News from the Art Room...

 

Happy Spooky Month! With October coming to an end, we have done many fun art projects while virtual learning! Kindergarten has been working on sign language during our google meets and practicing important skills, such as cutting and gluing. First and Second graders have been working with line direction and creating some fun haunted houses! Third graders have been doing a great job learning about different art careers and how to make patterns. Fourth and Fifth graders have been working in the virtual realm navigating google slides and jam board! 

In November, we will continue to make some turkeys, scarecrows, landscape drawings, and different patterns throughout all grades :)

I cannot wait to see what you all have stored up in those creative bones, and I hope you all enjoy the process of creating! In google classroom, I am putting together a gallery, so you can see your fellow classmates work too! 

You are all artists.... thank you for the hard work!

-Miss Stumpf

 

   

 

MATH CORNER

   Amy Reuter Instructional Support Teacher-Math

What are Mathematical Practices? You may have noticed a category under the subject of Math called Mathematical Practices. Bridges in Mathematics explains that they are, “The attitudes and ways of thinking and working that characterize successful mathematicians. They are much bigger and somewhat more amorphous than math content skills, and at least as important.” We think of them as habits of mind when working in math. Check these out from the Math Learning Center source.

 

Music News!

First of all I want to send out a big thank you to all Jefferson families for helping our students be as successful as possible during this virtual learning time. Thank you for all that you are doing!

October was our first full month of virtual learning and it was definitely a learning experience for everyone. For music class, each classroom met live on Google Meet once a week for 30 minutes and then all the students also had a recorded video to watch, with a small assignment for the older students. It has been great to see all of the work that the students are putting in for music class and I absolutely LOVE being able to see the kids faces on our live Google Meets.

While we are learning virtually, we will continue to meet live once a week for music class and there will continue to be a recorded lesson every week for students. Every live music class and recorded video/assignment will be listed on the classroom teacher’s Week At A Glance as well as in their main Google Classroom and our music class Google Classroom.

I know that things are constantly changing and there are many things to figure out, so if you have any questions, at any point, please feel free to send me an email (april.schneider@oshkosh.k12.wi.us). I am here to help your children succeed!

 

          Literacy Update                              

Writing is an important skill to have as a learner. It allows us to teach someone about a topic, to share a significant moment, to express our feelings, and to change the world. 

Sometimes writing can be tricky. It requires children to combine several different skills such as composing their ideas, thinking about the order of words and letters, knowing how to form the letters, and holding the ideas in their heads all at the same time. Because it can be tricky, often the fun of writing can get lost along the way. That’s why it’s important to make writing exciting and engaging for kids. Here is a list of ideas for how to do that from Growing Readers.

1. Play a game with pictures. Photos and images are great story starters. Do a web search and find a few interesting images. Or cut out pictures from magazines. The pictures can be realistic or make believe. Glue a couple images into a notebook. Then ask your child to write about one of them. You can prompt them, asking them to include what they see, what the people are thinking, what will happen next — or just let their imagination run free. 

2. Make an “I Can” book. Making an “I Can” book will let kids practice writing skills and keep track of their other accomplishments. Staple together a bunch of blank sheets of paper to make a book. As your child reaches a new milestone, such as learning to tie her shoes or hit a baseball, they can draw a picture on a new page of the book. Younger kids can then write, “I can tie my shoes.” Older kids can write a few sentences about what they’ve accomplished.

3. Make a journal jar. A journal doesn’t have to be a diary. It can also be a book where your child writes about ideas or answers questions, like “If you could do anything next summer, what would you choose?” A journal jar is a place to keep all those ideas and questions. Wash and decorate a wide-mouthed jar, like one that used to contain peanut butter. Then, write or print out journal prompts on slips of paper. Ask your child to pull out one prompt each day and write about it in their journal. 

4. Create a family scrapbook. A family scrapbook is a great way to save memories and jump-start your child’s writing. Use an inexpensive photo album to keep souvenirs of things you do together. This can include photos, ticket stubs, and found objects, like pretty leaves. Your child can begin by writing the date and a line about where you were and what you did. Then, you can work together to write a more detailed summary. Don’t forget to include funny or even annoying moments!

 

Source: Growing Readers online. https://www.readingrockets.org/pdfs/edextras/143020-en.pdf

 

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION?

Hello Patriot families! I hope that you have been able to settle into a virtual learning routine and that things at home are falling into place. I know that things are very different this year and Physical Education has been no exception. During the month of October, students in PhyEd have focused on reinforcing the skills that we were able to learn while still in the building. We have focused on underhand/overhand tossing, as well as striking. We have experimented with FlipGrid to figure out the best way to turn assignments in. Students are really getting the hang of it and there seems to be more participation and understanding each day. That being said, if you have not turned in a FlipGrid video or are thinking “what is Mrs. Lange talking about?”...please contact me!

Moving into November, students across all grades will start focusing on MyPlate, nutrition, as well as overall physical fitness and heart health. November is a great time to start thinking about the foods we eat as holiday temptations are just around the corner. 

If you and your student(s) are struggling with virtual learning, please know that we as teachers completely understand. But also please know that we are available if you need the extra help. Do not hesitate to reach out to me if you are unable to attend a live meet, struggling to find my live meets, can’t find my pre-recorded lessons...whatever it is, do not hesitate to ask as your student(s) learning and success is my priority. 

 

Email: taylor.lange@oshkosh.k12.wi.us

 

TIPS TO BE FIT AT HOME

Cold weather and the holidays are on their way but that doesn’t mean that you can’t be active! What can you and your children do at or around home to keep you moving through the seasons? 

~ Take a walk through the fall leaves

~ Rake the leaves and run through the piles

~ Take the stairs instead of the elevator during your holiday shopping trips

~ Look for a holiday fun run:

www.festivalfoodsturkeytrot.com --THIS YEARS’ RACE IS DONE FROM HOME

~ Build activity into family outings

 

      

Digital Citizenship Week:  October 19-23, 2020

Dear OASD Families,

We teach our students to be responsible, respectful, and safe. This includes when they’re on a device too! We know our students are online right now more than usual. That’s why talking about digital citizenship topics is so very important. D.C. topics include communicating online with others, privacy, media balance, copyright, cyberbullying, and how to determine real VS fake information.

For the past few years, OASD has recognized the National Digital Citizenship Week at our schools. This year we are offering a few opportunities for you to do with you children at home as well.

Digital Learning Agreement: Read through this together with your child.

K-5th Digital Learning Pledge

6th-12th Digital Learning Agreement

2. Digital Citizenship Choice Boards: Students can choose a digital citizenship-themed activity to complete each day. Try to make a tic-tac-toe!

Kindergarten through 5th Grade Choice Board

6th through 12th Grade Choice Board

3. Police Officer Video: Watch this video put together by Officer Tori Heidemann of the OAPD and a teacher at Oshkosh North High School.

3rd-5th Video (Parents, watch this first and decide if it’s appropriate for your kids. There is one sensitive topic.)

6th-12th Video (Warning: the topic of sexting is addressed.)

4. Interact Module: WDOJ- Internet Crimes Against Children Unit created this module for parents and kids to do together. It’s meant for starting a discussion around these topics. 

Interact 6th-12th/Parent Module

Parents only: 

Guide to Setting up Parental Controls

Follow our Internet Safety Resources for Parents Facebook page