JULIA ALARCON

Queridos Padres:                                              10/18/02

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I am excited for the opportunity to meet with you during parent-teacher conferences. Along with comparing notes
on your child's progress, we will have information about what celebrations and school work are ahead of us.

In Social Studies we will study simultaneously, countries, states and cities. In second grade children have a hard
time with these concepts, so I have planned a lot of activities that will aid the understanding of how the world is
divided.

For instance, you can take the opportunity to schedule a time to do a presentation on a visit to a place in Anchorage.
This city is the focal point of Social Studies for second grade. Visit a historical site, a recreational place, a particular
neighborhood, a landmark, or a public building and help your child share with the class. Each child will be required
to do two presentations during the year. It is always fun to present what you have learned as a visitor. Your role,
as a parent will be to assist, so your child can shine in front of his peers. The presentation will be outstanding if it
has a personal connection to it. Let's say, your child discuss the MacDonald Recreational Center where he/she
practices figure skating. We will love to hear about his/hers growth in the sport. That is right! You can do a place in
the Anchorage vicinity. Let me know if you need ideas. Think fun, togetherness and rewarding as you plan and
present with your child.

We will study the symbols of each of the states in the United States. Some of these symbols will include state's
abbreviation, flower, animal, flag, etc. We will also study a little about the states' economy, food, local dances if
any, and its geography. We will model the study with AK. So Alaska is taken. If you have a preferred state we will
assign it, if there is only one request for it. If two children or more want the same state, we will cast lots.

During our Thanksgiving Feast and end-of the year celebration, we will small play and sing songs in Spanish from
around the world. This will be an opportunity to take a "cultural peak" to nations, tongues and people. Ethnic food
will be welcome. We will let you about the dates for this events. We will have an on going study about Chile, and
about Colombia with Mrs. Bubna, our sub. If you want to feature a state or a country, please let us know.

That is all for now! See you soon!

Sinceramente,

Señorita Alarcón