End of Semester Update, Volunteering Opportunities, and MLK Quote!

Dear Shingobee Families,

We hope you all enjoyed a restful and relaxing Winter Break. 2018 has gotten off to a positive start in Shingobee. As the first semester draws to a close, students are reflecting on their learning, setting new goals, and cultivating a growth mindset. In particular, we have discussed how humans learn according to current neuroscience and social science research, which highlights the importance of practice, challenge, and hands-on experience to "stretch" the mind. Upper elementary is a time when the brain makes some of the most neural connections, so it's important to take advantage and learn new things!

During the month of January, Shingobee students have continued to engage in whole-class cultural studies. In history, students are exploring civics and the structure of our political system, including studies of the Bill of Rights, the legislative process and the branches of government. We hope to arrange a field trip to the State House to complement this work. Students are also writing persuasive letters to school community members advocating for positive changes to GRS--popular requests include a library and playground to accompany our new building, and increased use of computers for homework. In science, students have been studying different aspects of global climate change, including the greenhouse effect, the carbon cycle, and the difference between weather and climate. Thanks to a homemade weather station, we now have a daily weather report so we can track our ever-changing conditions! Recent small group lessons have looked at fraction and decimal concepts, measurement and angles, the pythagorean theorem, and the history of pi. 

Now that we have begun the second half of the year, we are looking to make more connections outside our classroom. We seek your support with a few things:

1) Going Out Chaperones: We are in need of parent volunteers to accompany students on Going Outs within walking distance of GRS.

2) Storytelling and Job Talks: We are looking for interested family and community members to give short presentations on their work, or tell stories about an aspect of their lives. Volunteers are invited to eat lunch with students on Fridays and give a ten minute talk followed by a short Q and A. Please send an e-mail if you would like to sign up. The purpose of this program is to help inspire students and encourage grace and courtesy with guests.

3) Librarian Assistance: We are hoping to reorganize our library by genre, and would love some help re-shelving books. Donations of baskets to help keep the genres separate are also welcome. 

Finally, a few classroom reminders:

• Please remind your student that homework is due on Tuesday. We are looking into setting up a homework completion time outside of school, and will keep you updated. 

• The cold season is still here, and we actively seek Kleenex donations to soothe all those sniffly noses!

• As we continue to adapt to the constraints of our food preparation facilities, we encourage families bringing snack send dry goods or whole fruits only (i.e. no peanut butter, salsa, or spreads) for the classroom. Thank you so much for your understanding.

We are grateful for your partnership and support at home, and look forward to seeing you in March at conference time! As always, feel free to e-mail or call with questions, or drop by our office hours on Wednesdays from 3:15-4:15. Stay tuned for upcoming calendar events and the next Critter Cash Committee update.

In closing, here is a quote from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. from a 1947 essay on the purpose of education.

“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. But education which stops with efficiency may prove the greatest menace to society. The most dangerous criminal may be the man gifted with reason, but with no morals. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.”

Warmly,

Amanda and Alaina

Winter Break Homework!

Dear Shingobee students and families,

For homework over break, you are invited to do as many of the following activities as you can! There is no need to write anything, but please be prepared to tell your classmates a story about something you did. Please also keep practicing your multiplication and division facts--when we return we will be working on those daily in school as well.

Thank you for everything, and wishing you all a warm and happy new year and a relaxing winter break,

Amanda and Alaina

Here is the homework link, and the list of activities below: Winter Break Homework

o  Build a blanket fort and read a book in it

o   Go sledding

o   Bake a treat for a neighbor

o   Try a science experiment

o   Read aloud to someone

o   Take a nature walk

o   Visit a museum

o   Volunteer your time

o   Write a letter to a friend or family member and mail it

o   Sweep or vacuum a room of your home

o   Put on a play with friends or siblings

o   Make a snow sculpture

o   Teach someone a new game or craft

o   Do the dishes after a meal

o   Learn to make a new recipe

o   Tell a good story to your family

o   Go ice skating

o   Visit the Como Conservatory

o   Make popcorn and cranberry strings

o   Observe a bird feeder

o   Shovel someone’s walkway

o   Make a meal for your family

o   Learn a new origami pattern

o   Sing with a group of people

o   Knit or crochet a gift for someone

o   Memorize a poem

o   Paint a winter scene

o   Write a story

o   Listen to a story from a grandparent’s childhood

o   Create a math game

o   Graph some data you collected

o  Go on an adventure

o  Take a night hike with an adult

o  Perform a song, play, or dance for an audience

Homework Due 12/12/17

As the weeks go on, we notice that students often forget to turn in their homework on time. While we expect students to complete their homework independently as much as possible, and encourage them to ask for help from guides early on, a good way to help at home can be to work with your student to create a schedule and make a space where they can do their homework.

This week's homework is on Practical Life! See the attached google document for a digital version in case the hard copy gets lost. 

Shingobee Classroom Update

Dear Shingobee families, 

Thank you for all of the delicious and wonderful contributions to our feast! It was a lovely way to come together as a community and share food, stories, and gratitude. The students worked together to set up and organize all of the food and welcomed friends from different classrooms into their communities. A special thank you to all who came and cleaned up after the feast. We would have been here all night if it was not for your help!

In the Classroom: Last week, we wrapped up the study of the composition of the Earth and now are moving into the study of the stars and the life cycle of the star. Students are also creating biographies of famous peacemakers from around the world for a classroom book. In the closing weeks of the semester we will be focusing on sky stories and constellations as well as gearing up for the Geography Fair. This event will be on December 13 from 2-3pm. Families are welcome to attend. Please help your student work on their project at home so that they are prepared to present. 

Winter Weather Advisory: As the temperature drops, many children are arriving at school without jackets, hats, boots, or other cold weather gear.  Please remind your children that they are required to wear jackets, hats, and gloves or mittens when temperatures are below freezing and must have outdoor shoes or boots.  If your child does not have the gear they need, please let us know and we will work to provide what is needed. 

Finally, an update from the Critter Cash Committee:

Dear UE Families,

The last Critter Cash Committee bake sale was a great success, and we are hoping to keep our pets healthy and well-fed over the winter with another sale. Also, we have added some new pets to our UE critter family: two guinea pigs in Little Elk!

This sale will be held Friday, December 15th, from 3:15-4:00pm in the Adolescent building (exact location TBA). If you would like to attend, we ask that you please pick your child up as usual and walk them over to the other building.

Students are invited to make crafts and/or bake treats at home to donate to our sale; we ask that they include ingredients of the treat. Participation is optional and proceeds from the sale will be shared among the UE classrooms.

Our students and pets thank you for generosity and support!

Best,

Critter Cash Committee

Geography Fair Resources

The Geography Fair is in top gear, and all Shingobee students should be busy finding out about their topics. We encourage students to visit their local library to get more resources for their research projects.

The Internet is a wonderful place for up-to-date information; however, it can also be a source of misinformation. Please establish good search engine habits early!

When "googling" a topic, try these five tips:

1) Oldies-but-goodies: Instead of typing your question into a search engine right away, try databases or library catalogs first. Wikipedia is a lot better than it used to be, but it is never a bad idea to begin with established and institutionalized knowledge sources. Here are some websites to try for geography, science and history:

• CIA World Factbook: One stop shopping for country research.
• Encyclopedia Britannica: A tried-and-true Wikipedia alternative.
• National Geographic Kids: Good for geography, includes multiple topics.
• The Why Files (Science Behind the News): This site talks about science in the news.
• Bitesize Science (British site): This site has interactives and games.
• Everyday Mysteries (Answers to common science questions from the Library of Congress)
• Exploratorium Websites: Use the list on the left-hand side to find more.
• Ology: The American Museum of Natural History Kids Site: Great resources on all the "ologies".

NASA, NOAA, and other government sites are also helpful places to look for photographs and data.

2) Keep scrolling down: Check out multiple results rather than the highlighted or first answer that appears. Often, companies can pay more to have their website listed at the top of a search. Just because it's first doesn't mean it is the best source.

3) Use text, not pictures: Instead of searching through Images only, click on the link and read the website where the image is located. You might find that something that "looks" right isn't what it says it is.

4) Just READ: Sometimes the information you want is further down on the page or in a link. If you don't immediately see a headline answering your question, that is okay. Keep looking!

5) When in doubt, ask for help! If you're not sure if a source is credible or appropriate, ask an adult or guide. Write down the URL or print out the article to help. Remember, the World Wide Web requires navigation, supervision and guidance, just like the real wide world outside.

Happy researching!

Even more cool links!

In our endless quest to find amazing learning tools on the Internet, we offer more exciting links for your perusal. This video, from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, animates the story of scientist Alfred Wegener, who developed a theory of continental drift. 

Students have been learning about Native sovereignty and treaty-making as part of Minnesota studies. In lieu of homework this week, 5th and 6th years have an assignment to explore how perspectives on land, relationships and power shifted between the 1700s and 1800s in the area that was to become Minnesota territory. The links below will help them with these activities (see directions in the homework folder and pdf below).

• The Ways, Video stories of Indigenous cultures around the Great Lakes: http://theways.org/
• Map of U.S. Territorial Acquisitions: https://nationalmap.gov/small_scale/mld/usacqup.html
• Minnesota Treaty List and Information: http://treatiesmatter.org/treaties  
• United States Territorial Expansion: http://mappinghistory.uoregon.edu/english/US/US09-01.html
• Northwest Ordinance, 1787: https://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?flash=false&doc=8
• Fort Snelling, Minnesota Historical Society: http://www.historicfortsnelling.org/history/military-history/expansionist-era
• Virtual Exhibition on Minnesota Treaties: http://treatiesmatter.org/exhibit/welcome/

Access a Google Doc of the Assignment here

November Classroom Update

With the flurries of snow outside, we have also had a flurry of work here in Shingobee. Students have been exploring algebra and fractions and having fun with angles and area. In Minnesota Studies, 5th and 6th years have been looking at the interactions between European fur traders and Indigenous peoples, culminating in the performance of a short play for Shingobee and Rice Creek classmates. In science, the whole class has focused on the composition of the Earth and the elements that make it up. There's a lot more that has been happening as well! Read on...

• Conferences: We are looking forward to seeing you all at conferences this week. The students have selected works they are excited to share with you. This year, the 5th and 6th years will be leading their conferences and sharing their accomplishments and goals for the year. 4th year students do not have to attend, but have selected the works of which they are most proud to share with you.

• Upper El Potluck Feast: Wednesday, November 23rd at 12:15.  Students have signed up for food (see list at conferences and more info at the end of this e-mail). It is our hope that students will prepare the food they choose themselves, with some help from adults. We are also seeking donations of compostable plates and flatware by November 22nd.

• Changes for our Animal Friends: Last month we lost Tesla II, one of our gerbils. We buried him in the garden and sang songs and thanked him for being a loved member of our community. Since then, three new pets  have joined our room: two new gerbils (Colbolt and Tesla III) and a new bunny (Shadow). Shadow was in need of a new home and came to us with a hutch and all of the supplies and food to last a few months! 

• Critter Cash Committee Update: Thanks to all of you, the pet committee raised quite a bit of money at their recent bake/book sale! We hope to have another sale on December 15 so that we can buy food and supplies for all of our pets. If you have leftover greens (kale, carrot tops, broccoli stems, etc.) please send them in! Shadow and the rabbit in the Crow Wing classroom would love to take them off your hands. 

In this season of colder weather and shorter days, our class has been reflecting within. Each morning, we focus on what brings us peace and happiness and what we are thankful for. We are thankful for your partnership in supporting the work we do in class by helping us create a caring environment for learning.

Last but not least, we have a message from the Student Feast Committee about a community meal next Wednesday: 

Hello Upper El Families, 

We, the Student Feast Committee, are busily preparing for our Upper El Potluck Feast next Wednesday, November 23rd.  Our feast will start at 12:15, immediately following recess.  Students will sign up for foods to bring today, Wednesday, November 15.  It is our hope that students will prepare the food they choose themselves, with some help from adults.    

We are also asking for families to donate compostable flatware, paper plates and napkins, and paper cups.  Shingobee families should send in paper plates and compostable flatware if you are able. If you are willing to send in these items, please do so by Tuesday, November 22nd.  

Please send food in serving dishes that don't have to be plugged in (crockpots).  We will keep food hot or cold in coolers.  Please send serving utensils with your dish.  Label both and we'll make sure they are returned to your child at the end of the day.  

Please list ingredients for each dish so we can help students with dietary restrictions chose their food.  Small signs for each dish created by your student would be helpful.  

We will serve food buffet style and mix students among upper el classrooms for lunch together.  

We are seeking six adult volunteers to help with clean up following the feast (1-1:45pm).  If you are available, please sign up here.

Thank you for your contributions!

Sincerely, the students of the UE Student Feast Committee.