Dear Family,

For the next several weeks, our class will be studying light and shadows. We will be discussing the question “What is light?” We will read a Native American myth that tells how light came into the world. We will study what light is and how it behaves. We will read a story about a blind man who enjoys the warmth of sunlight and the cool of shade. Finally, we will read about a photographer who exposed people to the poverty and harsh working conditions of the early 1900s.

You can help your child learn more about light and shadows. Talk to your child about the importance of sunlight to life on Earth. You may want to discuss:

• how the sun heats the Earth to a temperature that can sustain life

• how plants use sunlight to produce their own food during photosynthesis

• how sunlight can be stored as an energy source using solar panels

Also talk to your child about myths and stories from other cultures that tell how light came into the world. You can look up Greek myths, Native American myths, or myths and stories from another culture you choose. Discussing these stories will help your child better understand the importance of light to the survival of life on our planet.

In this unit students will practice descriptive writing. This type of writing describes things, or tells what things look, sound, feel, smell, or taste like. Students will practice describing a character, an object, a place, and an experience. At the end of the unit, they will write a descriptive essay. You can help by asking your child to describe the things and people around him or her. Encourage your child to tell about interesting events and experiences in detail.

As part of this unit, students will play a description guessing game. You can help by having your child describe objects in your home to you in detail and having you guess what they are.

At the end of the unit, your child may work alone or with other students on a project. Your child may need to search the Internet or find information at the library to do this project. I am also encouraging your child to read other books about light and shadows. Ask your child to talk with you about the school project he or she is doing and the additional books he or she is reading for this unit.

Thank you for helping us with our unit about light and shadows.

Sincerely,

ELVIRA GINIYATOVA

Teacher