Hello families,
I can't believe we only have a week left of school! We will be continuing to learn a lot in the classroom this upcoming week, and I wanted to share with you what we will be doing.
I can't believe we only have a week left of school! We will be continuing to learn a lot in the classroom this upcoming week, and I wanted to share with you what we will be doing.
How We Express Ourselves (Inquiry/Writing)
We finished our HTWW unit strong with PLTW! Since it ended, students have wrapped up their reflections on what we learned about energy, and have started learning about what it looks like to express ourselves. The central idea of our new unit is the following: people develop strategies to share their beliefs and values.
For this particular unit, we will be partnering together with University of Michigan's ELMAC program, which is an education master's program. Interns will be working with all three 4th grade classrooms for the month of January. We will be exploring walls and what they mean in our society today, and then eventually create an opinion piece around a current public policy issue. I hope to share more about this project as we start!
For this particular unit, we will be partnering together with University of Michigan's ELMAC program, which is an education master's program. Interns will be working with all three 4th grade classrooms for the month of January. We will be exploring walls and what they mean in our society today, and then eventually create an opinion piece around a current public policy issue. I hope to share more about this project as we start!
Math
Our class is starting Unit 4, which will mainly focus on multiplication. It's crucial students know their multiplication facts, so I encourage you to practice them with your student at home over break. Knowing their multiplication facts will aid them in this next unit!
Reading
We will be continuing learning about different strategies reader's use to process text. We will be doing mini-lessons, as well as more focused work in guided reading groups during reader's workshop. Please continue to read with your students at home and have meaningful conversations with them about their reading!
Announcements
Mitchell School Used-Book Give Away
One of our goals here at Mitchell School is that all students will spend time reading each day at home! This extra reading practice helps children develop as readers and develop an enjoyment for reading. To achieve this goal, we give away gently used books before winter break, spring break and summer break. Our winter break book give away is coming up the week of December 18th. Please know this:
All Mitchell School students will have the opportunity to choose a free book to add to their at home reading libraries. It is important that students continue to read during the winter break. After your child reads his or her book some questions you might ask your child are, “What was the problem in the story?” “How was the problem solved?” and/or “What did you learn from the book?” This opportunity is made possible through our partnership with the Children’s Literacy Network.
Handicap Parking Spaces – Mitchell
Dear Mitchell Families,
If you pick your child up at the end of the day, I’m asking that you please do not block access to the handicap parking spaces. It’s important that these spaces remain accessible for people to enter and exit without others blocking the spaces. If you have questions about this, please contact me at school.
Thank you for your help!
Matt
Ann Arbor IB Enrollment Update
We are happy to share that Ann Arbor area families are interested in the PreK-12th International Baccalaureate pathway of schools, which has resulted in an increase of 371 students. We love working with all families from all backgrounds to promote learning for their students!
- Mitchell Elementary current enrollment: 402 students, up by 127 students since the IB program was announced in the 2013-14 school year.
- Scarlett Middle School current enrollment: 620 students, up by 132 students since the IB program was announced in the 2013-14 school year.
- Huron High School current enrollment: 1,627 students, up by 112 students since the IB program was announced in the 2013-14 school year.
Inclement Weather
It's a good time to review weather protocols and prepare for the potential of school closings due to inclement weather. Remember, if your phone number is not current, or you have checked opt out of notifications; you will not receive calls from any AAPS building - including inclement Weather notifications. Families must update contact information with the building secretary any time there is a change. If this information is not updated you will not receive school closing information.
Mitchell PTO Meeting
The Mitchell PTO will be meeting on Tuesday, December 19 at 6:00 PM in the school media center. All families are welcome and encouraged to attend!
Mitchell PTO Opportunity
The Mitchell School PTO is looking for volunteers to sell concessions at the University of Michigan winter commencement ceremony on December 17. This is a fundraising opportunity for our school! The money will go to 5th grade camp, free field trips, and so much more!
Please contact Sarah Anton at [email protected] for further information or sign up at: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080f4aafa729a3fa7-sodexoworking
Colder Weather
As a friendly reminder, please send your children to school with the appropriate clothing to be outside for recess. It’s important for kids to be outside playing together and getting some exercise. Please send them with a coat, hat, gloves, etc. and we will be sure to have them wear it.
Spirit Fridays
On Friday’s at Mitchell School all children are encouraged to wear their favorite team shirts or their favorite colors!
One of our goals here at Mitchell School is that all students will spend time reading each day at home! This extra reading practice helps children develop as readers and develop an enjoyment for reading. To achieve this goal, we give away gently used books before winter break, spring break and summer break. Our winter break book give away is coming up the week of December 18th. Please know this:
All Mitchell School students will have the opportunity to choose a free book to add to their at home reading libraries. It is important that students continue to read during the winter break. After your child reads his or her book some questions you might ask your child are, “What was the problem in the story?” “How was the problem solved?” and/or “What did you learn from the book?” This opportunity is made possible through our partnership with the Children’s Literacy Network.
Handicap Parking Spaces – Mitchell
Dear Mitchell Families,
If you pick your child up at the end of the day, I’m asking that you please do not block access to the handicap parking spaces. It’s important that these spaces remain accessible for people to enter and exit without others blocking the spaces. If you have questions about this, please contact me at school.
Thank you for your help!
Matt
Ann Arbor IB Enrollment Update
We are happy to share that Ann Arbor area families are interested in the PreK-12th International Baccalaureate pathway of schools, which has resulted in an increase of 371 students. We love working with all families from all backgrounds to promote learning for their students!
- Mitchell Elementary current enrollment: 402 students, up by 127 students since the IB program was announced in the 2013-14 school year.
- Scarlett Middle School current enrollment: 620 students, up by 132 students since the IB program was announced in the 2013-14 school year.
- Huron High School current enrollment: 1,627 students, up by 112 students since the IB program was announced in the 2013-14 school year.
Inclement Weather
It's a good time to review weather protocols and prepare for the potential of school closings due to inclement weather. Remember, if your phone number is not current, or you have checked opt out of notifications; you will not receive calls from any AAPS building - including inclement Weather notifications. Families must update contact information with the building secretary any time there is a change. If this information is not updated you will not receive school closing information.
Mitchell PTO Meeting
The Mitchell PTO will be meeting on Tuesday, December 19 at 6:00 PM in the school media center. All families are welcome and encouraged to attend!
Mitchell PTO Opportunity
The Mitchell School PTO is looking for volunteers to sell concessions at the University of Michigan winter commencement ceremony on December 17. This is a fundraising opportunity for our school! The money will go to 5th grade camp, free field trips, and so much more!
Please contact Sarah Anton at [email protected] for further information or sign up at: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080f4aafa729a3fa7-sodexoworking
Colder Weather
As a friendly reminder, please send your children to school with the appropriate clothing to be outside for recess. It’s important for kids to be outside playing together and getting some exercise. Please send them with a coat, hat, gloves, etc. and we will be sure to have them wear it.
Spirit Fridays
On Friday’s at Mitchell School all children are encouraged to wear their favorite team shirts or their favorite colors!