The Mathematician's Workshop     Our Expedition     Literacy Workshops

 

!!!Welcome!!! 

TO

Shanna's 2/3 Crew Homepage

2011 - 2012

 

^{Important Dates}  

 

 

*December 5th - Winter Concert at the Bemidji High School

*December 6th - A visit from the Dentist! :)

*December 23rd - First Day of Winter Break!

                                                 *January 2nd - return from Winter Break! YEAH! :)

 

 

 

 

                   

            

                    

     

 

   

 

 

~Notes From the Teacher~

   We've placed the field cameras and survived natures unexpected attempt to scare the wits out of us! We'll be checking the field cameras every Thursday morning, rotating the 3 crews - 2 weeks on 1 week off. When we check the cameras a few students at a time will be allowed to go in close to the site and the rest of the crew will hang back. We are hoping to have a few parent volunteers to help in this activity.  If you are interested just email, call, or stop in to figure out the details.

We're all very excited to see if we have any great captures on the picture cards - so everyone cross your fingers!

 

 

 

 

 

    

Important Information

 Home Reading Response Journal

This is our first week of "REAL" HRRJs! The students are expected to turn this in on Friday the week. I'm looking forward to seeing what your kids are reading!

 

!!!We have a subscription to Tumble Books (on-line books).  These Books may be used for the Reading Home Journal.  Just click on the Tumble Book Library Logo below!!!

 

 

username - schoolcraftlc

 

password - books

 

 

 

 

_{Classroom Needs/Wants}

_{We are in want of large throw pillows and chair shaped pillows for work and reading.}

 

_{Specialist Schedule}

Monday - Conflict Management

Tuesday - Physical Education - Don't forget your tennis shoes and good outside gear - often P.E. is held outside so send your child dressed for the weather.

Wednesday - Choir and French

Thursday - No Specials - Expedition Day

Friday - Music

 

 

 

^{Important Dates}  

 

 

*December 5th - Winter Concert at the Bemidji High School

*December 6th - A visit from the Dentist! :)

*December 23rd - First Day of Winter Break!

*January 2nd - return from Winter Break! YEAH! :)

 

 

As always, Carla's web page is up and running and awesome - so... If you're looking to find some great websites Carla's is a great resource for parents to turn to. You can check out Carla's Wiki page by clicking on the link below.

http://carlas23.pbworks.com/w/page/26786957/Welcome%20to%20Carla%27s%20Crew%20Homepage

OR her yola page by clicking on the link below.

http://carlascrew.yolasite.com/

 

Please patient with me as I get this and hopefully other pages up and running - it is a learning process and takes time (what's that!?). :)

 

CLASSROOM/CREW CULTURE

 

 

     Upon entering our cabin this year you'll notice something a bit new... we have NEW TABLES! Yeah! Along with the new tables I am looking to add a variety of choices for work space. Chairs, yoga balls, coffee tables, lap desks, clip boards, bean bags - just to name a few. Students will self-select a work spot during each block of instructional time (Math Workshop, Reading Workshop, Writing Workshop, Expedition Workshop). I call this “choice seating”.  Some children may choose a table with several other children, while others may choose an independent work spot, such as a desk, a bean bag or rocking chair, a stool, a pillow, or a spot to lie on the floor using a clipboard.  The amazing thing behind this idea is that your child, through a series of mini lessons during the first part of the year, will be given the responsibility to choose the spot where he/she can work most successfully.

WHY AM I DOING IT?

The following comes from The Learning Community @http://www.thelearningcommunity.us

What is a Learning Style?

We used to think that everyone studied best in the same way —sitting alone quietly at a desk in a well-lit room.  Recently, researchers have found that this “style” of acquiring new knowledge doesn’t work for everyone.  Some people will remember a paragraph better if they read it while lying on the sofa rather than sitting at a desk.  Some people will remember it better if they’re listening to music.  The individual way in which each of us learns best is our personal learning style.

Why is Learning Style Important?

Learning style is more than a question of being physically comfortable while studying.  A child who doesn’t study according to his or her learning style will have trouble learning and retaining new information.  This mismatch not only affects your child’s performance, but also his or her attitude toward learning.  In other words, learning style relates to your child’s motivation.

It’s important to remember that children can learn almost any subject matter if it’s taught in a matter consistent with their learning style.  By the same token, when learning style is ignored, your child’s chances of failing increase substantially.  By supporting your child’s learning style, you help make learning easier and more enjoyable—a rewarding, lifelong pursuit for your child.

What is my child’s learning style?

Notice the way your children study.  Do they like to study in front of the television or with music?  Do they close the door to their rooms and disappear for an hour or two?  If it works, don’t try to change your child’s routine.  It may seem hard to believe that your child is actually learning, but remember, you may have a very different learning style.

Learning styles can change.  In fact, most children start out with a more global learning style and move into an analytical style (analyzing everything) as they get older.  But this doesn’t mean that your child will eventually end up at a desk.

What happens when my child goes to school?

This is an important question, because your child’s learning style doesn’t change just because he or she leaves home.  It is essential that your child’s classroom teacher take different learning styles into account in order to meet each child’s needs.

***One way to determine whether your child’s teacher supports different learning styles is to notice how the classroom is set up.  It should at least recognize the difference between global and analytic learners, for example, by offering different seating arrangements.  One area may have traditional desks, another may have rugs, pillows, or beanbag chairs.***

The key is whether the classroom offers a variety of environments.  Such a classroom will be divided into different areas so that children with one learning style can study in one area without interfering with children in another area where a different learning style is being supported.

 

 

Many thanks to Mrs. Poovey & Mrs. Kile  for the framework of this letter