Monday PE | Tuesday OMSI O&A bring rain coat--we'll be outside | Wednesday ART | Thursday ELC Geek Out | Friday ART |
Important Dates
| Volunteer Opportunities |
*Students will have math, reading & spelling homework this week. Obtaining a parent signature is part of homework.
Goal reflection is due by Friday--be sure to review your child's Google document, specifically look over Literacy goals! Do the goals look good to you? What do I still need to provide you with?
Winter Party Reflections
I will admit I was quite preoccupied with the All School Meeting performance and teaching in general to do an adequate job of addressing social issues of the Winter Party. A lot of the things that came up happened at break or under my radar, but I do know there were many distracted kiddos this week dealing with excitement and anxiety of the upcoming party. I realize talking about relationships and going to social events at this age (and as kids get older) is filled with teachable moments. Erin and I are planning some lessons to address some issues that came up this week because of the Winter Party (how to express your identity, gender stereotypes and healthy relationships). This is always a hard line to walk as a teacher because the class is filled with 27 kids-- all at different developmental stages. You know your kiddo best and I am sure you already had plenty of conversations about these things with your kiddo, if you saw the anxiety / excitement surface.
Project
Wow! I was so thrilled with the Merlins performance of their water drop skit and information presentation on Friday. The camaraderie and effort was stellar! And, what a great review for their watershed test (secret word) that will happen a few days before winter break. Parents you could help your child already start studying the test by reviewing--- how a drop of water travels in our watershed (including the specific names bodies of water and places that are involved in our water treatment process. Other topics will include:
-how to measure and analyze water quality results
-how to restore an environment to improve water quality
-water cycle
-ways to protect our watershed and conserve water
-how weather moves across Oregon
Literacy
The editorials are coming along! At this point, Merlins have written their introduction, and their 1st and 2nd body paragraphs. This week will write our 3rd body paragraph and conclusion. I have been providing a lot of feedback along the way and I have a few more kiddos to provide comments to this weekend. As a class, we started a new read aloud called Gossamer which is within fantasy genre, but deals with some pretty heavy realistic topics. It's a great book but will also provide a reference for when we start writing our own fantasies after we get back from winter break.
Ask what are the parts of a well written paragraph?
Talk about the heavy content that is introduced in Gossamer.
Extend the learning to read a fantasy as a family and notice traits that belong to that genre.
6th Grade Math
We finished the week wrapping up the lesson of Block 4, which look at adding and subtracting fractions and mixed numbers. A great way to apply those skills is to look at geometry and specifically finding the perimeter of polygons.
Ask how do you find the perimeter of a polygon?
Talk about the steps to subtracting 3 1/3 - 7/8 (notice how you can't subtract 1/3 - 7/8 without borrowing)
Extend the learning to finding perimeters of items in your home.
5th Grade Math
Fifth graders worked hard on their decimal tests this past week. Some felt really disappointed with their scores, but I reminded them that tests are a great way to celebrate what you know and motivate yourself to work harder for the concepts that still have you stuck. Students will be bringing tests home on Monday. Signed tests, corrections and retakes are due Friday!
Ask your child to share a few of the problems they are proud of getting right.
Talk about how to make corrections and learn from mistakes! Remember to use the correction sheet.
Encourage them to take their time on the retake.