Monday -PE | Tuesday -O&A to Nana Cardoons | Wednesday -ART | Thursday | Friday No study-hall before school, Carol subbing. -ART |
9/9--Outdoor School (ODS) paperwork due
9/14--Picture Day --paperwork went home on Friday the 9th
9/26--ODS luggage drop off (time TBA)
9/27-9/30 -- ODS Magruder
Project
We took time this week to discuss some of the interesting abilities of water. Specifically we addressed cohesion, adhesion, surface tension and capillary action. I also let tables debate a model of how water is distributed. They were given 1000mL of water and had to consider how much of that would be salt water, how much would be trapped in ice, underground or too polluted for us to use. We'll find out the real amounts early this week.
This early in the year a lot of our project time is devoted to learning how to be together as a community. We had living discussions during our poster creation of how what it means to be a good steward, scholar and citizen. And, we debated how a court of law would handle cases of protecting students rights. I look forward to us finalizing our classroom expectations this week.
Ask your child what allows a paperclip to look like it can float on water?
Listen to your child discuss what he/she makes a strong classroom.
Extend the learning by enjoying local water recreation areas!
Literacy
Merlins continued their work on their Micrography self-portraits. They are turning out beautiful! We'll uncap the sharpies and put the final layer, ink, on this upcoming week! I look forward to putting them up for display. We continue reading Flush to learn what's going on the with the "Coral Queen" and water pollution. I am hoping to finish up reading assessments this week, so that we can get to our normal flow of reading workshop: read aloud with lesson and then applying that lesson to a book being read by the student.
Ask why Noah's dad sunk the "Coral Queen?"
Listen to your student explain the micrography self portrait.
Extend the learning by reading a book together as a family that deals with an environmental issue.
6th Grade Math
I enjoyed getting to know this group of 6th graders, as a team of mathematicians. We played some fun games to get our brains revved up. And, table groups built graphs so we could learn more about how we each perceive math. We also spent part of each math period taking a pre-assessment. I'm excited to get started with our first unit next week. Please pay attention to the homework--it's gonna start up this week. I am hoping your student can show you some of the resources and features to be aware of!
Ask what strategies did you use when playing "Race to 101."
Listen to your student explain the graphing activity we did in class.
Extend the learning by having your student teach you the math games we played in class. Then, play with them!
5th Grade math
I am really excited about this group of mathematicians. A math interest and attitude survey last week revealed that, for the most part, this group enjoys the challenge that math can bring, understands the value of learning math, and is also excited about what is ahead for 5th grade. We also began to get to know one another through team building and a "math about me" project. Towards the end of the week, 5th grade mathematicians began a fairly lengthy baseline assessment. We will use the start of this week to complete these.
5th grade will have a separate 1inch binder for math that we will call the math notebook. This binder will store lesson notes, applied practice and work at home, and over the year, will essentially become a resource mathematicians will use and refer to. My plan is to have these notebooks in students hands by mid-week, however, this will depend on where 5th graders are with the baseline assessment.
This week's homework will include math work at home. Check your child's agenda and the red communication folder (until students get the math notebook) for nightly math homework. Watch the level 3 website homepage for updates.
ASK What are you most looking forward to as a 5th grade mathematician? Most nervous about?
LISTEN to your 5th grader go over homework with you.
EXTEND the LEARNING by playing "What's the Number" or "Digit Place" with your 5th grader.