Dear parents and students,
In these uncertain and unforeseen times, we need to adjust to our situation. With such a significant loss of educational time together; we need to find ways to communicate and continue the learning process. I will update over time and we may need to use an electronic means to do more. Here are some ideas and ways to do so:
READ
By far, THE most important (academic) thing to do each day. Read books for fun. Read nonfiction books about topics they are interested in. Read instructions. Read recipes. Read together. Bring a blanket outside and read under a tree. Build a fort and read with flashlights... just READ!
Note that students who were at school on Friday, March 13 have books from the school library in their backpacks as well as Humphrey. However, all students can choose from a huge selection of books on their level on Myon (go to the Westridge webpage, under Links, access thru Clever, and login with Office 365). Myon uses leveled reading material with multiple choices of topics to read about. I strongly recommend it.
WRITE
Write e-cards to seniors in nursing homes/assisted living communities who aren’t allowed to have visitors right now. Write a short story & illustrate it. Make a scrapbook of a special time. Write a story cooperatively (Person #1 says a sentence, paragraph, or page. Person #2 adds a sentence, paragraph, or page, etc. making sure there are characters, a setting, problem and solution). Write lengthy, creative stories. Make lists. Write Poetry. Write a letter/email to a different friend/family member each day. Research a topic you’re interested in and write a report, brochure, PowerPoint, etc.
STUDY SCIENCE
5th graders have almost completed all science learning objectives for the year. Before the thought of schools closing, 5th grade teachers had planned to send these materials out today anyway. Students in class Friday, Mar. 13 already received a hard copy of the Pink SOL Study Guide Packet and the White SOL Review Log #1. If your child was not in class Friday, you can print these from the files section (on left) under Science, SOL Review folder. If unable to print, students can study the Packet from the screen and copy facts for the Review Log onto loose-leaf paper. Each day:
1. Study the assigned page(s) of the pink SOL Study Guide Packet for at least 20 minutes (see white SOL Review Log#1 for the assigned pages for each day). Students can use the Science Vocab. Menu for different study activities or see the suggested activities at the bottom of the white Review Log.
2. After studying, they copy 3 facts they still need to work on in a complete sentence on the white Review Log (please bullet or number them in the box. If you run out of room, you can use the back). Students can copy the question AND the answer: “What is an observation? What you see, feel, taste, hear, or smell.” OR turn the question and answer into a complete sentence. For example, "An observation is what you see, feel, taste, hear, or smell."
If your student is a science rock star and remembers all the information on the page immediately the first time around when you quiz them, they should still write 3 facts down on their log. For these few students, we recommend they write their 3 least favorite facts.
BUILD/EXPERIMENT
Build things with Lego’s, blocks, Magnatiles, play dough, clay, materials you have around the house (like boxes and duct tape, popsicle sticks, etc). Choose from one of these Maker Station Creations https://drive.google.com/file/d/1T4CZCt8hJqYLVT5ZVYpR7SgHLWDWaaUO/view?fbclid=IwAR04xZeks_ROUWe9lYeiVgjXJJyacMGw0ShgKCjd3Zmo8woQmosAKb3lbc-c Draw a blueprint beforehand and build anything. Just use your imagination!
This site has loads of true science experiments with variables, so you can do some hands-on learning at home and right now its FREE! I've linked the 5th grade page, but you can go to the Grade Level tab on left and explore 3rd, 4th, or 6th too.
CREATE
Get out the art materials (paper, glue, scissors, colored pencils, paint). Create a mural or collage. Bake something or help cook dinner. Learn to sew or how to make a stuffed animal. We rarely have time for this stuff in 5th grade, but they still love it!
PLAY
Play Board games (like Apples to Apples, Stratego, Connect 4, Blokus, Battleship) Play Card games (like Uno, War, Rummy). Build a puzzle (500-1000 pieces). Make a scavenger hunt. So much learning is packed into play without kids even realizing it.
GO OUTSIDE/EXERCISE
Get out as much as you can. Not out to places with lots of people (obviously). But go for a hike. Climb a tree. Ride your bike. Jump rope. Look at the clouds. Take out the sidewalk chalk. Have races (hop on one foot, crabwalk, walking backwards, etc.). Make an obstacle course or fort. Do yardwork: rake leaves, get the garden ready, or plant flowers. Hiking and being in nature has been proven to reduce stress and anxiety for kids and adults!
GET CLEAN & ORGANIZED
Clean out your bedroom/playroom and donate old clothes/toys. Clean out and wash the car. Wash the things that never get washed (ceiling fans, baseboards, windows, the fridge). Organize the junk drawers. Wash and brush the dog.
LEARN ONLINE
Honestly, I prefer for students to be engaged in as many of the other activities on this page as possible, using their creative brains, problem solving through play, exercising outdoors. As some of you have asked for online resources here are a few trusted favorite companies. If students are online, I recommend no more than an hour a day.
1. https://classroommagazines.scholastic.com/support/learnathome.html scroll to bottom and click “3-5 grades” for 20 days of cross curricular learning: integrated high interest reading passages with short video clips, writing prompts, math and science activities, virtual field trips, etc.
2. http://wonderopolis.org/ high interest reading passages with short video clips, vocab and comprehension quizzes, and activities related to the readings.
3. https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/explore/science/science-lab/ high interest reading passages on a variety of topics. Check out the “Explore” tab at top, and click “Science” for lots of fun hands-on science activities.
And of course, students can use these sites they are already familiar with: Dreambox (Math) and StudyIsland (Reading, Math, and Science. Click on VA standards, 5th grade). Both of these can be most easily accessed by going to the Westridge webpage, under Links, access thru Clever, and login with Office 365.
TALK
Talk to your kids! Talk with them about how they are feeling right now. Watch this video (username: westridgeel, pw:pop) https://www.brainpop.com/health/diseasesinjuriesandconditions/coronavirus/
or read this article https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/02/28/809580453/just-for-kids-a-comic-exploring-the-new-coronavirus
Ask if they have questions or fears. Ask how they are feeling about things they’ve been hearing, about not having school, about all the change taking place, etc. Many adults feel a little unsure right now and kids pick up on our anxieties. So please check in with them. Then, just talk to them about life without the interruptions of tvs, phones, tablets. We are often so busy that it’s hard to find time good quality time to talk to our kids. Time with us is really what they crave most. Now some of us have some real, uninterrupted time to just be with them and spend time relearning what amazing people they are.
Sorry for the length of this email, but there was so much info I wanted to get out (most of which was borrowed from other teachers, moms, fb groups…I love our community!) Please let me know if you or your family need anything or have questions. I’d love to be of help if I can.
Take care and stay healthy everyone!
Mr. Greenberg
Place announcements, files, Links, photos, curriculum scope etc