Tuesday In and About: Geek Out work time | Wednesday ART | Thursday -Geek Out -Make Up PE -Tree House -Celebrations of Learning 5-630 | Friday ART -EdTPA form due |
- Monday, 2/18 - President's Day, no school.
- Thursday, 2/21 - Celebration of Learning, 5-6:30. Level 3 will share our science fair!
- April 1st - Returning Student Form due to secure your current student's spot for next school year.
Students will have math homework, reading and spelling this week, as well as an online goal reflection (math) to share with you. Additionally, Hilary needs families to sign a document giving consent for her to video tape in the class. It's due Friday, for kids to earn a classroom economy bonus.
Project
We enjoyed discussing and sharing acts of kindness last week. Our big undertaking was to show our gratitude for our school by acknowledging the gifts each individual brings to our community. And, Level 3 cleaned our own room and set out a picnic for our custodial staff. It was adorable and brought tears to the eyes of crew that picks up after us every day!
For science our focus was on the Law of Conservation of Mass. To understand this concept students were allowed to conduct experiments with chemical reactions to see how mass was conserved. And, if mass changed could the students explain why. Cool stuff!
Ask, how can you show kindness each and everyday?
Talk about the law of conservation of mass experiment.
Extend the learning to creating a kindness project!
Literacy
This crew of readers! Hilary and I are jaws open, stopping in our tracks as these kiddos discuss Tuck Everlasting. To be serious they are helping me see things about the story I have missed in years past. And, I couldn't be happier at how they appreciate this style of writing. If you haven't read this story since you were a kid, I encourage you pick it up and read it again. For writing, we continue to challenge ourselves with writing techniques to make our fantasies beautiful. For instance, we discussed pacing and how we need to stretch out the heart of the story and get rid of scenes (especially dialogue) that doesn't add to our writing. We also looked at how to make our verbs stronger and adding adverbs (secret word) to add sensory detail. So much to do! Our rough drafts for the fantasy should be done Friday, the 22nd. Then, we'll have two weeks of revising and editing.
Ask, what are some techniques Natalee uses in Tuck that amaze you?
Talk about how your student is implementing our mini-lessons from writing.
Extend the learning to read and discuss as a family.
6th Grade Math
We had a tough week putting all of our learning into the Block 6 test. And, it was pretty obvious students who didn't do homework really struggled. And, many who did homework still found the test hard, but were proficient. If you aren't able to support your student with math homework, please contact me, so we can set up a system to provide them with more support. Corrections, retake and signature will be due by Friday.
Ask what was the hardest part of the test for you?
Talk about strategies for when you struggle with the homework or concepts.
Extend the learning by seeing how surface area and volume are related.
5th Grade Math
How do you picture a division problem in your head? How are division and multiplication related? We started the week with a division review, then played with breaking down big division problems into smaller pieces. We also continued to use logic, rounding and division to choose between different shopping deals. In challenge group, students had a math competition involving oven mitts!
Ask, which shirt deal is better: 10% off $20 or buy one for $29.99, get one free? Does it depend?
Practice division facts together!
Extend the learning by talking about real-life shopping decisions you make.