Room 9 News

October 15, 2007, Volume 1, Issue 6

North Beach Elementary

 (206) 252-1510

 mmmay@seattleschools.org

Family Interviews Are a Vital Link to the Past

            Last week, room 9 students began a combined literature/social studies unit on how communities are formed.  After reading the story The Keeping Quilt, we discussed elements of culture and heritage including ethnicity, cooking, religion and language. Students had a spirited discussion about place and history. During this discussion many students made connections between their family background and the way our community is formed by people from all over the world.

            This unit will last for about two months.  We will use stories on Cultural Tradition from the basal reader as well as one or two units from the Seattle Public School’s adopted Social Studies text on map skills, community and culture.  We will use the world map to trace our ancestor’s places of origin to different countries. Volunteers from Junior Achievement will join us to lead several activities on   community, business and industry.  We will have several cooking projects as well as arts and crafts projects in this unit.

For most students, the highlight of the unit is the family interviews. These are an opportunity for children to connect their own family life to the story of our community and our region.  Last week, students took home a sheet to write about a tradition from their own family.  We will also have family (or community member) interviews with a veteran and a family background interview to find where our families come from around the world.  In addition, there will be a research and interview project on a tradition related to each student’s cultural heritage.  We will use this information in class to write a family background essay.  Students will also have the option of making a short (10-15 minutes) presentation on an aspect of family culture.  Past presentations have included a Russian alphabet lesson, language mini-lessons, cooking food items, presentations of crafts or other specialty background information.  I will have sign-ups for times for these presentations soon.

If you have any questions or concerns, please call or email me.

Important Dates

Thursday, October 18, 7:00:  Spectrum Task Force Meets at JSCEE

Wednesday, October 31: Two hour early dismissal

Halloween Party 11:45-1:00

Friday, November 12:  Veteran’s Day--No school

November 13-20:  Two hour early dismissal for Parent Conferences

Sign up for your conference now!

November 21: One hour early dismissal

November 22 and 23:  Thanksgiving holiday--No school

Weekly Reader--$6.00 now due         for class subscriptions