We had a wonderful second week of school! I feel we are all getting more into routine, and understanding of our learning community is spreading quickly as we work together to learn both academically and from one another. I feel so blessed to have this opportunity with your children and the abundant support and encouragement from all of you-- asante sana!
1. If you have a child in Pre-school or K-1, expect at some point over the school year to see a notice sent home to you announcing that your child is our "Child of the Week." This means that your child's name was drawn and they have an opportunity to share special things about themselves and bring in some favorite objects. There will be a sheet sent home giving ideas of things for your child to bring in, including a picture of their family and perhaps (optional) their favorite snack.
2. Writing Tutoring- Christie Meidema (a former elementary ed. teacher) has been helping in our classroom these past two weeks, and she has offered to come in from 9:55-10:15 on Fridays during tutoring for any students you feel could use some extra help with handwriting or cursive.
3. Please check out our first "Newsletter" updating you on what learning is looking like in our classes thus far. If you ever have any questions or concerns, please-please contact me either through e-mail or at the Guest house #200 and ask for Sarah.
Thanks!
~Sarah Wisner
Newsletter #1
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Preschool: We began the curriculum called "Five in a Row" which covers a story book each week and has various subject area lessons to go with the story. Our first week was spent reading "A Story about Ping" and we learned about buoyancy, the Yangtze River in China and introduction to counting/adding. Lots of FUN!
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K-6 Geography: We are studying African Geography (no set curriculum). Week 1 we studied the world, continents, oceans with a focus on Africa. Look for maps to be coming home next Friday of last week's project. Our 2nd week we studied African Animals, and saw a slideshow of a few animals seen on a Massai Mara Safari.
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K-1:
10:45-12:45 has been devoted to math and writing. We most recently have been learning/reviewing handwriting of lowercase letters, patterns of _+1=, counting by 2's, and working through individual math books (and of course read-aloud time of "Mrs. Piggle Wiggle")!
Science: We are using our one science class/week to go through "Usborne's Guide to the Universe."
Art: This is a fun class that will cover some of the essentials of art such as line, shape, color, etc. We will use a variety of materials to create projects which allow your child to show understanding of what they are learning.
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3-6
Writing: We officially began "Institute for Excellence in Writing" (IEW) as a class our second week and are off to a great start! This program can sometimes be a challenge because it requires students to look at writing a little bit different from what most are used to, but our first two days have been great and I'm looking forward to see how each of our writers progresses over the next few months!
Art: "God and the History of Art" is the chosen curriculum for this class and I love the way we learn history through a Christ-centered perspective while tacking foundational (and therefore at times tedious) assignments. As we progress, our students will be able to look back and see how important having a good foundation is to be excellent in what they attempt.
Science: Apologia's Astronomy has already prompted much discussion and team-work among the 3-6th graders and I am proud of the way they are showing unity in the classroom!
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