WOH For Tuesday, March 26, 2019
Integrating Subjects By Lisa Richardson, 5th Grade Teacher
When I started teaching over 20 years ago, subject integration was the primary teaching practice. In most schools, classrooms were using centers to teach a combination of science, art and literacy. Over the years, I have been trained in many different teaching strategies from whole group instruction, cooperative learning groups, to inquiry based instruction. In recent years, the education field has been requiring educators in both public and private schools to directly instruct common core standards in each individual subject area.
Six years ago, I left public education and started teaching at Hope. I have been extremely grateful for this change for so many reasons, but one of the biggest is that I am able to return to the practice of integrating subjects.
Two months ago, the 5th graders started their social studies unit on Colonial America. After reading about the colonies students were assigned an individual colony to research and create a persuasive PowerPoint presentation. This was their task:
“The time is 1735 and you are in London, England. A population explosion in England has left little available space throughout the country. The people are running the risk of starving because they are unable to grow and import enough food. There is plenty of room in the 13 American colonies, but with little information available, people are hesitant to move there. The King has asked YOU to create an advertisement of some sort about your colony, in hopes of attracting more people to move there.”
In order to persuade their fellow classmates, students were required to research as much factual information as possible to include in their PowerPoints while using persuasive language.
In our literacy curriculum we were learning about narrative nonfictions. In a narrative nonfiction piece, the narrator describes true events or situations from his or her point of view. In addition, we have also been studying the differences between facts and opinions using figurative language. These skills really came into focus during the students’ presentations.
We spent over a month working in the computer lab almost daily. Students learned how to create a PowerPoint project, research websites, find images that added interest, and navigate a keyboard. Finally, in the end, each student presented their final project to the class.
Through the integration of many subject areas, the 5th graders were also meeting common core standards in reading, writing, listening, technology, history and communication. Most importantly, they had a lot of fun learning!
Tues. 3/26: 6:30 PM Arts Walk Meeting
Wed. 3/27: 8:40 AM Chapel led by Kindergarten Class/ 1:15 PM Talent Show at SLHS Gym
Fri. 3/29: 12:00 PM Dismiss – Begin Spring Break / ESC “XTRA” Open with Pre-registration
Mon. 4/1 to Fri. 4/5: No School or ESC Spring Break
Thurs. 4/11 & 4/12: No School for Parent-Teacher Conferences / ESC Programs Open
2nd Trimester Report Cards / Honor Roll
Your students 2nd trimester report cards are coming home today, March 26. Please keep your copy, sign the envelope to verify receipt and return to your student’s homeroom teacher. Please contact your child’s teacher with any questions or concerns. Middle school honor roll students will be recognized during chapel service tomorrow, Wednesday, March 27.
Arts Walk Auction Next Meeting – March 26 @ 6:30 PM –Please join the PTH as we begin organizing this amazing event and earn PIP! Meet in the church commons.
Parent/Teacher Conferences, April 11 & 12
These spring conferences are optional for our K-8 grade families however required for our preschool families. Confirmed conference times will be sent home today, Tuesday, March 26.
ESC & Sand Dollar Club Open April 11 & 12
Our extended school care programs will be open during our parent/teacher conferences on April 11 & 12. Our ESC families will need to pre-register their students for these full days for staffing purposes. Prepay forms can be found on our website here. Thank you for your understanding.
PTH & PIP Opportunities – Click Here
Visit signupgenius.com and search by pth@hopeseattle.org. Arts Walk Auction meeting dates and additional information available online here.
Hope School’s 60th Anniversary Celebration Information Meeting – Monday, April 15th
In 1959 a dream was realized and Hope Lutheran School opened its doors to 88 students in kindergarten through fifth grade and grew from there. This coming fall, Hope celebrates its 60th year! That is something to celebrate. We are forming a steering committee to help organize some special events next school year and we want you to be a part of it! Current families, alumni, church members and past and present staff are welcome to attend an information meeting, Monday, April 15th at 6:30 pm to discuss ideas of how to mark this big milestone and begin the planning process. PIP hours apply to all current Hope school families. Memorabilia is also being collected such as old pictures, clothing, yearbooks, etc. If you are not able to attend, but have some ideas to share, please email Sally Heit at sheit@hopeseattle.org. Can’t wait to get started!
School Clubs at Hope – Click Here
Coding with Kids “Minecraft Modding” will be offered beginning Wednesday, April 10 for grades 3-5. For more information contact info-seattle@codingwithkids.com. Register at www.codingwithkids.com/session/12417.
We are looking for a parent volunteer to head up our Lego Club after spring break as Mrs. Brumberg is not available until Fall. Please contact Mrs. Wallace if you are interested at swallace@hopeseattle.org. This would be a 2 month, once a week 1 hour commitment with Legos provided.
Church News & Activities – Click Here
Vacation Bible School – July 29 – Aug. 2, 2019
“Roar! Life Is Wild – God Is Good” VBS Registration is open online! https://vbspro.events/p/events/cb7831. This summer we will continue our awesome tradition of hosting VBS for the families of Hope and the community! Preschool children (age 4 by Sept. 1, and potty trained) through those entering 5th grade in the fall are invited to register. Students entering 6th grade in the fall are invited to serve as a volunteer. Participant and volunteer registration is available at hopeseattle.org. The registration fee is $25; after May 1 it’s $30. Scholarships are available upon request.
Mid-Week Lenten Services At 7:00 P.M. – We gather for a short worship experience featuring traditional and contemporary worship hymns and songs, “The Series of Jake” skit each week, and inspiring messages to take us deeper into Jesus’ amazing love.
Lenten Skits – Our mid-week services will include skits written by Jonathan Kopecky (our Youth Minister), and will have youth actors under the direction of Hope member, Sandra Scragg. This week’s skit: “Jake has lost something important to him.”
Wednesday Soup Suppers – Come to the Fellowship Hall at 6 p.m. for an informal meal of a variety of soups, green salad, and bread. It’s a wonderful and delicious way to connect! This week’s Host Group is the Thursday Women’s Bible Study Group.
Seattle Lutheran High School Drama Presents
The Wizard of Oz! By L. Frank Baum
Dorothy Gale is having issues: her dog bit her grouchy neighbor, her family doesn’t have time for her, and she just wants to go someplace where she won’t get into any trouble. In the middle of a cyclone, she gets transported to the magical land of Oz, where she meets new friends, has some adventures, and learns the importance of home. Come let our talented actors and live orchestra take you over the rainbow! The performance times will be on the evening of Friday, April 26 and Saturday, April 27 at 7:30 PM and the afternoon of Sunday, April 28, 2019 at 2:30 PM in the Seattle Lutheran High School gymnasium located at 4100 SW Genesee Street. Tickets: Adults $10, Students and Seniors $7, Children 6 and under are Free. Buy tickets on line at www.seattlelutheran.org.
WSHS Parents Night Out – March 30, 2019
Let West Seattle High School sophomore class students watch your kids while enjoying an evening out! This event is for childcare for kids ages 3(potty trained) to 11 years old and includes pizza, drinks, snacks, games, movies and crafts. Saturday, March 30th, 2019 from 5:30-10:30pm at West Seattle High School, 3000 California Avenue SW. Check in at the historical entrance on the left side of the building. Cost is $35 per child or $30 with 2 cans of food donations for the West Seattle Food Bank. For more information or to RSVP contact wshsco2021@gmail.com. Thank you so much for your support!