1+Sep+2011

September 1, 2011

Dear Kindergarten/Grade 1 Parents, I am very excited to be teaching your children every Friday. It will be my job to ensure that your children become lifelong enthusiastic readers and writers. English will be the medium of instruction for the entire day every Friday. In addition to teaching the important English literacy skills I will also be teaching some numeracy (math) skills, as well as some social studies and science concepts. These important skills and concepts will be organized into a transdisciplinary concept-driven unit of inquiry. Out first unit of inquiry revolves around the central idea, "Human relationships are based on the division of rights and responsibilities." This central idea is not written in child accessible language as is customary for PYP central ideas, but it will be unpacked for and negotiated with the students over the next six weeks. The enduring understanding is that the students will finish the unit realizing that rules are agreements and that a strong character as exemplified in the IB Learner Profile (Caring, Thinkers, Knowledgeable, Inquirers, Risk-Takers, Open Minded, Balanced, Communicators, Principled, and Reflective) helps us keep our agreements to each other. This abstract concept will be unpacked into more concrete concepts for the students through transdisciplinary inquiry-based activities over the course of the next six weeks. More about the first units of inquiry for all grade levels will be included in the parent newsletter which will be sent on Tuesday, September 6, 2011. This Friday, September 2, the students will stay with Kai Laoshi for the day as they are just settling into the classroom routines and getting to know their classroom teacher. Next week, on Tuesday and Thursday I will be pulling out students one by one to do some diagnostic testing to determine current proficiency levels for English speaking, listening, phonics, reading comprehension, basic writing and spelling as well as some Math diagnostic testing. This will allow me to differentiate the teaching and learning in the class. The first English day will be next Friday, September 9, 2011. Please also take note of the following points: 1. There is no need for any stationary as the school will provide all pencils, pens, notebooks, and papers as is necessary. 2. If your child has any special needs please inform me as soon as possible so I can make proper accommodations and modifications if necessary. 3. The most convenient way to contact me is at my school e-mail

nathan.pope@shureninternationalschool.com and you may also text me at 559.392.8766. Please text or e-mail to request a telephone or in person conversation, I will immediately arrange one.

4. I will send a homework packet home every Monday and it will be due the following Monday. The first homework packet will go home Tuesday, September 6 and will be due Monday September 12. 5. If you can volunteer in the classroom please let me know what time on Fridays you can be available at least one week in advance and I will be very happy to plan for a meaningful way in which you can greatly assist in the teaching and learning. I am really looking forward to working with your children! Sincerely, Nathan M Pope