Ms.

Evans Social Studies Unit Newsletter Spring 2014

This unit we are studying

Day by Day
Day 1: Pre-Test on material Day 2: What are Ancient Contributions? Day 3: Introduction to China/Geography Day 4: Architecture The Great Wall Day 5: Written Language Characters & Symbols Day 6: Inventions Silk and Cloth Day 7: Inventions Kites and the Compass Day 8: Fireworks & the Chinese New Year T.A. Pals coming today for a craft Day 9: Day of Review with Chinese food! Day 10: Post Test (for a grade)

Ancient China
This is one of the most exciting units we will study this 9 weeks! We will be learning about many cultural aspects of Ancient China and how they connect to our lives today. Most importantly, we will be learning about the contributions of Ancient China to our world today.

Tip for Home

Order in Chinese or go to a Chinese restaurant. Start a conversation about other contributions the Chinese have given us in addition to food.

T.A. Pal Visit Your childs T.A. Pal will be coming to school on Day 8 of the unit to create dragon masks that represent the Chinese New Year celebration. SOL Standard 2.1 The student will explain how the contributions of ancient China and Egypt have influenced the present world in terms of architecture, inventions, the calendar, and written language. Created by Ashley Magee Graphics ThistleGirlDesigns.com

Any Food in the Classroom? On the day of the post test, I will be ordering fried rice and orange chicken for the children to eat in celebration of completing the unit. If you have any questions or concerns about this day, please either call or send a note so that I can speak with you as soon as possible. Thank you!

What types of activities?

* Coming up with a contribution that he or she can do at home or at school (Day 2) * Take a virtual tour of The Great Wall (Day 4) * Learn a song called Ancient China to the tune of Three Blind Mice (Day 5) * Creating our own Chinese characters (Day 5) * Going outside at recess to fly a kite (Day 7) * Crafting our own Chinese New Year dragon masks (Day 8)

Vocabulary List
1. ancient 2. contribution 3. architecture 7. kite 8. Great Wall 9. silk 10. cloth 11. fireworks 12. New Year

Books
Here are some books that follow the theme of this unit: 1. Eyes of the Dragon by Margaret Leaf 2. You Wouldnt Want to Work on the Great Wall of China: Defenses Youd Rather Not Build by Jacqueline Morley and David Salariya 3. Bellas Chinese New Year by Stacey Zolt Hara

4. character 5. invention 6. compass

Please feel free to contact me at any time, for any reason! Ms. Jennifer Evans Ottobine Elementary School jle005@eagles.bridgewater.edu 540-879-2091