OPEN HOUSE!!

Parents,
Please join us tomorrow for Open House from 6:30 - 8:00p.m. Today, we spent a good amount of time listening to our current read aloud, Wednesday Wars. This book takes place in 1967 during the Vietnam War. The main character, Holling, has a special relationship with his 7th grade teacher, Mrs. Baker. He spends every Wednesday afternoon in a private lesson with her reading Shakespeare (while the rest of the class goes off to religious education class at church or temple). It has given the students in 5G an exposure to some of Shakespeare's most famous works. Some of the kids in the class have even checked out a juvenile anthology of his works. If you could foster this appreciation, even to just read a bit of who Shakespeare was or check out a juvenile version of one of his plays at the library, it would be a valuable time to tap into the interest they currently have. It could also create a new level of confidence in understanding a new style of writing. At the very least, ask your child about the book we are reading and what they have enjoyed most about it. One of my favorite parts of the book is the history I can focus on, since this book includes references to, of course, the Vietnam War, civil rights movements, school conditions of the 60's, and more. Today, we talked about the assassinations of John F. Kennedy, Bobby Kennedy, and Martin Luther King - all took place in the 60's. Important for you to know in case your child has any questions about why someone would kill another person. If serious conversations like this haven't taken place with your 5th grader, don't worry - they will come soon enough. Which leads me into my next topic....Robert Crown!

Today, a letter came home regarding the Robert Crown program that teaches your child about human development - where babies come from. There is a parent meeting before the field trip we take to the Robert Crown Center in Hinsdale. The parent meeting takes place in November and December, I believe. Having gone through this experience last year, let me tell you I believe the program is extremely well presented and supported with a follow up visit with a nurse. I cannot stress the importance of parental involvement in this issue. Your child will CERTAINLY have questions and you should prepare now for how you will respond - even if just saying, "Let me think about how I want to answer that one...I will get back to you on Saturday (or whatever day you plan)." I used that response a lot because heavy questions were being thrown to me in odd places, like the grocery aisle or in church. Being able to tell Madison that I would respond to her and WHEN left her knowing that her questions were important and I spent time thinking about my response. Please take time to talk to your child about what is happening and what will happen to their bodies, even if you just focus on the most basic developmental issues. Please feel free to ask me any questions as they may arise!

HOMEWORK for the rest of the week:
Math - 5th grade has a Unit 2 test tomorrow and the study guide is due - signed.

Social Studies - Chapter 2 test (Study guide went home today) the test is on Friday.

No Fluency this week.

Hope to see you at Open House tomorrow night!!