag labeled with their name.  

 

A reminder, it is likely we will not return in time for kids to take the GRS bus home Friday 9/30.  If you are unable to pick your child up, please let us know the arrangements you have made to have another family take them so we will know how everyone is getting home.

 

The current weather forecast for Ely next week shows some light rain and highs in the upper 50s and low 60s.  Please pack rain gear and layers for your child.  If you don't have these things, Widji has many items to lend, but your child will have to seek them out.  Please help them prepare by going over with them what they should ask for when we arrive.  

 

We're so excited to head north!  Thanks for all your help getting ready!    

 

Volunteer opportunities:

 

As your child may have reported, we are using a new lunch procedure four times a week.  Children set up "beautiful lunch" on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.  They lay out table cloths, centerpieces, and plates for each other, then select a quote to read to start lunch.  Our laundry needs have increased significantly, and we're looking for families to do classroom laundry over the weekend.  If you are willing to do laundry for our community, please sign up here:

https://goo.gl/AKhTII

 

 

We're hoping to start up weekly healthy cooking!  If you are willing to support our students in cooking new recipes, please sign up for one or more Wednesdays. The commitment is roughly 2 hours, 9am-11am are best, and the primary needs are supporting new techniques and skills, and helping with time management.  There's a separate prompt on the sign up to indicate whether or not you are able to do grocery shopping for your shift (the kids choose a recipe and make a list).  Any groceries can be reimbursed by GRS if you save the receipt.  Here's the link:

https://goo.gl/WLZtnS

 

Community Event:

Kids Judge!

 

Saturday, November 19 th 12:55 – 4:15

Macalester College - Olin Rice Science Building

 

Great River School 4 th , 5 th and 6 th graders are invited to join Macalester College neuroscience students for an educational afternoon that combines interactive learning with fun experiential presentations and pizza. The event is to excite and inspire children to learn more about science. They will judge college students' presentations about the brain, nervous system and senses. It's fast paced, exciting and lots of engaging fun.

 

To sign up your child, please contact Lee Olson (GRS parent) at 651-

 

696-6223 or lolson4@macalester.edu

 

 

 

Have a great weekend, 

Jean and Amanda