Thank you all for everything that you are doing to keep up with your child's school work from home. I know that it is not always easy and I appreciate each one of you and the help that you are providing.
Thank you for your responses to the survey that I put out on Dojo. I am taking all of your responses into consideration as I continue to plan our last weeks of remote learning. I wanted to let you all know that based on Mr. Fry's request, as well as survey responses, I am planning two Zoom meetings each week. Please know that there is no obligation for your child to attend as I know that you are all busy and possibly overwhelmed. I wanted to make the time available, though, for those that find it helpful for their child's social well-being...and I love seeing the students! Zoom meetings will be posted as an Event in Class Dojo and will almost always be Mondays and Fridays at 3:00 pm. This Friday, May 8, I will need to do the Zoom at 2:00 due to another appointment that I have scheduled that day.
Please be sure that your child is watching the videos on Class Dojo each day, as well as the Phonics video from BJU Press Teacher Tools. I have started asking a 'Participation Question' in the morning video so that I can get a picture of who is viewing the videos and staying engaged in learning while at home.
In Bible, you should be checking out the story of David on the Bible App for Kids. I will be reading some stories about David on video in the coming days as well. Our memory verse is due on Friday, May 8. The memory verse is Psalm 18:1-3: I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies. You will submit this as a video; I will create an assignment folder on Friday and you may add your submission when you feel that you are prepared to recite your verse. Please remember to submit the Bible verse video and also remember to have your child watch the Bible story reading videos on Class Dojo.
We're going to be starting Unit 6 in Language Arts this month. Unit 6 is titled "Treasures" and we will be learning about different types of things that people may consider a treasure, and students will be challenged to be thankful for the things that God has provided for them.
I am sending reading assignments in private messages on Dojo every day. I will ask for a video submission of your child orally reading at least one page from the reading assignment each Thursday or Friday. This way I can keep my running records of your child's reading progress. When listening to your child read, please remember that we do not want to immediately supply them with a word when they don't know how to read it right away. I know it is tempting, but we want them to struggle a bit to sound out difficult words. This helps them to use the phonics tools to help in decoding and gives them confidence that they CAN do it and that they don't need an adult to save them from tough words.
We will not be doing a proper spelling class during this time outside of the classroom. It's much too difficult to 'test' spelling. My suggestion is to keep practicing your spelling words and introduce new words using new sounds that you learn in your language lessons. ABC Mouse and Spelling City are good websites to check out for spelling practice as well, but I will not be requiring any extra time on these sites.
For math, please remember to log on to Khan Academy daily to see your assignments for the day. We are working on measurement this week. Also, try to use Happy Numbers a little bit each day to keep practicing your math facts and skills. The weekly goal for each child is to spend 45 minutes on Happy Numbers, so be sure that your child is logging on for math practice.
I am sending reading assignments in private messages on Dojo every day. I will ask for a video submission of your child orally reading at least one page from the reading assignment each Thursday or Friday. This way I can keep my running records of your child's reading progress. When listening to your child read, please remember that we do not want to immediately supply them with a word when they don't know how to read it right away. I know it is tempting, but we want them to struggle a bit to sound out difficult words. This helps them to use the phonics tools to help in decoding and gives them confidence that they CAN do it and that they don't need an adult to save them from tough words.
We will not be doing a proper spelling class during this time outside of the classroom. It's much too difficult to 'test' spelling. My suggestion is to keep practicing your spelling words and introduce new words using new sounds that you learn in your language lessons. ABC Mouse and Spelling City are good websites to check out for spelling practice as well, but I will not be requiring any extra time on these sites.
For math, please remember to log on to Khan Academy daily to see your assignments for the day. We are working on measurement this week. Also, try to use Happy Numbers a little bit each day to keep practicing your math facts and skills. The weekly goal for each child is to spend 45 minutes on Happy Numbers, so be sure that your child is logging on for math practice.
For Science and Social Studies, you will have a weekly Scholastic News article to read. You can also check out and listen to each article on scholasticnews.com using our class password bcsfabfirst. I'll send a file with Skill Sheets for each article on Monday. Your child only needs to choose 1 of the Skill Sheets each week and submit it by Friday. You are welcome to do more than one, but only one is required.
If the weather is nice, I hope you're spending time outside getting fresh air and exercise. You could even practice math and sight word spelling using sidewalk chalk on your driveway!
Everyone has been doing a great job submitting work on Class Dojo. A few of you have also sent videos telling me what's been going on with you since we last saw each other and I love those! I will try to post an optional assignment at least once a week where you can submit a video response.
I miss you all and pray that God will bring us back together soon!
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Blessings!
Blessings!
Jackie McClure :)
