Parent/Guardian Connection
Dear Parent or Guardian:
Hello, my name is Rebekah Diana and I am your son or daughter’s teacher at school. As we begin a new school year, I look forward to getting acquainted with you and your child. I anticipate great things happening in our classroom and I would like to give you a glimpse of what that will look like.
One of the great benefits of a Social Studies class is that when your child is successful in the class, he or she is becoming an informed and engaged member of our community. My overarching goal for this class is ensuring just that. Part of allowing this to happen includes valuing and pursuing diversity in the classroom. As we live in a multicultural and democratic society, I consider it vital that students acquire knowledge and skills that equip them to engage it. Every student is welcome in my classroom and encouraged to share his or her thoughts or questions about what we are learning. I will work to achieve valued diversity by creating and maintaining classroom norms that honor students’ similarities and differences, teaching content that is inclusive of multiple perspectives, and having students work with peers on learning activities and lead discussions.
Another way your child becomes an engaged member of our community is by having knowledge as well as skill in articulating that knowledge. I will help your child acquire deep content learning and improve skills in writing, reading, and speaking. In order to achieve this for all students, daily lessons are multidimensional to engage all types of learners; elements of my instruction include audio-visual learning, making content relevant to students through practical application, and the other elements listed in the above paragraph. In addition, I use teaching methods that are proven to activate critical thinking, accommodate language needs, and allow for meaningful understanding of Social Studies topics. Some of these methods include simulations of actual events, debates, inquiry (students analyze and interpret historical data), pairing text with images, vocabulary building, and civil discussion.
In order for me to know that your son or daughter is growing in my classroom, I use a variety of techniques to monitor learning progress. As students work on class activities, I assess whether they achieve a lesson’s learning objectives by monitoring discussions between students, having students reflect on their learning orally and in writing, and holding de-briefs. When I see that there is general lack of comprehension among most or all students I know that it is because of the way I instructed the lesson; I then revise my methods and teach the topic again. When I see that there is lack of comprehension among a few students, I work with them one-on-one during class and before/after school to ask guiding questions that lead to better understanding. I also provide written and oral feedback on assignments that guides students to improve understanding and build skills in analysis, evaluation, and argumentation. If a student does not perform well on a major assignment (e.g, paper), he or she may redo it for another chance to improve his or her learning and grade.
My final priority is including you as parents or guardians in the development of your son or daughter. You know your child best and I welcome your insight into helping him or her achieve. I will contact you throughout the year to let you know how your child is doing (yes, even when things are going well!) and to seek your advice in continuing to support your son or daughter's education. You are welcome to join or observe the class as well, and staff in the front office can help you obtain permission to visit my classroom.
Your son or daughter has been given the class syllabus outlining my expectations for the semester, as well as my grading policy, classroom procedures, and materials needed for the course. I encourage you to review the information with your son or daughter and add your signature.
Together we will make this a successful learning experience for your child. Thank you in advance for working with me. Should you feel the need to get in touch, please feel free to contact me and I will get back to you within a few days.
Sincerely,
Rebekah Diana
Social Studies Teacher
Olympia High School
Hello, my name is Rebekah Diana and I am your son or daughter’s teacher at school. As we begin a new school year, I look forward to getting acquainted with you and your child. I anticipate great things happening in our classroom and I would like to give you a glimpse of what that will look like.
One of the great benefits of a Social Studies class is that when your child is successful in the class, he or she is becoming an informed and engaged member of our community. My overarching goal for this class is ensuring just that. Part of allowing this to happen includes valuing and pursuing diversity in the classroom. As we live in a multicultural and democratic society, I consider it vital that students acquire knowledge and skills that equip them to engage it. Every student is welcome in my classroom and encouraged to share his or her thoughts or questions about what we are learning. I will work to achieve valued diversity by creating and maintaining classroom norms that honor students’ similarities and differences, teaching content that is inclusive of multiple perspectives, and having students work with peers on learning activities and lead discussions.
Another way your child becomes an engaged member of our community is by having knowledge as well as skill in articulating that knowledge. I will help your child acquire deep content learning and improve skills in writing, reading, and speaking. In order to achieve this for all students, daily lessons are multidimensional to engage all types of learners; elements of my instruction include audio-visual learning, making content relevant to students through practical application, and the other elements listed in the above paragraph. In addition, I use teaching methods that are proven to activate critical thinking, accommodate language needs, and allow for meaningful understanding of Social Studies topics. Some of these methods include simulations of actual events, debates, inquiry (students analyze and interpret historical data), pairing text with images, vocabulary building, and civil discussion.
In order for me to know that your son or daughter is growing in my classroom, I use a variety of techniques to monitor learning progress. As students work on class activities, I assess whether they achieve a lesson’s learning objectives by monitoring discussions between students, having students reflect on their learning orally and in writing, and holding de-briefs. When I see that there is general lack of comprehension among most or all students I know that it is because of the way I instructed the lesson; I then revise my methods and teach the topic again. When I see that there is lack of comprehension among a few students, I work with them one-on-one during class and before/after school to ask guiding questions that lead to better understanding. I also provide written and oral feedback on assignments that guides students to improve understanding and build skills in analysis, evaluation, and argumentation. If a student does not perform well on a major assignment (e.g, paper), he or she may redo it for another chance to improve his or her learning and grade.
My final priority is including you as parents or guardians in the development of your son or daughter. You know your child best and I welcome your insight into helping him or her achieve. I will contact you throughout the year to let you know how your child is doing (yes, even when things are going well!) and to seek your advice in continuing to support your son or daughter's education. You are welcome to join or observe the class as well, and staff in the front office can help you obtain permission to visit my classroom.
Your son or daughter has been given the class syllabus outlining my expectations for the semester, as well as my grading policy, classroom procedures, and materials needed for the course. I encourage you to review the information with your son or daughter and add your signature.
Together we will make this a successful learning experience for your child. Thank you in advance for working with me. Should you feel the need to get in touch, please feel free to contact me and I will get back to you within a few days.
Sincerely,
Rebekah Diana
Social Studies Teacher
Olympia High School