Hello From Home - Here's The Plan, Insha'Allah. (This Post is for Parents)

Assalamu alikum Parents,

     With the school closings, the headlines on the news, the panics over supplies at the stores, these are uncertain times. They certainly can be upsetting and scary, especially for children. I want to let you know that the teachers and staff at Tawheed have been working very hard over the last few days to prepare a learning program for students that will blend project-base learning with live session classes, independent study, and paper and pencil work.
     You may have begun receiving emails from teachers with codes and information. It can be overwhelming, I completely understand. I have 2 children of my own that will be doing distance learning and the amount of emails coming in and list of work for each class has me a bit stressed. Parents, we can do this with patience and understanding and a lot of communication. The fastest way to get in touch with me is through ClassDojo as those messages come straight to my phone. The majority of information at this time will come through Classdojo for quick reminders and messaging and through Google Classroom for assignments and resource links.

When you are done reading this post, bookmark it if you wish.

Here's the learning plan as it stands today, March 15, 2020.

Resources: We will be making use of several resources during these weeks. The two new resources for you will be Google Classroom and Zoom.

• Google Classroom is a Google App that students will access just like they access Google Drive for projects we have done this year. Tawheed has created individual student accounts for each student. These accounts are owned by the school and are more secure than regular gmail. I will be sending you your student's email information on Monday. You will receive e-mails with codes for signing up for each class. I will have 1 class for 4th grade that will have all the links, announcements, and assignments to help reduce the number of classes students have to access. Each of the other teachers, Islamic Studies, Arabic, and Quran will have their own codes and classrooms that they will share with you. 
• Zoom: Some of you are familiar with Zoom, some are not. Zoom is a teleconferencing website that allows for group meetings over the internet. Teachers will be holding live teaching sessions with students. Teachers are working to finalize their schedules with each other to avoid scheduling conflicts. Arabic, Quran, and Islamic Studies will have set days and times their live sessions. I will have flexible sign-ups. Information for signups for my sessions will be posted on Google Classroom. Requirements for attendance will be posted in this post. Students will need a computer, tablet or device that has speakers and a microphone. A headset with microphone is preferred. 

Here is the Subject-by-Subject for each of my classes: 

English - Language Arts: 

1) Stone Fox - I am sending the novel home with the materials. Each number has been assigned and books are expected to be returned in the shape they were given. 

• Students will be given 3 days for each chapter. They are expected to read the chapter and then complete the chapter questions. These will be posted in Google Classroom. They are expected to be completed on time. Assignments are graded. It is very important to not fall behind on these assignments. 

2) Independent Book Study: With lots of time at home, I am expecting students to read a novel of their choice. For students without books at home, they will be allowed to sign out classroom library books to read at home. These are expected to be returned in good shape. Students will be expected to complete weekly reader response assignments posted on Google Classroom as well as a book project that will be turned in when we return to school.

3) Live Sessions - All students will be expected to sign up 2x/wk for literature discussions via Zoom. I will be contacting specific students to schedule live sessions for one-on-one reading sessions with either me or Sister Lubna. I will also have a limited number of one-on-one help sessions for students to sign up for if they need help or have questions. 

4) Read Alouds - One thing I will miss most is reading with my students each day. Students love this part of the day, too. To try to keep this going I am creating YouTube videos of me reading. These will load each day and be posted in Google Classroom. 

5) Spelling City - Assignments will be posted on Monday on Spelling City. Students have until Friday to complete them. On Friday, the Spelling Test will be assigned.  

6) Journals - I will post a daily journal question on Google Classroom. Students are expected to answer the journal question within 24 hours. 

Math:

1) Zearn - Students are expected to complete 3 Zearn lessons a week. I have included in their take-home materials a packet of notes and exit tickets for students to use and complete with the lessons. I am also sending extra links to a site called Embarc which has printable activities and games for the different lessons. This would be extra for families that wish to do extra math as review or extension. 

2) Xtramath - Students are expected to complete Xtramath review 5x/wk. I can see if it has been done and how each student did, if they were wasting time, or just putting down an answer. Though I am not there, please remind students I can see each problem they complete. 

3) Pearson Realize - Students and Parents wanting extra practice and review can sign into Pearson Realize to complete the assignments posted there. I will be giving extra credit points for students who complete these activities. 

4) Live Sessions - Students are required to attend 3x/wk. I will post a signup schedule at the beginning of each week. Students are to sign up for 3 slots. Attendance will be taken. Students will need their math workbook, paper, and a pencil for these live sessions. In addition, select students will be required to attend one-on-one sessions 2x/wk with either myself or Sister Lubna. I will also provide time slots for one-on-one for students to sign up for questions and help. 

Social Studies:    

1) Studies Weekly - I will be sending home several weeks of Studies Weekly Newspaper. I am also creating online access logins for Studies Weekly materials. This will allow students to access the articles online along with the audio for each article, along with all the instructional videos, photos, activities, and questions. Some of these will be assigned each week but students are free to explore other resources. Test notifications will be posted on Google Classroom. Students will take the Studies Weekly Test when assigned. Like always, it is open paper, open note. 

2) Region Packets - I am sending home the packets and booklets for the last 3 US regions. Students will use the booklets as well as Studies Weekly and internet research to complete each paper and pencil packet. These will be collected when we return to school. 

3) US States - I am expecting students to continue to memorize the location of the US States. I will be posting links to games and activities to help with this on Google Classroom. 

Science: 

1) Mystery Science - I will be posting a link to a Mystery at the beginning of each week. Students are expected to finish the Mystery by the end of the week. On Friday, I will post a Mystery Assessment on Google Classroom. Occasionally, I may ask students to send a photo of a completed lab through ClassDojo. 

2) Virtual Field Trips - These are for fun and exploration. No work required. 

Now the BIG ONE: 

Iditarod Project - Students will be creating a travel guide for people visiting Alaska for the Iditarod Dogsled Race. This project incorporates English, Math, Science, and Social Studies. This travel guide can be created in several different formats but any format selected must have the same information. (This is not the complete assignment. That will be posted on Google Classroom.) 

Format options include; travel guide book, podcast, radio documentary, Google Slide presentation, brochure, or Google Doc travel guide. poster series. 

Information that students will include is; History of the race, race route, basic musher and team information, route maps, climate and weather of Alaska, population information, major landforms, major landmarks, waterways, natural resources, products, culture of Native American tribes, animals and their adaptations, and plants and their adaptations.   

I appreciate your understanding and patience in this challenging circumstance we find ourselves in but I am confident that we will all do the best we can to meet the needs of our Tawheed family. 

Jazak Allah Khayr, 

Sister Patti Picard

Week of 3-9-2020

Assalamu alikum, 

We survived science fair week! Alhamdelillah!

This week are getting used to our new schedule after the time change. Here's what we are doing this week: 

English-Language Arts

We are revising and editing our YAC stories. 

We are beginning a class novel called Stone Fox. This is a class-wide novel that goes with our Iditarod. This book is a great book because the main character has to utilize all the 7 habits. 

As a class read aloud we are reading Sled Dog School. The main character is running a sled dog school as a part of his math class. It's a great blend of sled dog racing, math, business, and life in the upper peninsula of Michigan. 

Math

Tigers and Lions are exploring equivalent fractions through tape diagrams. This will be the foundation for equivalent fractions through computation. Pistons will be using place value charts to divide 3 and 4 digit numbers. 

Science

We are continuing to learn about external and internal body systems in humans and animals. This week we are focusing on eyes and sight. 

Social Studies

Students are wrapping up the northeast region and will begin the southeast region. They will have a test on Friday on the northeast. Part of the test is to know the names and locations of the states in the region. While we will practice in class, it would be a good idea for students to review the northeast map daily. 

Jazak Allah Khayr, 

Sister Patti Picard

SNOW DAY, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2020

Assalamu alikum,

We have a snow day today. A good chance to curl up on the couch and sip some chai, tea, or hot cocoa.

Time stops for no man, or so they say, so while it seems like a perfect chance for a Fortnite marathon, there is quite a lot of work our students have to do to be ready for science fair next week. Alhamdelillah, I saw a lot of students share their science fair project Google Slides with me yesterday. I will go through those today to revise and edit them.

Here's what I need from students to make sure we are done on time.
All science fair slides and docs should be completed.

• Question
• Purpose
• Hypothesis
• Materials
• Procedure
• Data
• Results
• Conclusion
• Application
• **Essay** (Separate Google Doc)

I know several students are using the class account and can't sign in at home. It is asking for a verification from me. When you try, please send me a Classdojo message right away with the number on the screen so I can verify the account. 

 Please send me an e-mail if this doesn't work. I can send the file from that account to a parent's email or a student's independent account to finish their typing.  

Jazak Allah Khayr, 

Sister Patti Picard

Week of 2-24-2020

Assalamu alikum,

This week is a busy, busy week full of project wrap ups and tests to finish up the semester.
Friday is Student-Led Conferences. More detailed information will be come later this week in a separate e-mail.

Here's what we are doing this week.

English Language Arts
We will wrap up our novels in reading this week. In writing, we are going to write the rough drafts of our books for the YAC competition.

Math
Lions and Tigers start the week with a test on factors, multiples, and prime and composite numbers. Pistons will continue to build understanding of division.

Science
It's all about science fair. Boards will arrive on Monday and students will be completing their essays and write-ups as well as putting the board together for science fair the following week.

Social Studies
After a test on the Midwest Monday, students will read about the Northeast region and learn about the landforms, landmarks, resources, products, and other region information.

***Please send in $4 for the science fair board.***

Jazak Allah Khayr,
Sister Patti Picard

Week of 2-17-2020 - Field Trip and Sports Day Info

Assalamu alikum,

We will be getting a bit of a break this Thursday and Friday. But before then, we have a lot going on in the next 3 days.

#1) Field Trip Monday - We will be going bowling to Superbowl in Canton. Students will wear uniform. Early dismissal is at 2:30 pm.  The students will get a drink and 2 slices of pizza. We will have lunch around 12:30 pm. Please send a snack for students to have before getting on the bus. The bowling center does not allow outside food but student may bring extra money (up to $10) to purchase snacks. If your child is not going, they will stay home tomorrow. Again,
DISMISSAL AT 2:30 PM.

#2) Sports Day Wednesday - The 8th grade is running a sports day on Wednesday from 2:30 - 4:30 pm. It is $6 for an unlimited wristband for 7 different sports, game, and activity centers or $1 for one round at one station (Wristband is the best deal). Students who will be participating need to have their money with them on Wednesday. They will be dismissed from the classroom at 2:15 to go to the gym and buy they wristbands/tickets. Students are NOT participating will stay in the classroom to continue class and still need to be picked up at the regular 3:30 pm time. It is a regular uniform day.

Inside the classroom we will be taking care of business as usual. Students will be wrapping up assignments, finishing up their science fair essays, writing out the results, conclusion, and application parts for their science fair boards, creating data tables and graphs, etc. In math, Tigers and Lions will wrap up the short unit of Multiples and Factors. Lions will continue to work on division.

If you have any questions, please remember that I am available at tawpatti@gmail.com, through Orbund, or through Classdojo. Let's have a wonderful week, in sha'Allah.

Jazak Allah Khayr,
Sister Patti Picard

Week of 2-10-2020

Assalamu alikum,

Here is what we are doing this week.

English Language Arts -
We will continue to work on our novel studies. In writing, we are writing and typing our research essays. I still need $4 for Barebooks for the YAC competition from several students. 

Math -
Tigers have a test mid-week on division. Lions have an end of the week test on division. Pistons have a beginning of the week test on multiplication.

Science - I am placing the order for science fair boards. This will be cheaper for students, more convenient for parents, and will make sure everyone has a board on time and that they are the right size. I will send an email this week to let you know the cost.

Social Studies - Students have a test on naming the Midwest states. We will also be learning more about the Midwest states. There will be a test on the Midwest states at the beginning of next week.

Jazak Allah Khayr,
Sister Patti Picard

Week of 2-3-2020

Assalamu alikum,

Here is what we are up to this week.

English-Language Arts
We are continuing our historical fiction novels in reading. We will begin drafting our science fair 5-paragraph essays now that we are wrapping up our research. In the next week or so, we will begin story planning for YAC. Please see the letter from the YAC committee stapled into your child's planner. This Friday is the due date for the money for the Barebooks.

Math
Tigers and Lions and working steadily towards larger digit dividend division using place value charts and the standard algorithm. Pistons are now working on the partial product method for 2-digit by 2-digit multiplication.

Science
We are wrapping up gathering data and have already begun typing the information and titles for the science fair board. Some students will finish gathering their data this week while most students complete the first draft of the science fair board parts. Reminder that science fair is an in-class activity. One thing students can do at home is begin finding clip art, letters, etc. to go on the boards. I will send an e-mail later this week with information about science fair boards.

Social Studies
We are beginning our unit on the US regions. We will start with our current region, the Midwest. Students will use videos, books, informational texts, and their Studies Weekly Newspaper. Students will begin memorizing the 12 states that make up the Midwest. They will have a test next Monday to locate and label the 12 states in the region.

Please make sure to check the planners daily as I often staple notices (like Friday's YAC letter) into them for you to see.

Jazak Allah Khayr,
Sister Patti Picard

Pearson Realize Access

Assalamu alikum,

Some parents have requested the Pearson Realize usernames and passwords. They have been glued into the front of their planners for easy access.

I have created several assignments that cover all the lessons until the end of Topic 5. This does not mean we have covered these lessons. I have also assigned the Topic 1 through Topic 5 tests as well as the Online 1-4 Benchmark. These are not graded summative tests. Completing these will give the student an idea of what they know about those topics. It will then assign additional practice for concepts they need to review.

I have provided this for students and parents who want extra practice. These are not graded assignments.

PLEASE NOTE!!! This does not replace the assigned homework. Students will continue to get workbook pages, Zearn lessons, and supplemental packets of work as homework. As always, these assignments are written in the planners and ARE graded.

Jazak Allah Khayr,
Sister Patti Picard

Week of January 27, 2020

Assalamu alikum,

***Quick Note: Missing work reports and detention slips(for some) went home last week stapled in the student's planner. Detention for those with a slip is on Monday from 3:30 to 4:30pm ***

Here is what we are doing in class this week.

English-Language Arts
This week students will continue their novel studies. We will begin writing our research papers on our science fair topics.

Math
Tigers and Lions are both diving into division with remainders using concrete, pictorial, and abstract problem-solving strategies. Pistons are pressing on with double digit multiplication using area and box method.

Science
We will continue to work on our sound and light unit. We will also wrap up with collecting science fair data for our experiments. It is expected that experiments and data collection take place in class and not at home.

***Note: Some students have not brought in materials for their experiments. For those students who have not brought in materials, after this week we will not use class time for data collection. That means students who haven't begun collecting data will need to stay after school to complete their experiment and collect data.***

Social Studies
We are continuing to learn map basics such as the cardinal direction on the compass rose, the Earth's hemispheres and our continents and oceans.

 Public Service Project Part 2
The second activity our class chose to support the homeless community was blessing bags. Blessing bags are small bags with basic toiletries. The cost of the bags will be about $1.50 per bag. Our goal is to make around 150 bags. This means we need to raise $200. We will be doing this through hot chocolate sales at lunch. More details will come home soon after a class discussion and planning session.

Jazak Allah Khayr,
Sister Patti Picard

Week of 1/20/2020

Assalamu alikum, 

ATTENTION!!! Field trip has been postponed. REPEAT!!! There will be no field trip on Wednesday. It will be business as usual.  Now onto business...

HOMEWORK! I don't assign a lot of homework. But I am finding that the homework I am assigning is not being completed. I looked at the last 5 assignments I gave as homework and there was a turn in rate of less than 50%. For one math group on Monday night, no students completed the homework. The science article assigned Friday was turned in by 7 of 22 students. 

I am implementing the 5 assignment detention. When a student reaches 5 missing assignments, they will be issued a detention notice. On the date of the detention the student will stay after school until 4:30pm. Even if the missing work that led to the detention is completed, the detention is still to be served. Students will also conference with me during this time to develop a set of goals and actions to keep missing assignments from stacking up. 

Speaking of missing assignments, progress reports went out last Friday. Students are to have them signed and returned to school. This is a small grade in all classes. If you have lost your child's progress report, please let me or the main office know and we will send home a replacement. If a student's grade is low in a class, there is a very good chance that they are missing multiple assignments in that subject. I am meeting with parents so please contact me to set a meeting. Reminder; I need 24 hours notice to schedule a meeting. 

Here's what we are doing in class this week; 

ELA

Students are continuing reading their historical fiction novels. In writing, we are creating our concept maps and outlines for science fair background research. Students will have some research to complete at home later this week. 

Math

Tigers have a test on Tuesday on 2x2 multiplication. Lions have a test on the same topic on Thursday. Any Tigers who did not do well will have a retake on Thursday as well. Pistons have a test on Wednesday on 4x1 multiplication. 

Science

Monday and Tuesday we are doing an investigation on pitch and how it relates to waves and wavelengths and frequencies. Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday we will return to collecting science fair data. On Friday, students who are missing less than 5 assignments will also be able to participate in coding class. Coding class is quickly becoming a favorite class. Students are learning how to program avatars to follow directions, how to debug a faulty code, creating nest loops, and will soon move into conditionals. 

Social Studies

Students are completing an open book immigration test and summative project comic strip using information in their Week 12 newspaper. We will begin a lesson on hemispheres, continents, and the compass rose. On Friday, students will continue to work on their immigration project. 

Jazak Allah Khayr, 

Sister Patti Picard