Monday PE | Tuesday ART In & About with Guest Speaker | Wednesday ART | Thursday Soccer Poetry Night 5:30-6:30 6:30-7:30 | Friday ASM--Dress Like Your Favorite Character |
Reading: Read the newsletter Monday night. Read a book of your choice the other nights. Make sure to record the book in your agenda.
Math: Check agenda or website, but there is daily math homework.
Writing: Spelling! We are working on a new writing assignment--called Council of All Beings. Some kiddos may choose to or need to work on this at home. For Merlins it will be due Friday, Dec. 15th (no work time on that day.)
- Dress Like Your Favorite Character for the ASM-- Friday, December 8th
- Poetry Night -- December 7th, 2 sessions 1 from 5:30-6:30 and 6:30-7:30 @ school see below
- Sustainability Summit --December 14th, 2:20-3:20 @ school
Our project work of last week focused on narrowing down sustainability concepts in Forest Grove and how students wanted to present their work. Kids are choosing areas in agriculture, wildlife & watershed or energy & transportation and designing sustainable solutions in those areas. We heard from John Hayes who helped us understand ways to present ideas that will be persuasive for all stakeholders.
Ask what's your focus for the Sustainability Symposium?
Talk about ways to make your kiddos idea sound persuasive.
Extend the learning by finding sustainable solutions in your family's home or behaviors.
Literacy
Kids have finished up their literature circle book and are now ready to go back and look at theme and wrap up the final thoughts of their nature adventure. Great work! In writing we started a new assignment called Council of All Beings where students choose the perspective of something from the natural world, plant, animal or physical feature. They give that being a voice, so that we can build understanding for how nature views the world and its current state. For this Thursday's poetry night please Bring Your Own Mug (BYOM) to enjoy a hot beverage. By bringing your own mug, you leave less for us to clean up and 0 waste! Sustainability in action!
Ask what being did you choose?
Talk about the theme of their lit circle book.
Extend the learning by thinking of alternative perspectives in current events or disagreements.
6th Grade Math
I am finding it more tricky to write blips for the math portion of the newsletter, because this group has really been amazing in their ability to be focused on the level of work that fits them. So, each table group is essentially working at their own pace and at a different place than the table next to them. We've got kids testing on fraction essentials like greatest common factor, others learning the algorithm for multiplying fractions and so-on. Be sure to commend your kiddo for their hard work. You can help me keep them on track by playing an active role in ensuring they are doing homework every night (unless they are testing) and sticking to our routines. Be sure to ask me, if they seemed lost or confused.
Ask what content are you currently working on in math?
Talk about the responsibility that comes with working at your own pace.
Extend the learning by making the content your child is learning a part of every conversations.
5th Grade Math
This week, students explored different models that mathematicians use to think about fractions. We dabbled on the number line, discussed pizza slices, and looked at how grid models can help us think about splitting up a cake. We also reviewed some important fraction knowledge, including adding like denominators and finding equivalent fractions using the "Fundamental Fact of Equivalent Fractions."
Ask what if FFEF? What fractions are equivalent to 1/3? (our mystery word is an acronym: FFEF)
Talk about which is larger, 2/3 or 3/4? How can you prove it?
Extend the learning by looking at how fractions are used in your life, such as baking or sports