Dig - Eat - Share

Lake Contrary Community Garden

What is a community garden?

A community garden is a garden that all community members: students, parents, families, clubs, etc. volunteer to grow produce that they share with one another.

Why a community garden?

A community garden improves nutrition by bringing fresh fruits and vegetables to the tables of our community members, reduces family food budgets, and improves the environment.

How will the garden improve the education of Lake Contrary students?

It allows the students of Lake Contrary Elementary to have authentic learning experiences in relation to plant life cycles, food webs, weather cycles, and further develops vocabulary and background knowledge. Because this is true science inquiry, students learn all aspects of planning a garden using their math and critical thinking skills.

Volunteer

Families, organizations, offices, and clubs are welcome to volunteer in our Lake Contrary Community Garden. Simply contact our school to sign up for one week of  “weed and water”. Nona Miller, Family Involvement Coordinator or Jasmine Briedwell, Principal: (816) 671-4240

Will I have enough time to volunteer?

 

Yes! When you sign up with your family or organization, you only commit to one week of weeding and watering. One week of work equals a whole season of fresh food!

 

A Note from Mrs. Collins:

CELEBRATE BETTER HEARING AND SPEECH MONTH

Since 1927, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association has celebrated Better Hearing and Speech Month each May to raise public awareness of speech and language disorders that affect 14 million Americans.

Speech and language disorders can take many forms and can limit academic achievement and social adjustment. An individual may be born with a speech or language disorder, or it may be caused by accidental injury or illness.

Most people with speech and language problems can be helped by a speech-language pathologist (SLP). Even if the problem cannot be eliminated, SLPs can teach people with speech and language problems strategies to help them cope. People may not fully regain their capacity to speak and understand, but a speech-language pathologist can help them achieve their highest potential.

Speech-language pathologists are the professionals who treat all types of speech, language, and related disorders. They hold at least a master’s degree and are certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Speech-language pathologists work in schools, private practice, hospitals, clinics, and other health and education settings.

The St. Joseph Public School District has SLPs that evaluate and treat communication disorders that affect academic learning.  This service is offered for children age 3 through high school.  If you have concerns regarding your child’s development, please contact Lake Contrary Elementary’s SLP, Kayla Collins, at (816) 671-4240 or kayla.collins@sjsd.k12.mo.us.

Reminder of PACT meeting:

http://www.pactforsjsd.com/

What are they teaching kids these days?

Have you ever wondered what they are teaching students in schools today? At Lake Contrary we teach students non-fiction writing during writer's workshop. Writer's workshop is a lesson model for teaching students to write. It is made up of three parts: mini-lesson, independent writing, and author share.

The mini-lesson is a 10-20 minute lesson on a specific objective in writing. This may be grammar, the craft of writing, editing skills, or figurative language. There are many objectives a teacher covers and varies with the writing genre (such a poetry, memoir, research report, etc.) Independent writing is when students pre-write, write, research, edit or revise their paper. The teacher conferences with students one-on-one, takes anecdotal notes, or meets with small groups about their drafts. Author share concludes the lessons and provides students time to share and give feedback on the latest version of their writing.

Here is an example of a 1st grade non-fiction writing piece:

This student began by writing a table of contents for her self selected topic, butterflies. Our first graders were encouraged to ask questions about their topic, research using a plethora of resources, and answer the questions in their book.

Here the student writes the heading and sentence to answer her guiding question.

Notice in the picture the use of bolded words, labels, and illustrations. Just like real non-fiction books!

Finally, the student concludes with her glossary.

When completed you will fine finished works along with rough drafts, rubrics, anchor charts, and objectives posted in our hallways. Students love to share their writing with fellow students, teachers, and parents!

Meet Mrs. Gillies

 Mrs. Gillies is our preschool teacher for high intensity/autism students. Mrs. Gillies' classroom is warm, welcoming and safe for all learners. She teaches basic preschool objectives along with learning to learn skills.

Mrs. Gillies graduated from NWMSU in the spring 2009 with a teaching degree in Elementary and Early Childhood Special Education. She is currently enrolled at MWSU in their Masters of Applied ScienceProgram with an emphasis in Autism. Becky has grown up in the St. Joseph Area and plans to raise a family and grow old here.  

We are so very lucky to have Mrs. Gillies teach at Lake Contrary! Her passion for early childhood education and dedication to her students make her a valuable member of our team.