Hello Everyone
I had a very rewarding experience in Manila and am already using some of the great strategies I learned there to enhance my classroom teaching. The conference was titled ‘Thinking Strategies’ based on “The 7 Keys to Comprehension” Susan Zimmerman and she was the wonderful presenter. The ways the class enhance their reading include:

*Using background knowledge
*Creating mental images
*Questioning
*Inferring
*Determining importance
*Synthesizing
*Monitoring for meaning

Thank You to Ms Sue Leary for substituting so well for me, the students were engaged and stimulated while I was absent and are looking forward to meeting Ms Leary’s mother, an author, in the Spring.

In class we are currently working on the following:

Math – We are continuing working through unit 6 focused on Data Organization and will be completing the assessment next Monday. The following skills will be assessed:

*construct stem-and-leaf plots
*read and interpret stem-and-leaf plots
*add and subtract fractions with like denominators
*add and subtract fractions with unlike denominators
*understand how sample size affects results
*find common denominators
*convert between fractions, decimals and percents
*identify and use data landmarks

L.A. – We are currently working on the unit Breathing Life into Essays by Lucy Calkins in Writer’s Workshop. Students have really started to generate more essay entries and are learning about pushing their thinking. Students understand the differences between narrative and non-narrative writing and are enjoying recording their thoughts and realizations about topics that are important to them.

In Reader’s Workshop we are focusing our responses on non-fiction texts, we are looking at the differences between fiction and non-fiction and ways to deconstruct text. It would be great for the students to check out the Newbery winners for this year and see if they recognize any of the books there. If not, they should definitely check them out as they will be in for a treat.

Unit Study – We are currently working through our social studies unit focused on Migration. Students are learning about the push and pull factors as to why people migrate and the are also writing a narrative about their own migration story. Hopefully they will have also spent some time speaking with another family member about that person’s migration story too as that can really enhance their background knowledge. Homework at the moment for this unit study is pretty intense, there is a lot to think about and I don’t want the students to be overwhelmed. However I do want them to learn to pace themselves and to feel some pressure at this stage of their schooling, but good pressure, not bad pressure…

Homework this week is:
*Math Study Links Monday-Thursday
*Revising and studying for next Monday’s Math test
*Completing a short and precise personal narrative about where their migration journey has taken them
*Discussing with another family member what that person’s migration story has been
*Small writing activities for Writer’s Workshop as ongoing work for our essays unit
*Reading Mr. Power and Ms. Yick’s blogs for links to good UDHR sites and then noting how rights were violated in the books they read in class today.

Other announcements from Diane our room Mom and the wider school community…

This Thursday January 21st, 10:00 – 1:30 is our Treat Day! Please send in
baked goods (cookies, brownies, cupcakes and rice krispie treats sell very
well) in individually wrapped portions. If you don’t have time to bake,
individual bags of chips are also a hit with the students. Remember that
the school has a “NO NUTS” policy and please do not send candy.

Thank you to the parents who have volunteered to help with Treat Day. There
is still room for volunteers so if you would like to help that day please
let me know.

EAGLE SHOP Chinese New Year SUPER SALE!
50%-80% off Selected Items
We are clearing out the OLD merchandise to make room for new SAS merchandise.
Sizes and Quantities are limited so shop early!
Track Suit = 100 RMB
T-Shirt’s and Polo’s = 20 RMB
Adult Dry-fit T-shirt = 30 RMB
Wind Pants and Sweatpants = 30 RMB

January 21st, 9:00 – 10:00 Library Lecture Hall – Counselors Café. Small
group discussion with our ES counselor/psychology team, Jeanine Merrill and
Ed Woods, and Jan Cantrill about issues that concern you and your children
both inside and outside school.

January 21st, 10:00 –PTSA meeting with the following scheduled presentation:

• Welcome & Important Dates (Admin, Heidi & Liane)
• Giving Tree Recap
• Andy Torris will present on IOWA testing 2009/2010
• Alicia Lewis will present of curriculum development and Atlas mapping
at SAS
• Mary Montgomery will present the Edge for Excellence campaign
• ES PTSA current budget will be shared
• George Carpouzis will present the Aquatics program and show us the new
pool

LAST CHANCE for Carpet Auction Tickets!
Benefitting The Charles Foundation and the Pudong PTSA
Pudong PTSA Carpet Auction: Every Carpet Tells a Story
In Partnership with Eastern Carpets and The Parkyard Hotel
Music Provided by the Pudong Middle School Jazz Band
Date: January 23, 2010
Time: 6:30 Preview 7:30 Auction
Tickets 150 RMB in advance, 200 RMB at the door
Tickets can be ordered by calling 6221-1445 X3521
or via email to jill.du@saschina.org.
Once again this year Eastern Carpets from Singapore will be bringing out some of their best carpets to share and auction for the benefit of the Pudong PTSA and The Charles Foundation. In the tradition of the Oriental Carpet Seller, Edmund and his colleagues at Eastern Carpets will be weaving in stories about each carpet as well as pertinent tips and trips on carpet care.
The evening will be a fun event for the entire community whether you are buying or just enjoying the beautiful art found in these wonderful rugs. We hope to see you all there!
Ticket Sales will end on Thursday, January 21, 2010

Have a great week and remember to bake for Thursday!! 🙂 Diane

Thanks to Diane for keeping us all informed and as she said…Have a great week!