Dear Families,
Winter Break is from December 22-January 2nd. On Monday, January 5th, the school offices will be open, but classes will not be in session until Tuesday the
6th. Monday is a Staff Professional Development Day.
When we return and in order for families and staff to reconnect, Innovations Academy will be hosting a 'Welcome Back!' potluck in the MPR from 5:30-8pm on Tuesday, January 13th. Please come! As you all know, your children recently presented our play to the entire school and some of the parents who were able to come. I've been asked if we could perform at the potluck on January 13th! Could you please check your schedule and let me know if you can be there. Every child in the class had a part or responsibility in the play of some kind or another. Please email me at kim@innovationsacademy.org.
I'll be working on another project idea over the break. I'm actually very excited about it, but will share more as I do more planning. In the meantime, please enjoy your break. And remember, you can always email me with any questions or concerns.
See you when we get back!!
Kim
Arriving at Smith Ranch
Arriving at Smith Ranch!
Friday, December 19, 2008
Friday, December 12, 2008
Kim's Classroom Update
Dear Families,
We are just a week away from Christmas Break! By this time of year, I hope all of your children feel like their classroom (my classroom) is a safe place where they can share their feelings, hopes, and dreams. It's amazing to me how fast the time has gone by!
We are still planning to perform our play on Wednesday, December 17th at 8:30am. It still may be a bit rough around the edges, but I've already heard some moans and groans when they've been asked to start over, and over, and over! You are welcome to join us in the MPR room.
We are postponing the Wax Museum until we get back from Christmas break as I want their writing to be excellent. That will mean a few more drafts and going back for more research. I expect moans and groans! I have been talking to your children about excellence and not settling - it is the classroom culture that I want to instill! I have already seen an improvement in their writing and understanding of what makes a good paragraph.
I hope you all have the opportunity to go to Rubio's for our fundraiser tonight. I unfortunately will not be there as I am actually working on a project outside of school to clear my credential for life!
You have delightful children and I love having them in my classroom.
Sincerely,
Kim
We are just a week away from Christmas Break! By this time of year, I hope all of your children feel like their classroom (my classroom) is a safe place where they can share their feelings, hopes, and dreams. It's amazing to me how fast the time has gone by!
We are still planning to perform our play on Wednesday, December 17th at 8:30am. It still may be a bit rough around the edges, but I've already heard some moans and groans when they've been asked to start over, and over, and over! You are welcome to join us in the MPR room.
We are postponing the Wax Museum until we get back from Christmas break as I want their writing to be excellent. That will mean a few more drafts and going back for more research. I expect moans and groans! I have been talking to your children about excellence and not settling - it is the classroom culture that I want to instill! I have already seen an improvement in their writing and understanding of what makes a good paragraph.
I hope you all have the opportunity to go to Rubio's for our fundraiser tonight. I unfortunately will not be there as I am actually working on a project outside of school to clear my credential for life!
You have delightful children and I love having them in my classroom.
Sincerely,
Kim
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Our Classroom
Dear Families,
I hope you all enjoyed a restful break over Thanksgiving! Your children came back to school looking happy and ready to learn. The dioramas for the Wax Museum history projects are truly amazing. I am so proud of them and the efforts they put forth in order to learn about their chosen historical figure. Please plan for them to come in costume on Thursday, December 18th. On that day, all the students at IA will have the opportunity to visit our classroom and see your child dressed as their historical figure (Alexander the Great, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, Walt Disney, President Obama, and more)! Since your child will be the expert, they will be in a position to share their research, dioramas, and writing.
Our play will also be unveiled on the morning of Wednesday, December 17th (I hope). We are currently working on the expressive delivery of their lines, facing the audience, and and timing. We need a ship's captain costume and some octopus legs we can somehow attach to one of the students. Any ideas or help would be appreciated!!! Providing everything goes as planned, we should be in the MPR room at approximately 8:30am performing. Parents, I hope you know you are always welcome to come and enjoy the fun!
Since coming back from break, your child has also been offered some additional P.E. activities. Some started learning volleyball skills in the gym, others are swimming, and today we had an entire all-school ice-skating hour. Your children will have one more opportunity to ice-skate on the Wednesday before Christmas break. However next Wednesday, the 10th of December, instead of ice-skating we will be heading north for a field trip to the Museum of Making Music in Carlsbad. We would like to arrive there at 9:30am for a tour, so we will be leaving shortly after students arrive at school. The cost is $3.00 for students and if you plan to drive, we need your insurance documents turned into Teresa prior to leaving that morning. The cost for adults is $5.00.
Please stop by or email me anytime for an update on your child's progress. Our mission as always is to support your children in their learning.
Sincerely,
Kim
I hope you all enjoyed a restful break over Thanksgiving! Your children came back to school looking happy and ready to learn. The dioramas for the Wax Museum history projects are truly amazing. I am so proud of them and the efforts they put forth in order to learn about their chosen historical figure. Please plan for them to come in costume on Thursday, December 18th. On that day, all the students at IA will have the opportunity to visit our classroom and see your child dressed as their historical figure (Alexander the Great, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, Walt Disney, President Obama, and more)! Since your child will be the expert, they will be in a position to share their research, dioramas, and writing.
Our play will also be unveiled on the morning of Wednesday, December 17th (I hope). We are currently working on the expressive delivery of their lines, facing the audience, and and timing. We need a ship's captain costume and some octopus legs we can somehow attach to one of the students. Any ideas or help would be appreciated!!! Providing everything goes as planned, we should be in the MPR room at approximately 8:30am performing. Parents, I hope you know you are always welcome to come and enjoy the fun!
Since coming back from break, your child has also been offered some additional P.E. activities. Some started learning volleyball skills in the gym, others are swimming, and today we had an entire all-school ice-skating hour. Your children will have one more opportunity to ice-skate on the Wednesday before Christmas break. However next Wednesday, the 10th of December, instead of ice-skating we will be heading north for a field trip to the Museum of Making Music in Carlsbad. We would like to arrive there at 9:30am for a tour, so we will be leaving shortly after students arrive at school. The cost is $3.00 for students and if you plan to drive, we need your insurance documents turned into Teresa prior to leaving that morning. The cost for adults is $5.00.
Please stop by or email me anytime for an update on your child's progress. Our mission as always is to support your children in their learning.
Sincerely,
Kim
Friday, November 21, 2008
Enjoy Your Break!!!
Dear Parents,
I enjoyed meeting with you during conference days. For me, it was a time for additional discovery about your children. For those of you asking for support in math or handwriting, look for a weekly packet in your child's backpack on Mondays. However, don't forget the first Monday after Thanksgiving break (Dec. 1st) is a staff day, so those packets will be in their backpack on Tuesday!
One of our goals at IA is to stay in touch with our families. As a result, mandatory parent in-service meetings are planned for either Monday, December 1st or Thursday,December 4th. Please choose which day better fits into your schedule. Both meetings are from 7-8pm. The December 1st meeting is in the Community Room in the Administrative Building and the December 4th is in the Multi-Purpose Room (where your children have lunch everyday).
After our break, your children will have expanded choices for their P.E. activities. They may have mentioned to you that they were receiving activity passes for the KROC center. If you have not returned the permission/liability forms for skateboarding and the rock-climbing wall, please do so. We want all of the children to have the opportunity to participate (rock-climbing, ice-skating, skateboarding, swimming, gym activities, game-room, field-sports, etc....)!
For those of you who were not able to visit during conference days, your children have an assignment over the break. Please ask them what historical figure they have chosen for our "Wax Museum" activity. They need to create a diorama representing their chosen historical figure in time and return it to the classroom when they return on December 2nd. Your children have had the opportunity to see dioramas in our classroom. On December 18th, we will be presenting our "Wax Museum" to the school, so you children will need to come dressed as their historical figure. Please don't go out and buy costumes as I don't want our activities to be a drain on your budget. Look through closets or ask friends to loan an article of clothing to you.
I think that's it for now! Have a wonderful break.
Sincerely,
Kim
I enjoyed meeting with you during conference days. For me, it was a time for additional discovery about your children. For those of you asking for support in math or handwriting, look for a weekly packet in your child's backpack on Mondays. However, don't forget the first Monday after Thanksgiving break (Dec. 1st) is a staff day, so those packets will be in their backpack on Tuesday!
One of our goals at IA is to stay in touch with our families. As a result, mandatory parent in-service meetings are planned for either Monday, December 1st or Thursday,December 4th. Please choose which day better fits into your schedule. Both meetings are from 7-8pm. The December 1st meeting is in the Community Room in the Administrative Building and the December 4th is in the Multi-Purpose Room (where your children have lunch everyday).
After our break, your children will have expanded choices for their P.E. activities. They may have mentioned to you that they were receiving activity passes for the KROC center. If you have not returned the permission/liability forms for skateboarding and the rock-climbing wall, please do so. We want all of the children to have the opportunity to participate (rock-climbing, ice-skating, skateboarding, swimming, gym activities, game-room, field-sports, etc....)!
For those of you who were not able to visit during conference days, your children have an assignment over the break. Please ask them what historical figure they have chosen for our "Wax Museum" activity. They need to create a diorama representing their chosen historical figure in time and return it to the classroom when they return on December 2nd. Your children have had the opportunity to see dioramas in our classroom. On December 18th, we will be presenting our "Wax Museum" to the school, so you children will need to come dressed as their historical figure. Please don't go out and buy costumes as I don't want our activities to be a drain on your budget. Look through closets or ask friends to loan an article of clothing to you.
I think that's it for now! Have a wonderful break.
Sincerely,
Kim
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Important News!!
Dear parents,
On Wednesday, November 19th and Thursday, November 20th from 1-4pm the teachers at IA are holding conferences. I'm sorry we cannot accomodate your work schedules by holding conferences at night as we share our school space with the KROC Center and evening classroom time is not available. I would like to have half of you come on Wednesday and the other half on Thursday if possible. Could you please email me with your preferences and I can confirm the day. The conferences in my room are going to be student-led (in other words your children will be sharing what they have been doing, their work, place in the classroom, etc...). I will be available in the classroom to answer your questions regarding your child's progress.
Also, I wanted to remind you that for Thanksgiving the kids are off the entire week (Nov. 24th - Nov. 28th). Additionally, December 1st is a day for the staff to be working at the school without students in attendance. So, please make your childcare arrangements accordingly.
Your children are engaged in a wide variety of learning opportunities. A writing, art, and life science project is under way, they continue with DI/Language Arts and math, social and emotional development, an earth science endeavor, and early American history. I would like them to create a diorama for history, so could you all please send in a shoe box, to work with. Your children are also continuing to work on our play. Almost all of the costumes have been chosen and some of the set created. Thank you Cheryl (Kaya's Mom) for sharing your many costumes and allowing us to pull out what we needed. We do still need a costume for the ship's captain, two sailor hats, a costume for the little boy, an octopus costume, and a very big babydoll.
Also, don't be surprised if your children are soon asking with some help on a costume for their chosen historical figure. We will be creating a sort of educational wax museum where your children will dress as their favorite historical character. More details will follow!
Please feel free to contact me anytime with your concerns or ideas about my classroom or IA.
Sincerely,
Kim
kim@innovationsacademy.org
On Wednesday, November 19th and Thursday, November 20th from 1-4pm the teachers at IA are holding conferences. I'm sorry we cannot accomodate your work schedules by holding conferences at night as we share our school space with the KROC Center and evening classroom time is not available. I would like to have half of you come on Wednesday and the other half on Thursday if possible. Could you please email me with your preferences and I can confirm the day. The conferences in my room are going to be student-led (in other words your children will be sharing what they have been doing, their work, place in the classroom, etc...). I will be available in the classroom to answer your questions regarding your child's progress.
Also, I wanted to remind you that for Thanksgiving the kids are off the entire week (Nov. 24th - Nov. 28th). Additionally, December 1st is a day for the staff to be working at the school without students in attendance. So, please make your childcare arrangements accordingly.
Your children are engaged in a wide variety of learning opportunities. A writing, art, and life science project is under way, they continue with DI/Language Arts and math, social and emotional development, an earth science endeavor, and early American history. I would like them to create a diorama for history, so could you all please send in a shoe box, to work with. Your children are also continuing to work on our play. Almost all of the costumes have been chosen and some of the set created. Thank you Cheryl (Kaya's Mom) for sharing your many costumes and allowing us to pull out what we needed. We do still need a costume for the ship's captain, two sailor hats, a costume for the little boy, an octopus costume, and a very big babydoll.
Also, don't be surprised if your children are soon asking with some help on a costume for their chosen historical figure. We will be creating a sort of educational wax museum where your children will dress as their favorite historical character. More details will follow!
Please feel free to contact me anytime with your concerns or ideas about my classroom or IA.
Sincerely,
Kim
kim@innovationsacademy.org
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Update from Kim's Class
Dear parents,
I want to express my gratitude for your participation as chaperones on our recent zoo and science museum field trips. Without your support, we wouldn't be able to participate in these learning opportunities. Since my students are currently writing reports on animals, the trip to the zoo gave us a chance to see some of these animals up close and discuss why some are vulnerable or endangered. Usually it's because of habitat loss. At the science museum, students engaged in a challenging activity focused on animal adaptation. They were asked to create a mouth that could consume various types of food. Materials included clothes pines, the cardboard roll inside paper towel and toilet paper rolls, plastic bottle, etc... Later we were asked to classify animals as carnivores, herbivores, or omnivores by looking at the jaw and teeth of various animals - an additional way to learn about adaptation!
Your children are also going to be involved in a dramatic creation and we need materials such as large cardboard boxes to build a set and help making costumes. Kaya's mom has volunteered to help with costumes. Are there any others interested in helping??? The students will alse be asking the Kroc Center for help as there is a theatre here. I'll keep you posted.
Just a reminder! There is no school on Tuesday, November 11th for Veteran's Day! The Kroc Center offers activities if you don't have childcare for that day!
Kim
Dear parents,
I want to express my gratitude for your participation as chaperones on our recent zoo and science museum field trips. Without your support, we wouldn't be able to participate in these learning opportunities. Since my students are currently writing reports on animals, the trip to the zoo gave us a chance to see some of these animals up close and discuss why some are vulnerable or endangered. Usually it's because of habitat loss. At the science museum, students engaged in a challenging activity focused on animal adaptation. They were asked to create a mouth that could consume various types of food. Materials included clothes pines, the cardboard roll inside paper towel and toilet paper rolls, plastic bottle, etc... Later we were asked to classify animals as carnivores, herbivores, or omnivores by looking at the jaw and teeth of various animals - an additional way to learn about adaptation!
Your children are also going to be involved in a dramatic creation and we need materials such as large cardboard boxes to build a set and help making costumes. Kaya's mom has volunteered to help with costumes. Are there any others interested in helping??? The students will alse be asking the Kroc Center for help as there is a theatre here. I'll keep you posted.
Just a reminder! There is no school on Tuesday, November 11th for Veteran's Day! The Kroc Center offers activities if you don't have childcare for that day!
Kim
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Greetings Parents from IA!
Dear parents and students,
So much is happening at school these days, I'm thrilled with the progress we are making as a school and in my classroom. The Direct Instruction is going well - most have gotten the hang of group response. The wonderful thing about it is, children are learning to focus for longer periods and to think more quickly. I recently had a parent tell me that her daughter has never progressed this quickly in math! Yeah!!
Your children are also starting another project. We are researching animals in the country they previously researched. They will be investigating the animal's physical features, adaptations, habitats, predators, and prey. In addition the fifth graders in my class will be describing through writing, and/or a poster their animal's physical structures for respiration and digestion. This is part of the fifth grade life science standards. We are also engaging in another art project . The students were asked to draw their animal from photographs and use colorful torn or cut paper to create their animal in its habitat. The drawing was a bit intimidating for them. We will keep at it.
This brings up our next field trip. We will be going by bus to the San Diego Zoo on Tuesday, October 28th. We will depart at 8:15 and return at 2:45. All children must sign a universal field trip form. They were sent home last week. Please get those into the school as soon as possible. The students will have the opportunity in most cases to see their animal up close and personal. I'm going to send drawing paper and pencils with each student if I get enough clip boards. In other words, I need clipboards! I only have three of my own, so if you have some hanging around home, could you get them to me before next Tuesday. That way the students will have the opportunity to practice drawing. You will also need to send $6.00 a child for transportation. This field trip is scheduled over lunchtime, so if you cannot provide your child with a bag lunch, please include an additional $3.25 for a Kroc bag lunch.
We are also attending classes at the Rueben H. Fleet Center's Animal Grossology Exibit on Tuesday, November 4th. Your children will learn about animal adaptation (perfect for their reports) and have the opportunity to dissect owl pellets! The same as above applies for lunch. However the transportation cost for this trip is $9. Please make sure these details are taken care of so your children are able to experience this educational opportunity!
Wednesday morning in class from 8:15-8:55 is free, so we have been reading folk and tall tales. The students would like to turn the tall tale we read today into a play. This means we are going to need some help from parents. For some of the props, cardboard will do (big pieces for a boat, large octopus, and waves). We also need poster board for signs and some parent help in making costumes (one for Pa, the Young Boy, three Villagers, Stormalong/mail character, and numerous sailors). I would like the play to be video-taped and we want background music and sound effects. Any help is appreciated! The children are so excited! Please e-mail me at kim@innovationsacademy.org with possible materials.
I think that's it for now. Thank you for you continued support. I appreciate your help in and out of the classroom.
Kim
So much is happening at school these days, I'm thrilled with the progress we are making as a school and in my classroom. The Direct Instruction is going well - most have gotten the hang of group response. The wonderful thing about it is, children are learning to focus for longer periods and to think more quickly. I recently had a parent tell me that her daughter has never progressed this quickly in math! Yeah!!
Your children are also starting another project. We are researching animals in the country they previously researched. They will be investigating the animal's physical features, adaptations, habitats, predators, and prey. In addition the fifth graders in my class will be describing through writing, and/or a poster their animal's physical structures for respiration and digestion. This is part of the fifth grade life science standards. We are also engaging in another art project . The students were asked to draw their animal from photographs and use colorful torn or cut paper to create their animal in its habitat. The drawing was a bit intimidating for them. We will keep at it.
This brings up our next field trip. We will be going by bus to the San Diego Zoo on Tuesday, October 28th. We will depart at 8:15 and return at 2:45. All children must sign a universal field trip form. They were sent home last week. Please get those into the school as soon as possible. The students will have the opportunity in most cases to see their animal up close and personal. I'm going to send drawing paper and pencils with each student if I get enough clip boards. In other words, I need clipboards! I only have three of my own, so if you have some hanging around home, could you get them to me before next Tuesday. That way the students will have the opportunity to practice drawing. You will also need to send $6.00 a child for transportation. This field trip is scheduled over lunchtime, so if you cannot provide your child with a bag lunch, please include an additional $3.25 for a Kroc bag lunch.
We are also attending classes at the Rueben H. Fleet Center's Animal Grossology Exibit on Tuesday, November 4th. Your children will learn about animal adaptation (perfect for their reports) and have the opportunity to dissect owl pellets! The same as above applies for lunch. However the transportation cost for this trip is $9. Please make sure these details are taken care of so your children are able to experience this educational opportunity!
Wednesday morning in class from 8:15-8:55 is free, so we have been reading folk and tall tales. The students would like to turn the tall tale we read today into a play. This means we are going to need some help from parents. For some of the props, cardboard will do (big pieces for a boat, large octopus, and waves). We also need poster board for signs and some parent help in making costumes (one for Pa, the Young Boy, three Villagers, Stormalong/mail character, and numerous sailors). I would like the play to be video-taped and we want background music and sound effects. Any help is appreciated! The children are so excited! Please e-mail me at kim@innovationsacademy.org with possible materials.
I think that's it for now. Thank you for you continued support. I appreciate your help in and out of the classroom.
Kim
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Another update from Kim!
Dear parents,
Your children finished their country reports last week and we will be sharing them with other classes next week. In the meantime, I will be reading and grading them. For our next project, your children have expressed an interest in researching the animal life in their countries (we will be covering science, language arts, and art standards). They will be learning about the animal's physical characteristics and adaptations, their habitat or loss of, and their animal as a predator. Of course, one of the topics we will be discussing is the endangerment and extinction of animal species. They will also have the opportunity to engage in another art project using torn and cut paper, as well as pastels. I will be bringing a sample in on Tuesday for them to look at to get some ideas for their own work. Again, this is an opportunity to sell art and donate the funds to animal reserves or other animal causes.
We will be taking a field trip to the zoo on October 28th which will give the kids additional opportunities to perhaps see one of the animals they are reporting on. We will need parent volunteers to chaperone this trip. For my class, four volunteers would be perfect. Please let me know ASAP by emailing me at kim@innovationsacademy.org.
We are also going to have a Halloween celebration on Halloween day. Our costume parade will take place in the morning at 8:15. After that we will be writing and presenting scary stories as well as playing some games and trick-or-treating in the classroom. If you would like to be a part of our celebration and/or donate scary decorations, candy, or any other Halloween type of item - again let me know!!
Please remember that although we have a no homework policy, if your child chooses not to complete his work in class, it will be sent home for completion there. And also, please encourage your child to read at home. I would like to set a reading goal for our class and will be sending a reading log home soon. Please ask your children to start writin down the titles and authors of the books they are currently reading so we can add them to our log.
I hope this helps to keep you informed. You can email me anytime with questions, concerns, and feedback!
Happy reading,
Kim
Your children finished their country reports last week and we will be sharing them with other classes next week. In the meantime, I will be reading and grading them. For our next project, your children have expressed an interest in researching the animal life in their countries (we will be covering science, language arts, and art standards). They will be learning about the animal's physical characteristics and adaptations, their habitat or loss of, and their animal as a predator. Of course, one of the topics we will be discussing is the endangerment and extinction of animal species. They will also have the opportunity to engage in another art project using torn and cut paper, as well as pastels. I will be bringing a sample in on Tuesday for them to look at to get some ideas for their own work. Again, this is an opportunity to sell art and donate the funds to animal reserves or other animal causes.
We will be taking a field trip to the zoo on October 28th which will give the kids additional opportunities to perhaps see one of the animals they are reporting on. We will need parent volunteers to chaperone this trip. For my class, four volunteers would be perfect. Please let me know ASAP by emailing me at kim@innovationsacademy.org.
We are also going to have a Halloween celebration on Halloween day. Our costume parade will take place in the morning at 8:15. After that we will be writing and presenting scary stories as well as playing some games and trick-or-treating in the classroom. If you would like to be a part of our celebration and/or donate scary decorations, candy, or any other Halloween type of item - again let me know!!
Please remember that although we have a no homework policy, if your child chooses not to complete his work in class, it will be sent home for completion there. And also, please encourage your child to read at home. I would like to set a reading goal for our class and will be sending a reading log home soon. Please ask your children to start writin down the titles and authors of the books they are currently reading so we can add them to our log.
I hope this helps to keep you informed. You can email me anytime with questions, concerns, and feedback!
Happy reading,
Kim
Sunday, September 28, 2008
More Updates For Kim's Room!!
Greetings again!
I just want to say how much I enjoy your children. I love watching their personalities come out!
We are going to be engaging in some activities to break down barriers of discrimination (primarily gender, but also the 'cool' vs. what some kids consider the 'uncool').
Here is the weekly schedule I would like to keep:
Monday
8:15-8:55 Social/Emotional - Journal
9:00-10:00 Direct Instruction - Language Arts
10:00-10:10 Break
10:10-11:00 Direct Instruction - Math
11:00-12:00 Lunch - first 30 minutes on the field for free play
12:00-1:00 Library (tentative)
1:00-2:00 Science
2:00-3:00 P.E.
3:00-3:15 Announcements and Dismissal
Tuesday:
Everything is the same until after lunch at which time (12:15-1:45) we are currently working on art pieces to sell (we are oil painting and an artist-friend is teaching with the help of Jim and myself - Jim is Yvana's grandfather and also a painter) in order to microfinance entrepreneurs in developing countries - thus the country reports brought home. Although we have a "no-homework" policy, many of the children did not focus during our one hour of computer time this week, so I decided to send their reports home. I was hoping the children could focus better in a quiet home environment. By the way, the art pieces are beautiful!
Wednesday:
Everything is the same, except the 12:00-1:00 period. I'm planning a history unit in this period - starting this week. I am planning to focus on U.S. history first - then California. Part of my motivation to start at this point is because I listened to children talk about the Revolutionary and Civil Wars and they had no idea which came first or the time frame. I hope to engage them in re-enactments, posters, portfolios, and more.
Thursday:
Again, all is the same, except the 1200-2:00 period. This is project time and at this point, students are exploring developing countries (i.e., poverty, government, geography, history...). This is also when we have access to the computer lab.
Friday:
The same except for the 12:00-3:00 time period when students are engaged in learning from Community Partners. Right now, students are engaged in Creative Movement, Engineering through Legos, Drama, and Art. They will have classes in Archeology and Drumming in the coming months.
I hope this informs you about what your children are doing. Please don't hesitate to contact me with any of your concerns.
Sincerely,
Kim
I just want to say how much I enjoy your children. I love watching their personalities come out!
We are going to be engaging in some activities to break down barriers of discrimination (primarily gender, but also the 'cool' vs. what some kids consider the 'uncool').
Here is the weekly schedule I would like to keep:
Monday
8:15-8:55 Social/Emotional - Journal
9:00-10:00 Direct Instruction - Language Arts
10:00-10:10 Break
10:10-11:00 Direct Instruction - Math
11:00-12:00 Lunch - first 30 minutes on the field for free play
12:00-1:00 Library (tentative)
1:00-2:00 Science
2:00-3:00 P.E.
3:00-3:15 Announcements and Dismissal
Tuesday:
Everything is the same until after lunch at which time (12:15-1:45) we are currently working on art pieces to sell (we are oil painting and an artist-friend is teaching with the help of Jim and myself - Jim is Yvana's grandfather and also a painter) in order to microfinance entrepreneurs in developing countries - thus the country reports brought home. Although we have a "no-homework" policy, many of the children did not focus during our one hour of computer time this week, so I decided to send their reports home. I was hoping the children could focus better in a quiet home environment. By the way, the art pieces are beautiful!
Wednesday:
Everything is the same, except the 12:00-1:00 period. I'm planning a history unit in this period - starting this week. I am planning to focus on U.S. history first - then California. Part of my motivation to start at this point is because I listened to children talk about the Revolutionary and Civil Wars and they had no idea which came first or the time frame. I hope to engage them in re-enactments, posters, portfolios, and more.
Thursday:
Again, all is the same, except the 1200-2:00 period. This is project time and at this point, students are exploring developing countries (i.e., poverty, government, geography, history...). This is also when we have access to the computer lab.
Friday:
The same except for the 12:00-3:00 time period when students are engaged in learning from Community Partners. Right now, students are engaged in Creative Movement, Engineering through Legos, Drama, and Art. They will have classes in Archeology and Drumming in the coming months.
I hope this informs you about what your children are doing. Please don't hesitate to contact me with any of your concerns.
Sincerely,
Kim
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Kim's Blog
Greetings parents,
Good news! Our DI (Direct Instruction) materials have arrived and we are beginning to introduce your children to the math and Language Arts programs. So far, so good! If you would like more information regarding this type of instruction, please don't hesitate to email me with questions. (kim@innovationsacademy.org)
Your children are also in the midst of oil painting some beautiful art pieces. My idea is to sell their finished pieces so that we are able to donate monies to people in need through an organization called Kiva (http://kiva.org). The students will be starting reports on the countries we will be donating to this week. Some of the students have expressed a desire to take their finished work home. Any ideas from you parents regarding this dilemma would be great!! We will be painting again next Tuesday. I would ask that you provide your child with a large t-shirt to put on over their clothes as oil paints stain.
Thanks,
Kim
My blog URL has changed - please take note of this!
Good news! Our DI (Direct Instruction) materials have arrived and we are beginning to introduce your children to the math and Language Arts programs. So far, so good! If you would like more information regarding this type of instruction, please don't hesitate to email me with questions. (kim@innovationsacademy.org)
Your children are also in the midst of oil painting some beautiful art pieces. My idea is to sell their finished pieces so that we are able to donate monies to people in need through an organization called Kiva (http://kiva.org). The students will be starting reports on the countries we will be donating to this week. Some of the students have expressed a desire to take their finished work home. Any ideas from you parents regarding this dilemma would be great!! We will be painting again next Tuesday. I would ask that you provide your child with a large t-shirt to put on over their clothes as oil paints stain.
Thanks,
Kim
My blog URL has changed - please take note of this!
Kim's Informational Class Blog
Greetings Parents,
It has been an immense pleasure getting to know your children! It's hard to believe we've only been together for nine days of school. Our first week was really about getting to know each other and team building! The wonderful result of our efforts was that many friendships formed. One child, at the end of the first week, said, "It feels like we've known each other forever, not just four days."
Besides getting to know each other and team building, we also took an incredibly educational field trip on Tuesday, September 9th! Students had the opportunity to ride the trolley from La Mesa all the way to the San Diego Convention Center to learn about space exploration. I want to thank the generous parent volunteers that spent their day helping groups of my students stay safe on the trolley and enjoy the many exhibits at the convention center (James's Mom, Yvana's grandparents, Isaiah's Mom, & Katie's Mom).
Your children and grandchildren have been sharing their dreams and goals with me, verbally and in writing. They've created "Vision Boards" about those dreams which are currently on display in our classroom. Please stop by and see them! We have also been talking and writing about how are thoughts move us into positive or sometimes negative actions. Some of your children/grandchildren have displayed incredible courage and vision by deciding to get up in front of their classmates and engage in public speaking. These are students who told me they would do anything to avoid speaking in front of a group. WOW! Are you impressed? I am!
I have been working with your children on multiplication facts. Only a few of them have the facts all the way to 12! This is not a problem as I have worked with multi-grade groups of students and understand how to help them grasp not only the concept of mutiplication/division, but also learn math stategies designed to help them solve various kinds of problems.
In addition to regular academic instruction, students have come up with some project ideas they believe are relevent in today's world. They will be delving into those projects in a more organized fashion in the coming week as they are introduced to Project Foundry. Some of the students automatically understood that these projects were meant to have a service component and wanted to create art. Their idea is to sell the art and donate the funds to a charity of their choice or maybe even to beautify the school. I have arranged for an oil painter to come into our classroom on Tuesday to begin a series of instruction on oil painting. Those students who are not interested in this form of communication/expression will have other options.
As parents and or guardians, you are your child's champion! We have a no homework policy at our school. That doesn't mean you can't read to your child or encourage your child to read. Take your children to museums when you can, turn the channel to something educational, and ask them about their interests whenever possible.
I am always available to contact at the following e-mail address: kim@innovationsacademy.org. My blog address (I will update frequently) is kimsiinnovationsclassblog.blogspot.com . Please log on frequently for information regarding what your children are doing in our classrooms!!!
Kim
It has been an immense pleasure getting to know your children! It's hard to believe we've only been together for nine days of school. Our first week was really about getting to know each other and team building! The wonderful result of our efforts was that many friendships formed. One child, at the end of the first week, said, "It feels like we've known each other forever, not just four days."
Besides getting to know each other and team building, we also took an incredibly educational field trip on Tuesday, September 9th! Students had the opportunity to ride the trolley from La Mesa all the way to the San Diego Convention Center to learn about space exploration. I want to thank the generous parent volunteers that spent their day helping groups of my students stay safe on the trolley and enjoy the many exhibits at the convention center (James's Mom, Yvana's grandparents, Isaiah's Mom, & Katie's Mom).
Your children and grandchildren have been sharing their dreams and goals with me, verbally and in writing. They've created "Vision Boards" about those dreams which are currently on display in our classroom. Please stop by and see them! We have also been talking and writing about how are thoughts move us into positive or sometimes negative actions. Some of your children/grandchildren have displayed incredible courage and vision by deciding to get up in front of their classmates and engage in public speaking. These are students who told me they would do anything to avoid speaking in front of a group. WOW! Are you impressed? I am!
I have been working with your children on multiplication facts. Only a few of them have the facts all the way to 12! This is not a problem as I have worked with multi-grade groups of students and understand how to help them grasp not only the concept of mutiplication/division, but also learn math stategies designed to help them solve various kinds of problems.
In addition to regular academic instruction, students have come up with some project ideas they believe are relevent in today's world. They will be delving into those projects in a more organized fashion in the coming week as they are introduced to Project Foundry. Some of the students automatically understood that these projects were meant to have a service component and wanted to create art. Their idea is to sell the art and donate the funds to a charity of their choice or maybe even to beautify the school. I have arranged for an oil painter to come into our classroom on Tuesday to begin a series of instruction on oil painting. Those students who are not interested in this form of communication/expression will have other options.
As parents and or guardians, you are your child's champion! We have a no homework policy at our school. That doesn't mean you can't read to your child or encourage your child to read. Take your children to museums when you can, turn the channel to something educational, and ask them about their interests whenever possible.
I am always available to contact at the following e-mail address: kim@innovationsacademy.org. My blog address (I will update frequently) is kimsiinnovationsclassblog.blogspot.com . Please log on frequently for information regarding what your children are doing in our classrooms!!!
Kim
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