Oct 23 | LIFE Parent Newsletter

Parents can cultivate independence by offering manageable daily choices. Allowing your child to select their own clothing, choose between two snack options, pick their recreational activities, select books, or decide how they take breaks gives them a sense of control. Making these small decisions teaches students valuable lessons about personal responsibility and natural consequences in a safe, supportive environment.

The ultimate goal of self-advocacy is for students to feel equipped to speak up for themselves across various situations—from participating in classroom discussions to actively leading their own IEP meetings. To help students build this lifelong skill, consider these practical strategies at home and in the classroom:

• Encourage Everyday Communication: Create regular opportunities for children to express their preferences, ask questions, and practice self-representation.

• Praise Assertiveness: Notice and celebrate every effort your child makes toward problem-solving, expressing a need, or standing up for themselves.

• Build Leadership Opportunities: Assign age-appropriate leadership roles at home and in school to foster confidence and initiative.

• Teach Accommodation Needs: Help students understand their unique learning strengths and practice expressing what accommodations help them succeed.

• Practice Disclosing Needs: Role-play simple ways for students to discuss their disability or support needs in different settings, including school, church, and community activities.

• Encourage Classroom Voice: Motivate self-advocates to speak up, share ideas, and participate actively in class activities.

By celebrating every effort and offering consistent practice, we help students recognize that their voice matters. Every small choice today builds the self-advocacy skills they need for tomorrow!

Event Schedule

1. Morning Exploration (9:00 AM – 11:50 AM)

Students will explore five 30-minute fall-themed lessons led by our teachers.

2. Personalized Learning Choice Board (1:00 PM – 2:00 PM)

Following lunch, students will dive into a personalized learning assignment! Working within Canvas, students will select an activity from our interactive Fall Choice Board to showcase their creativity and explore subjects that interest them.

3. Fall Showcase (2:00 PM)

To wrap up the day, students will return to Zoom at 2:00 PM to share their special creations with peers and teachers.

🎃 MORNING EXPLORATION: FAMILY SUPPLY LIST 🍂🎃

Pumpkin Patch Dirt Pudding Cups

• 8 clear plastic cups

• Leaf sprinkles

• Heavy copy paper or cardstock

• Scotch tape

• Toothpicks

🍁 Fall-Themed Art: Art From Nature!

• Paper, construction paper, or a paper bag

• Natural materials such as leaves, twigs, small stones, pinecones, pine straw, or grass

• Glue or tape

Students who do not have these materials can complete their artwork digitally in Nearpod.

To help students complete the Personalized Learning Choice Board activities, Learning Coaches can gather the following materials and items based on the selected activity:

Nature & Outdoor Craft Supplies

• Fall items from nature: Twigs, leaves, acorns, small stones, or pinecones (for Fall Music, Fall Nature Art, and Thankful Tree)

General Art & Craft Supplies

• Paper & Cardstock: Construction paper, plain drawing paper, or cardstock (for Pumpkin Challenge, Perfect Fall Day, Thankful Tree, and Create a Character)

• Coloring Tools: Crayons, colored pencils, markers, or paints

• Adhesives & Tools: Glue, glue sticks, tape, and safety scissors

• Recycled/Craft Materials: String, rubber bands, empty containers, or cardboard tubes (useful for building instruments for Fall Music)

Writing & Storytelling Supplies

• Pencils & Notebook Paper: For writing descriptions, outfits, plans, or stories (for Perfect Fall Day and Create a Character)

Household Items

• Snack Ingredients: Simple fall ingredients or household snack items (for Fall Recipe)

• Kitchen Tools: Basic, child-safe prep tools or writing utensils/paper to draft a recipe

• Household Objects: Everyday items around the home in fall colors—red, orange, yellow, brown, or green (for Fall I-Spy)

• Oct 30: Virtual Curriculum-Based Instruction
• Nov 9 & 10: Canvas Log In Days
• Nov 11: Enhanced Learning Day
• Nov 12: New Unit!
• Nov 13: World Kindness Day Reading Event
• Nov 23 - 27: Thanksgiving Break

If you speak another language, please click '"Translate" to choose the appropriate language.

**If you speak another language, language assistance services are available free of charge. Please email Translation Services at translations@georgiacyber.org to request.**