Mr. McCoy's Summer Weekly Log
Monday, June 1, 2015
INTO AFRICA
The adventure will soon begin! Your child’s ultimate goal, this summer, will be to research an African country; then create—and make—a presentation to his/her fellow African explorers. To achieve this goal, your child will be immersed in research, reading, writing, geography, and computer skills. This week, each student will take notes on information about Africa; read African folk tales; and learned about Africa’s geography by watching a video, Discovery Channel: School, Africa: People and Places-and by answering questions about a map of Africa. We will also work on math skills geared to prepare your child for fifth grade. Up first: Adding Dollars and Cents! He/she will also play games of “King Tut’s Tomb,” “Deadly Waters,” and “Butterfly.” So, grab your safari gear, hop on your trusty camel—and keep reading: We’re heading “Into Africa”!
The Video Version of This Newsletter
Follow Us on Twitter!
YouTube Videos and Padlet Site
On Monday Evening, May 25, you should have received the following email:
Welcome African Adventurers!
Are you ready to embark upon an adventure to the magnificent continent of Africa? If so, keep reading!
This is Mr. McCoy, your African guide, ready to guide you toward an unparalleled Summer Adventure experience! For all of the fantastic details, tune in to one of the two previews below:
For Students-A Preview of Your African Adventures:
Be sure to email me your answers to the questions in the video!
For Parents-Issue 1 of Mr. McCoy's Summer Adventure Weekly Log:
https://www.smore.com/vrq3 (print version)
https://youtu.be/SFJQR3cYVAI (video version)
Students, when you are finished watching the video, please go to this Padlet site, and answer the question that you will find there:
http://padlet.com/rmccoy1/wbhx75gg1d67
Please let me know if you have any questions or comments!
See you soon!
Mr. McCoy, Tribal Leader
African Folktales
"Once upon a time..." Folktales are a vital part of African culture--and a vital part of our program! Each day, an African folktale is presented in class, via You Tube. Here is a sampling of those presentations:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPZzyIPR5vY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmsT4tXGOiQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iGpjT0uvU4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6C7W62RbgI&feature=em-upload_owner
Time for Math
Yes, math is important, too—therefore, a portion of our daily routine will also include math practice, in the form of Go Math lessons, designed to help your child get ready for fifth grade--and games and other practice activities, such as “The Haunted Swamp” and “Diving for Remainders.” Each week, we will also focus on one basic math operation per day: Monday, addition; Tuesday, subtraction; Wednesday, multiplication; Thursday, division; Friday, mixed facts. I have also included a link to the math section of my School Loop website; there is a bounty of great practice opportunities there as well!
Link to Math Section of School Loop Site:
My Story
I am a Liberty Oaks fifth grade teacher, during the regular school year, and I just completed my 30th year of teaching. Before coming to Liberty Oaks, 10 years ago, I taught at Manor Hill Elementary School, for 14 years; before that, I taught sixth grade, for one year, at Liberty Middle School and, for five years before that, I taught sixth grade at Franklin Elementary School. I graduated from Liberty High School and earned my Bachelor of Science degree, in Elementary Education, from William Jewell College. I earned my Master of Science Degree from Central Missouri State University. (It’s hard to believe that, with all of this experience, I am only 38 years old!)
Attendance is Vital to Success
Please send your child to summer school every day! Each day, of this summer adventure, builds on the day before. If your child misses a day, he/she loses out on a valuable day of learning. Absolutely no time will be wasted, I assure you! Your child will be involved in productive learning every minute of each and every day! And he/she will be better prepared to enter fifth grade! Thank you!
The Adventure Has Just Begun!
Please sign the folder (which your child will receive on Monday, June 1), and return it, with your child, tomorrow! From this point on, you will receive the folder every Friday!