Weekly Glance Week of September 16, 2019

Assalamu alikum,

THIS FRIDAY IS BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT / OPEN HOUSE!!!  From 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm.
This evening is broken into several sessions to give you a chance to visit multiple classrooms. The schedule is as follows...

Session 1 > 4:30-4:50

Session 2 > 4:55-5:15

Salatul A’sr > 5:20-5:35

Session 3 > 5:40-6:00

Session 4 > 6:05-6:25

I really enjoy Back to School Night! It's a great time to connect and share our classroom with parents. I look forward to seeing the parents there Friday.

Here's what we are doing this week.

English - Language Arts
This week we are revising our personal narratives and beginning our second drafts. We are learning the difference between revising and editing. In reading, we are focusing on identifying the theme of a literary text. Spelling groups have been set up and Spelling City homework assignments have been posted. They are expected to be completed by Monday.

Math
We are working on comparing and ordering large numbers and rounding and estimating to specific place values. There will be a test on Friday over place value, comparing, ordering, and rounding.

Science
We will continue to work on building understanding of stored and released energy and how released energy is related to speed. Students will build roller coaster hills to investigate height and speed.

Social Studies
We are learning about types of governments. There will be a quiz on Friday.

Grades are continuing to be updated regularly. Please make sure to check planners daily! I already have some students with missing assignments. If you are not connected to Classdojo, please let me know so I can get you the signup information. tawpatti@gmail.com

Jazak Allah Khayr,
Sister Patti Picard

Mid-week Thunderstorm Post

Assalamu alikum,

This post is reaching you midweek Wednesday night. We have gotten into our routine and settled into our schedule and begun to dive into academic lessons.

A couple notes:

Planners: Planners should be signed daily by parents. A quick signature lets me know that students are communicating with their parents. Planners are an important communication tool. If a student loses a planner, please contact the office to get a replacement.

Class Dojo: The Class Dojo information is the same as last year. If you forgot your login information, I am sending home connection information. In Class Dojo, I post quick reminders and updates along with videos and pictures of class activities. I also record student behavior points. At the end of the week, I will send home a point summary for the week. This should be signed by parents and returned Monday.

Attendance:
Tardies -  please try to arrive on time.
Absences - If your child will be absent, please notify the office as soon as possible. The office will notify me. 
Here is our class schedule:
7:50 - 8:05am - Arrival
8:05 - 8:15 - Assembly (Students are marked tardy after 8:05)
8:15 - 9:15 - Math
9:15 - 9:45 - Writing, Spelling, Grammar
9:45 - 10:30 - Arabic
10:30 - 11:15 - Recess and Lunch
11:15 - 12:00 - After lunch read aloud and Social Studies
12:00 - 12:45 - Islamic Studies
12:45 - 1:30 - Quran
1:30 - 1:50 - Salat and Snack/Break
1:55 - 2:30 - Science
2:30 - 3:25 - Reading, Guided Reading, Daily 5
3:25 - 3:30 - Dismissal 

Also, now that academic work is in full swing, you will begin to see grades and assignments filter in on Orbund. If you have any questions, please feel free to send me an e-mail at tawpatti@gmail.com.

Jazak Allah Khayr,
Sister Patti Picard

A Glance into the Week: Getting Into Routine

Assalamu alikum,

After spending the first week working on procedures and routines (which we will continue to practice) we are going to move into our schedule for the year and dive into academic work. Here is what you can expect next week.

ELA: We will begin RF and RI standard one which is finding the main idea and supporting details in text. Along with this, we will be assessing student fluency and comprehension levels in order to get reading group established. We completed our spelling assessment during week one so we will begin our spelling and grammar routine. They will receive logins for Spelling City this week as well. 

Math: We are working on the Numbers in Base Ten Unit which focuses on understanding that a unit in one place value is ten times greater than the same unit in the place to the right. Students will work on expressing this relationship several ways. This year, we will be using Zearn.org in centers and for homework to support in class instruction. The usernames and passwords are glued in the student planners.

Science: We are focusing on understanding the beginning steps of the scientific process by making observations and asking questions. We will also dive into the engineering process by asking, "Why is it so hard for scientists to invent new things?"

Social Studies: Our Studies Weekly newspapers have arrived. After we complete our Five Themes and Me project we will begin our first unit which is about the United States Constitution and the structure of the United States Federal Government. This will begin next week. 

Gym: Gym is during the 2nd hour on Thursday. Please make sure students have proper gym uniform and shoes.

UNIFORM NOTE!
Please check the uniform policy. Boys are to wear white polo shirts throughout the week, except for gym days. For the sisters, the abaya is to be plain without any decoration and the hijab as well. One piece, two piece, and square scarves that are plain and the right colors are acceptable. Under pieces and scarf must be the same color. Wrap scarves are not part of the uniform this year.