Shallowford Falls Classroom Communication

Mrs. Young
Week of August 24, 2020

Classroom Information:
• Small Group Sessions: We will begin meeting with small groups for guided reading, math, and writing
instruction next week. We will follow this new schedule each week from now on. If your child sees
another teacher for specialized services, please make sure you communicate with that teacher for
their meeting times. Look for a follow-up email this afternoon from Ms. Ross or me with your child’s
specific small group information and assessment data from the past two weeks.
o Please note that Ms. Ross and I will no longer be able to stay in Zoom sessions after class to
answer questions beginning next week as we will be in small group sessions after ELA and Math
each day.
o Next week, we will help students take the Math & ELA Student Knowledge Inventory (SKI)
assessments during their math & reading small group sessions. The SKI is an online assessment
that students will take in CTLS. It is student-paced, so Ms. Ross and I will help students get
started then let them work quietly on their own.

• Please complete this digital information form if you have not already done so. Thank you!

• Checking Work & Feedback: We are using various digital tools for learning this year, and I I’d like to
share how you can see your child’s progress with each learning app/website:
o Join Seesaw: https://app.seesaw.me/s/733-109-533
o Flipgrid: login as your student and use links posted in CTLS
o BrainPOP: login as your student and check the dashboard
o Prodigy, Raz-Kids, & Epic: look for parent invite email

• Zoom Features: Many of us are still learning all of the features of Zoom. I would like to share a
couple of helpful tips I’ve found recently that might help you and your child.
o Setting a virtual background: This is not necessary for our digital sessions, but some parents
find this feature helpful when there are multiple kids learning in one room. Click here to see
step-by-step instructions for setting up a virtual background.
o Reaction tools and raise hand button: I have gone over how to use the reaction tools and raise
hand button in class with the kids, but depending on the device the buttons are located in
different spots. These tools are especially helpful for students to react to lessons quickly
and silently. They are especially helpful when the internet connection is low for students or
teachers causing lags in video. I am still able to see the reaction icons from students even if
their camera is not on.
▪ Reaction tools
▪ Raise hand button
o Mute button: The kids are getting really good at muting and unmuting themselves efficiently.
Students can always click on the microphone icon to mute or unmute themselves during a class.
One tip that I recently learned is students on laptops or desktops can also hold the space bar
down to unmute themselves. When they release the space bar they will return to mute.

• Library Books: You can reserve library books online and pick them up at the drive thru pickup events!
Watch this video to see how to reserve a library book for pickup.

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 Curriculum Update and How to Help Your Student at Home

Subject Focus for the Week How Parents can help at home

Math Read and write numbers in ▪ Discuss the different ways we

standard form and base ten read and write numbers.
form, use base ten blocks to build ▪ Play Prodigy, Freckle, or
numbers Dreambox by logging onto
Clever.
Reading Characters and character traits ▪ Read together and discuss the
in fiction traits of each character in
the story. Discuss your
opinion of the character and
their character traits.
▪ Read books from the Social
Emotional Learning collection
on Epic
Phonics C vs. K ▪ Review the phonics packet
with your child. Use the
scavenger hunt page & look
for c vs. k examples in books
you are reading at home.
Writing Writing process, brainstorming ▪ Keep a journal: write about
writing topics books you’ve read, dreams,
make up stories, reflect on
your day
Science States of matter and properties ▪ Review the matter videos on
of matter BrainPOP Jr.
▪ Identify different states of
matter in the kitchen. Then
cook something together and
discuss how some food
changes state (ex: butter
melts). Discuss which changes
are reversible or irreversible.

School News:
Mission: Relationships, Rigor, and Relevance for All
Vision: A school of excellence where learners reach their potential.

• Tech Support for CTLS: Cobb has set up a help desk for CTLS. Use the following contacts if you need
support.
o Parents should use the following email and or phone number.
▪ Parent.Support@cobbk12.org
▪ Phone: 770-426-3330
o Students should use the following e-mail if they need support.
▪ Student.Support@cobbk12.org

• Labor Day Holiday: No school/virtual sessions will take place on September 7, 2020. Enjoy your
holiday weekend.

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▪ Foundation and PTA: Please take time to join both of these organizations. Information can be found
on the SFE website.

▪ Counselor Survey: The counseling team has created a brief survey for parents. This five-minute
survey will be used to help the counselors plan lessons and topics that will be the most relevant and
meaningful for your students. We value your insight as parents, and we appreciate your input. Here is
the link: bit.ly/SFES_Counselor_Survey. Thank you!

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