Winter Break Notes

When we return to school on Monday, we will begin our informative writing instruction. In past experience it would be a good idea for you to know in what topic/subject your child feels they are an expert. Some examples from past projects include:

• Weather
• Theater Arts
• Tigers
• Football

Our first step of the writing process will include:

1. Brainstorming possible topics for writing
2. Choosing and charting information regarding the topic
3. Organizing the information into chapters

A good example of what the above first steps may look like when completed may be:

Sharks

• The Life Cycle of the Shark
• Shark Habits
• Threats to Sharks

Additionally, as part of your child's homework across this unit, have your child describe for you the daily writing lesson. This will help to cement the learning in their memory and facilitate their work in class (the lessons will also be outlined in the daily messages here). As they describe the lesson to you try out what they describe for yourself. This will help them to see an expert writer involved in the writing process close up. You will be on the same writing step as they are and they will see your project grow as theirs does. It will also inform you as to their ability to repeat information they learn in class. It is best that your subject of expertise NOT be the same as your child's. Let them have their own area of expertise as you will  have your own. You might draw upon your current or past work experience for ideas or even take some time to research a new topic you are interested in. Examples may include:

• Cooking
• Organic Gardening
• Exercising
• Driving
• Sewing

Also, you have probably seen by now your child's world map that they will use to study the for this reporting period's exam. To clarify, your child does not need to know the the boundaries of the continents. They will only need to label the continent with its name (i.e. get the correct name in the correct spot on the map). They will also need to label the oceans and Los Angeles as discussed on Back-to-School Night.

Your child also has 2 of the 5 stanzas (written in their own hand) of a poem we are memorizing for individual recital. The other stanzas will be forthcoming (SL.1.4.a).