Hello families!

Thank you all for working with your child to make today a success. I loved getting to know your students and I cannot wait for the learning we will get to do together.

Homework

Students know that their homework is to set up their virtual learning space and make sure it has all the expected materials. Please read through this list with your child.

The list is also in Google Classroom. There is no assignment to turn in with it. Students just need to click “Submit” once you have finished this process.

Waiting Room Issues

Thank you for your patience today if your student was in the waiting room longer than expected at any point today. Managing the waiting room while teaching lessons is a new skill for me. I have a system now, so this should not be a major issue in the future. If it occurs, please send me a quick email or text, and I will check the waiting room within a few minutes.

Questions

Please reach out to me at my email with any questions you may have.

Report cards will be mailed to you in the coming days. In each subject, students have received an “M”, a “P”, or an “LP.”

• M – “Meeting.” The student turned in the majority of the work in the subject and it met grade-level expectations.
• P – “Progressing.” The student turned in some work in the subject of a quality that approached grade-level expectations.
• LP – “Limited Participation.” This means I received very little work in the subject and so was unable to grade.

This was a difficult time for students and family members, and I recognize some grades reflect these strange circumstances rather than your student’s ability. Please recognize that I only gave out “LP”s and “P’s in the effort to help your student and family see what subjects should be especially focused on in the fall. The same can be said for my comments. Lindbergh and the district will not hold this time against any student. Grades and comments serve the purpose of letting us all know how we should progress from here to support your child.

I will be intermittently available via email if you have questions.

Dear Students and Families,

It is with a mix of excitement and sadness that I write this post. We have all worked hard this school year, especially the last few months, and it is time for a much deserved break for us all! However, I am truly going to miss this group of students. My first year of teaching turned out nothing like I expected it would, and this class full of kind, bright, hard-working students made every moment of this experience worth it. Family members, I thank you for your support and for welcoming me into your child’s life this year. It has been so wonderful to get to know you all. Students, I encourage you to come visit me in my new Lindbergh classroom, room 206, next school year!

I have some announcements for 5th grade and 4th grade below, but otherwise, that’s a wrap on our school year! Have an amazing summer!

Love,

Ms. Juntunen

Fifth Grade Promotion Ceremony and Summer Learning

Today is the day! Our virtual ceremony is at 9:30 am. You will receive a link to the ceremony several minutes before via email. Please read the emails I have sent you up until this point to make sure you are ready for all the details of today’s celebration.

Please see my previous blog posts and emails for information about middle school summer learning expectations.

Summer Learning for Students Returning to Lindbergh

 As a result of the school shut down, estimates suggest students will return in the fall 2020 with roughly 70% of the learning gains in reading relative to a typical school year.  In mathematics, students are likely to show much smaller learning gains, and in some grades may be nearly a full year behind what we would observe in normal conditions. In order to close the summer learning loss gap in reading and math, students should be reading on a daily basis and completing math activities. Below are some recommended activities:

• Zearn at http://zearn.org
• Eureka Math Resources on greatminds.org: Find Knowledge on the Go, then click Access Free Resources.  Click your grade or the next grade!
• Raz-Kids Reading (http://raz-kids.com).
• Read 30 minutes each day.

Thank you so much for supporting your child’s development through summer learning.

Activities today and tomorrow

TODAY – End of Year Party @ 12:30 on Big Blue Button. We will celebrate our time together with some fun games. Please help your student log on. It will be helpful for all of us to get some closure on this school year by “gathering together” virtually one last time.

Thursday, June 11th – Fifth Grade Graduation events. Fifth grade families, please refer to the details I sent you over email 🙂 I will send a follow-up email sometime today.

There are no whole-class events Thursday. Fourth graders will get to start their summer one day early 🙂

Summer Learning for Middle School

Fifth grade families, please take a look at the email I sent you regarding summer learning expectations. You can also read the letter about it here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1AuCd8e7qglmdl4qh9FrCN6Lw7cN4eG8uzgWNlkzC7zE/edit?usp=sharing

This slideshow explains step by step how to use Khan Academy, and overall clarifies the summer assignments: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1_xoSdH_w_wiU_RmiBhyykegOZXzDdW_t4fZXxCVcWEw/edit?usp=sharing

Make sure to check out the links on the LAST SLIDE of the slideshow, because they show the requirements depending on what middle school your student is attending. For example, Bryant Middle School is requiring that students read THREE books, not two. If you have any questions, send an email to the address listed on the last slide.

My Availability

I will be intermittently available from 9 to 3:30 on Remind and email, as I have several non-instructional work responsibilities to attend to today. Remind will be the best way to reach me.

Please note that you will not get a new blog post tomorrow, as there are no events that day for our end of year plan. Please use this opportunity for students to go through their school belongings to plan which work to keep and which work to recycle.

Activities this Week

School is still “in session” this week! We will be celebrating the end of the school year. Please encourage your child to participate in the following events. It is important for us as a classroom community to get some closure this school year.

TODAY!!! Monday, June 8th – Read Aloud @ 12:30 on Big Blue Button. We will read as many chapters of Walk Two Moons as we can, and I will make sure students know how they can finish the rest of the book if they want to.

Wednesday, June 10th – End of Year Party @ 12:30 on Big Blue Button. We will celebrate our time together with some fun games.

Thursday, June 11th – Fifth Grade Graduation events. Fifth grade families, please refer to the details I sent you over email 🙂

Read Aloud Today

As the schedule above says, we will be trying to get through as much as we can of our class read aloud, Walk Two Moons. Students should log on to Big Blue Button at 12:30 to participate.

To help students have closure on this story, please consider purchasing/borrowing the book or listening to the audio book (there are good readings of it that can be found on YouTube if you search “Walk Two Moons Read Aloud,” and I would highly recommend doing Audible’s one month free trial.) The full title of the book is Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech.

My Availability

I will be intermittently available from 9 to 3:30 on Remind and email, as I have several non-instructional work responsibilities to attend to today. Remind will be the best way to reach me.

All Work Due Today

This is it: the final day of school work! Today is a catch-up day so there are no new assignments. I will not be accepting work after today so make sure you have turned everything in! I have linked this week’s assignment schedules so you can do one last check.

4th Grade Weekly Schedule:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WVkjV91jAvh-3ciTydugIBo5JA_kLDeyHwDwM0zq9TM/edit?usp=sharing

5th Grade Weekly Schedule:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HLexlGzNBP9R3lWKd6C4e9yXvcZ114A6mUiYLDRFe5E/edit?usp=sharing

Next Week

School is still “in session” next week! We will be celebrating the end of the school year. Please encourage your child to participate in the following events. It is important for us as a classroom community to get some closure this school year.

Monday, June 8th – Read Aloud @ 12:30 on Big Blue Button. We will read as many chapters of Walk Two Moons, and I will make sure students know how they can finish the rest of the book if they want to.

Wednesday, June 10th – End of Year Party @ 12:30 on Big Blue Button. We will celebrate our time together with some fun games.

Thursday, June 11th – Fifth Grade Graduation events. Fifth grade families, please refer to the details I sent you over email 🙂

My Availability

I will be intermittently available from 9 to 3:30 on Remind and email, as I have several non-instructional work responsibilities to attend to today. Remind will be the best way to reach me.

Please note that since I will be assisting with pick up and drop off (see below), and will be doing other non-instructional work responsibilities, I will not be as available as usual. I will also have office hours. Please reach out to me via Remind if at all possible.

Pick Up and Drop Off of Materials Today

Today there is an opportunity to drop off school materials at Lindbergh and pick up student belongings that were left before the building closed. Please prepare to follow Ms. Tiba’s instructions: https://iblog.dearbornschools.org/juntuna/2020/06/01/pick-up-materials-thursday/

Please make sure you return any school resources you have. Many students in our classroom have my personal classroom materials, and I would like to have these for future years. Here are some common items your student may have:

• Social studies textbooks
• Books from our classroom library (most of them have “Juntunen” written somewhere on the book)
• Book boxes
• Protractors

Schedule for the Week

All work is due by tomorrow, so please check over the assignment calendar and support your student in finishing everything. Work today is light and tomorrow is a catch up day to give students time.

4th Grade Weekly Schedule:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WVkjV91jAvh-3ciTydugIBo5JA_kLDeyHwDwM0zq9TM/edit?usp=sharing

5th Grade Weekly Schedule:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HLexlGzNBP9R3lWKd6C4e9yXvcZ114A6mUiYLDRFe5E/edit?usp=sharing

Music, PE, Art, and Science Enrichment

Students have weekly assignments for each of their special classes. Students can find these assignments on Google Classroom under the Classwork tab. These assignments are required and will factor into report card grades for those subjects. Please pay attention to the due dates on these assignments, as they may be different from mine.

Math

There is no new math lesson. Fourth graders should make sure they finish lesson 2 on Zearn, and fifth graders should get through lesson 13.

ELA

1- Thank You Notes for Specials Teachers: There are four assignments under the “writing” tab, one for each specials teacher. Students should use the Google Doc on each assignment to write a thank you note to these teachers, as these teachers work with our students year after year and dedicate so much to them. Please have students take their time and ensure that these notes are accurate. I will accept these until June 10th, as I will be sharing them with teachers on the last day of school.

2- The Personal Narrative Final Copy is due today! Please see instructions on Google Classroom.

3- As always, students should read for 30 minutes.

Social Studies

Nothing new! Finish the assignments from earlier this week.

My Availability

I will be intermittently available from 9 am to 3:30 pm on the following platforms:

-Remind (link: https://www.remind.com/join/msjuntune)

-Email (juntuna@dearbornschools.org)

-I am no longer offering teacher office hours, but can something up upon request (see below).

-I can also set up a phone call with you for the following day if you need support that cannot be fully addressed over Remind or email. Since I will also be focusing on my family during this time, I cannot guarantee a same-day phone call.

End of Year Emails

I have sent an email to each family regarding end of year activities. Please read the email and reply to me with the requested information. Contact me if you did not receive this email.

Returning and Picking Up Materials

On Thursday, there is an opportunity to drop off school materials at Lindbergh and pick up student belongings that were left before the building closed. Please prepare to follow Ms. Tiba’s instructions: https://iblog.dearbornschools.org/juntuna/2020/06/01/pick-up-materials-thursday/

Please make sure you return any school resources you have. Many students in our classroom have my personal classroom materials, and I would like to have these for future years. Here are some common items your student may have:

• Social studies textbooks
• Books from our classroom library (most of them have “Juntunen” written somewhere on the book)
• Book boxes
• Protractors

Schedule for the Week

Please make sure all students are ready to turn in work by Friday, June 5th or earlier, as this is the last day I will be accepting work.

Here are the assignment calendars for this week so students can finish up their assignments:

4th Grade Weekly Schedule:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WVkjV91jAvh-3ciTydugIBo5JA_kLDeyHwDwM0zq9TM/edit?usp=sharing

5th Grade Weekly Schedule:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HLexlGzNBP9R3lWKd6C4e9yXvcZ114A6mUiYLDRFe5E/edit?usp=sharing

Math

4th grade: Lesson 2 of Module 6. Watch Knowledge on the Go video and complete the problem set. Due Thursday night. Students also need to have completed lessons 1 and 2 on Zearn by Friday. There will be one assignment on Google Classroom for this due Friday.

5th grade: Lesson 13 of Module 6. Watch Knowledge on the Go video and complete the problem set. Due Thursday night. Students also need to have completed lessons 12 and 13 on Zearn by Friday. There will be one assignment on Google Classroom for this due Friday.

ELA

1- LIVE Reading lesson at 12:30 on Big Blue Button! The first five minutes will be socializing and we will begin promptly at 12:35. There will be a recording for students who cannot attend the lesson live. All students should answer the Critical Response Question when they are done.

2- FIFTH GRADE ONLY: ReadWorks. Students should answer the questions after reading the article.

3- Read 30 minutes.

Social Studies

4th Grade: Students will answer the questions on the “social studies check-in” google form to reflect on what they have learned about economics during online learning.

5th Grade: Fifth graders are going to learn about the country after the war by reading , watching, and writing about the Constitutional Convention.

My Availability

I will be available from 9 am to 3:30 pm Monday through Friday on the following platforms:

-Remind (link: https://www.remind.com/join/msjuntune)

-Email (juntuna@dearbornschools.org)

-Teacher Office Hours are today from 3 pm to 3:30 pm on Big Blue Button. Students just need to log into Big Blue Button between 3:00 and 3:30 to get their questions answered.

-I can also set up a phone call with you for the following day if you need support that cannot be fully addressed over Remind or email. Since I will also be focusing on my family during this time, I cannot guarantee a same-day phone call.

Schedule for the Week

Please remember that all work is due Friday. No work will be accepted after due to report card deadlines.

4th Grade Weekly Schedule:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WVkjV91jAvh-3ciTydugIBo5JA_kLDeyHwDwM0zq9TM/edit?usp=sharing

5th Grade Weekly Schedule:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HLexlGzNBP9R3lWKd6C4e9yXvcZ114A6mUiYLDRFe5E/edit?usp=sharing

Message about Battle of the Books

Parents,
If your child participated in Battle of the Books this year, we are asking that you bring back those books when you return your materials on Thursday, June 4th.  Please place the books in a clearly marked plastic bag with your child’s name.  This bag can be placed in the library bin.  We appreciate your support and look forward to lots of reading.  

Math

Nothing new! Students should progress on Zearn.

Fourth graders are being moved up to Lesson 1 of Module 6 this morning and should complete lessons 1 and 2 before Friday.

ELA

1- LIVE Reading lesson at 12:30 on Big Blue Button! The first five minutes will be socializing and we will begin promptly at 12:35. Students will answer discussion questions through speech and typing. There will be a make-up assignment or students who cannot attend the lesson live where they watch a recording and answer the discussion questions on a worksheet.

2- Continue on the Personal Narrative Final Copy. Students should spread this work out over two days. It is due Thursday.

3- Read 30 minutes.

Social Studies

Fourth graders have an assignment about division of labor to complete. They should look through the slideshow and timeline, then use it to answer the questions.

Fifth graders have their assignment from yesterday to finish.

My Availability

I will be available from 9 am to 3:30 pm Monday through Friday on the following platforms:

-Remind (link: https://www.remind.com/join/msjuntune)

-Email (juntuna@dearbornschools.org)

-Teacher Office Hours are on Tuesday and Wednesday this week from 3 pm to 3:30 pm on Big Blue Button. Students just need to log into Big Blue Button between 3:00 and 3:30 to get their questions answered.

-I can also set up a phone call with you for the following day if you need support that cannot be fully addressed over Remind or email. Since I will also be focusing on my family during this time, I cannot guarantee a same-day phone call.

Dear Parents,

As the school year is coming to an end, we wanted to take this time to thank you for all of your continued support and understanding.  None of what we have accomplished could have been possible without the strong partnership we have as a community.  

Our plan this week is to have a day for material pick-up and drop-off.  The day is currently planned for Thursday, June 4th in the afternoon.  In order to maximize safety, we have assigned timings based on your child’s last name.  If your child’s last name begins with the letter A-M, the pick-up/drop-off time will be from 12:00-1:30pm.  If your child’s last name begins with the letter N-Z, the pick-up/drop-off time will be from 1:30-3:00pm.

We ask that students do not accompany adults and that we practice safety precautions at all times.  Please plan on coming with a mask on, practice social distancing and come in to pick up items and leave immediately.  We greatly appreciate your support in keeping everyone safe and healthy.

Below are a few important pieces of information to be aware of:

• Pick-up/Drop-off will occur on the South Playground (near Myrte).  
• There will be an area marked for each classroom teacher.  Student materials have been placed in brown paper bags and extra material in a plastic bag ready for pick up with your child’s name.  There will also be a basket with the teacher’s name there for you to drop off any classroom books/materials.  These items should be placed in a bag, clearly marked with your child’s name.  Please remember, some students have lots of items, so come prepared.  
• In the lot, there will also be bins for you to drop-off:
  • library books
  • musical instruments
  • safety belts
  • service squad pins

Please clearly mark your child’s name on these items by either placing them in a bag or using a piece of masking tape.  

• There will also be a table to pick up your child’s medicine, anything left will be disposed of according to policy.
• If you have been collecting pop tabs, we will also have the box outside to collect those pop-tabs.
• Yearbooks and Spring Pictures have come in, there will be a table set up for those.  5th graders will get their yearbook in their promotion bags.

Since this will all occur outside, we are hoping that the weather cooperates.  If things change, we will let you know.  

Have a wonderful day!

Ms. Tiba