Resources for Families in the Event of an Unexpected Closing

Dear Parents,
Below are resources that can be utilized at home during an unexpected closure. Please remember that these are all optional. During times of worry and unrest, structure and routine can bring normalcy and a sense of calmness to our children. In keeping my students' best interest in mind, I have put together activities for both families with and without Internet to allow your child to access what they need to keep their minds and creativity active. Please note that these resources are ones we have accessed throughout the entire school year and your child is already familiar with how to utilize them. I would suggest setting a goal with your child about what they would like to accomplish each day. My recommendation is to choose a reading, writing, and math activity each day. Keep in mind that our daily reading goal is 20 minutes.

 I have not mentioned this blog post to the students at this point as I don't want to give them additional worry. I simply wanted families to be prepared. Hopefully we will not need these resources and things will improve! Thank you always for your support and remember I am always an e-mail or Dojo message away!

~Mrs. Carr

Families with Internet: The following activities can be accessed on your child's Chromebook. They have the login information necessary. 

*Google Classroom Activities (Lang & Lit, Writing, I&S):

-Students can complete any unfinished assignments on our Lang & Lit, Argument Writing, or Pursuit of Power Google Classrooms

*Join Mrs. Carr's Google Classroom for WIN: 

Have your child join the classroom by entering the code: 3l7wmwu

I have posted several debatable topic articles with corresponding activities.

*Buzz Word-Go to our Lang & Lit Google Classroom and open the "Buzz Word" assignment. Download the buzz word sheet to Kami and choose a word to complete the activity using www.dictionary.com as a resource. 

*Prodigy-Math Game

www.prodigygame.com

*Sora-Online Chapter Books and Picture Books

https://soraapp.com/welcome

*Brainpop-Online videos with corresponding games, quizzes, and activities that cover all subject areas

https://www.brainpop.com/

*True Flix-Online books and videos that cover all subject areas

https://sdm-tfx.digital.scholastic.com/splash?authCtx=U.600077937

*Brains On!-Collection of podcasts on various topics of interest. 

https://www.brainson.org/

*Free Writing on Google Docs-Students can write narratives by accessing a fresh Google doc or continue writing a story that is already in progress. 

Families without Internet:

*Read chapter book at home and choose one of the following activities below to respond to the text-

*Free Writing on paper-students can utilize one of the prompts below if they are stuck!

*Buzz Word-Select a buzz word from the following list and create the buzz word chart on paper to show your understanding of the word. 

Buzz Word List:

metacognition

reflective

principled

tolerant

empathetic

balanced

lethargic

persist

didactic

humble

gullible

sulk

plethora

timid

melancholy

delegate

awe

effervescent

perspective

ambiance

analyze

collaborate

hypothesis

entitled

reliable

mischief

thrifty

treacherous

diversity

anxious

evidence

zealous

pessimist

excessive

conserve

Take a Peek at Our Week!

In lang & lit we worked on addressing the other side of the argument by writing counterclaim/rebuttal statements. Student worked on analyzing either snow days, cell phones, or television. We learned that identifying the other side and coming back with evidence that is stronger, it creates a more powerful argument! We also wrote counterclaim/rebuttal statements for our chocolate milk essays and students picked where they thought these statements would make the most impact (hook, body paragraph, conclusion). Next week we will be working on our final debatable topic-recycling!

In writing, we used an exemplar of argument writing to find the different parts of the essay before we began writing our own essays. We will refer to this sample of writing throughout the unit as a way for students to understand what success in each area looks like. Students worked on identifying their claims for chocolate milk and we worked as a class to identify reasons to support BOTH sides of the debate. Students then selected reasons that best supported their thesis. We also began to write our body paragraphs to include a topic sentence, specific evidence to prove their claim, transitions, and elaboration. We are really applying what we have learned so far and the students are showing such progress!!

In I&S, we worked on making connections between the government structures we have been learning about and our classroom structures. Next, we worked on identifying the responsibilities and actions of citizens within a community. We also began our branches of government jigsaw. Each student was assigned either the legislative, executive, or judicial branch of government. Their job is to research and record information as a way to teach others in their group about their "piece of the puzzle". We will finish our jigsaw activity next week!

Just a reminder to go to the parent portal to view your child's report card. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out! I can help if you are having difficulty accessing your child's report card online. Please just send me a Dojo message or an e-mail. :-)

 This week we talked about taking normal germ precautions to help protect ourselves and our classroom environment. We are making sure to wash our hands before eating snacks and before we leave for lunch. We are also keeping our work areas clean! Students are more than welcome to bring in their own pencil cases in if they do not want to share materials!

Reminders for Next Week:

*ELA State Test is 3/25 & 3/26

*Don't forget to turn in your Reading HW and signed Weekly News for Dojos!

Have a wonderful weekend,

~Mrs. Carr