Stone Bank School
Reaching Out ~ January 20, 2017
Parent Information Night for 4K and New 5K Families
Boys and Girls Volleyball Registration, grades 6-8
Personal Information Updates
Reader's Workshop
Middle School Parents / Guardians,
This little blurb is designed to help you as parents understand the new Reader’s workshop model in the middle school and how it is being implemented. It is also designed to bring awareness to a link that the students can use in case they miss school and need the notes from class.
Below, you will find a general description of the reader's workshop model and how it is implemented on a daily basis at the middle school level.
How does Reader’s Workshop Work in middle school?
Individual
Students read 25 - 30 minutes every day (independent read class time) in a book of their own choosing in a genre chosen by the teacher. During this time, the teacher runs individual conferences with each student to monitor comprehension and help with note taking skills.
Partner work
Students discuss every day what was read during independent read with their partner. This discussion can be free flowing or directed toward a specific literary element identified by the teacher. Additionally, it allows students to practice summarizing what was read as well as work on asking and answering questions related to the text. It also exposes students to other books in their genre that they might be interested in reading next. Finally, it allows the “skill of that week” to be reinforced with discussion from the books being read by the student and their partner.
During pair share time in large group, students discuss with a partner during opportunities of pair share. These conversations are usually teacher directed and referred to as “turn and talk” time. These discussions usually are connected to the read aloud, the seminar lesson, or a specific literary element the teacher would like the students to focus on.
Small Group / Strategy Group
Students spend the entire week working on a specific concept on their own during independent read. Students also work on that concept with their partners during pair / share. Students are also given an opportunity to meet for strategy groups once a week (Fridays). The strategy groups allow teachers to check in and make sure those connections are being made. The group also allows students to see multiple viewpoints at or near their own reading level. This exposes them to multiple books in their genre that they might want to explore for the rest of the unit. Graphic organizers are used in this time to make sure students are mastering the specific concept being developed.
Large Group
Students learn how to listen and / or read along with the teacher as the teacher reads a passage to the entire class. This is achieved in the Read Aloud portion of Reader’s Workshop and occurs two - three days a week. Students also receive short seminar lessons on various literary elements and strategies. During this time, teachers can address grade level concepts with all the students and use traditional discussion questions to engage discussion and analysis for the students. Students either analyze on their own (independently) as the teacher reads, with a partner during opportunities of pair share, or in large group with A partners and B partners sharing out their discussions to the group.
The other component of large group work is seminar sessions. This occurs two - three times a week. Both lessons usually address a similar literary concept, idea, or strategy in different ways. Students are expected to take notes in a specific portion of their notebook during this time. The teacher will often read a short passage and there will often be pair / share discussions during this time.
The link below connects you to a chart that outlines the weekly lesson plan in case you are more of a visual learner.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1j2UF_ML-87v7hsj0OYQUrAaTFx9fhYiohTN72X3kRIE/edit
Finally, the following link allows all parents and students access to materials used in class for instructions. Students often receive this information through Edmodo as well. This website can also be accessed through the school website on the Reading page.
https://studentmaterialsreadersworkshop.wikispaces.com/
Sincerely,
Mr. Zastrow
Middle School Reading Teacher
262-966-2900 EXT 3060
Project Linus
Peanut Butter and Jelly Challenge
Student Council has voted to help Stone Bank School participate in the 14th Annual Feeding America Peanut Butter & Jelly Challenge . Only plastic jars or peanut butter and jelly will be accepted. The school that donates the greatest weight per student will win tickets to a Bucks game in March or April. We will be putting a box in each homeroom and one in the office for staff members. Each grade level will compete against the others for a prize. The grade level with the most jars collected per person will win. Well, really Feeding America recipients will win! Please help us in this endeavor by bringing in a plastic jar or peanut butter or jelly. We will start collecting right away and will be taking the jars to Feeding America at the end of February.
Here is the link to the PB&J Flyer. Feeding America SE Wisconsin
Summer Learning Opportunities Night
PTO Annual Chili Cook Off
School Food Drive
Our school food drive, co-sponsored by the 5th grade girl scout troop and the student council, was a fantastic success. 632 items were collected over the 2-week drive. Hallway winners for the most items collected in their respective classrooms were: Mrs. Boyd, Mrs. Johnston, and Mrs. Weber’s classrooms. Mrs. Weber’s classroom came out on top with over 100 items collected and an average of 5 items per student! Donated items were received by the Oconomowoc Food Pantry with much gratitude. Members of Troop 6022 carried in, sorted, shelved and learned about the needs of both the food pantry and their clients. Thank you to each student and family that participated!
Junior Achievement Vlounteers Needed
Junior Achievement is a non-profit organization established in 1941. It teaches children the economics of life inspiring children to lean, do their best and to be successful. Please see attached volunteer opportunity form.
We would welcome any help finding volunteers for the Junior Achievement programs.
We need parent volunteers to present in the following classrooms:
Michelle Leonard ~ 3rd grade ~ Our City
Megan Klein ~ 3rd grade ~ Our City
Debbie Johnston ~ 5th grade ~ Our Nation
Mike Lyon ~ 5th grade ~ Our Nation
Sandy Bethia ~ Kindergarten ~ Ourselves
Jody Sedlachek ~ Kindergarten ~ Ourselves
Weekly Planner
Monday, January 23
· Math Club 2:35pm-3:30pm
Tuesday, January 24
· Coding Club 2:35pm-3:30pm
Wednesday, January 25
· Report Cards posted to Skyward
· Math Club 2:35pm-3:30pm
· Empire Photo here for group pictures 12:00pm
Thursday, January 26
· 5th grade DARE 7:40am-9:00am
· Buildings and Grounds Meeting 7:15am
· Student Council Meeting 2:35-4:00pm
Friday, January 27
· Lockdown Drill at Stone Bank School
Monday, January 30
Tuesday, January 31
· Coding Club 2:35pm-3:30pm
Wednesday, February 1
Thursday, February 2
· Budget and Finance Meeting 7:15am
· 5th grade DARE 7:40am-9:00am
Friday, February 3