Monday PE | Tuesday O&A to Nana Cardoons - be prepared for some wet weather | Wednesday -ART -Buddy Science with Level 1 | Thursday | Friday ART |
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We continue to think as engineers as we've started to look at our first sustainable system: agriculture. One way to kick off the discussion of sustainability was to refer to the video of the person who invented an edible to-go spoon. Turns out his product was good for people, the environment and the economy.In the agriculture portion. We also defined the word "producer" and "photosynthesis" which are important parts to the agriculture system.
Last week we focused on active listening and why listening is a form of respect. We often talk about listening not just with our ears, but with our eyes and heart as well. We played some listening games and practiced ways to show that we are listening: make eye contact, ask questions, repeat what's been said in our own words. Practice this at home! :) Because we didn't have a formal O&A this week and the weather was nice, we took an hour to play soccer at Pacific on Thursday. It lends itself to great team-building, taking risks, and showing positivity towards effort. It was a huge success!
Ask what is a producer?
Listen to how our classroom economy system works.
Extend the learning by taking time to practice our active listening strategies.
6th Grade Math
The 6th graders are off to start a great trend for the year. I appreciate the attentiveness they have for lessons and their quiet collaboration during work time. This week we looked at our first block, dealing with decimals. The block spans place value, rounding decimals, comparing and ordering them as well estimating and reviewing how to add and subtract decimals. We'll actually get into our first test by the end of next week. Be on the lookout for their quizzes which help me see how kids are doing with the content of each lesson.
Ask, how would you round 3.2899 to the nearest thousandth?
Listen to your mathematician explain our routines for math class.
Extend the learning by looking at how decimals are used in our everyday life.
5th Grade Math
The fifth grade math crew is proving to be excellent at creative problem-solving! This week, students completed the first assessment of the year and shared strategies for finding as many boxes as possible with a volume of 24 cubic units. We will expand on the project this week by looking at multiples, surface area and learning a new game.
Ask, which are your multiplication "focus facts" this week? Can I help you practice them?
Listen to your mathematician explain how to find the volume of a rectangular prism.
Extend the learning by trying this week's challenge problem. On Monday, your mathematician will bring home a "challenge" problem. This extra worksheet is completely optional, but intended to provide an engaging alternate approach to math! I hope you will encourage your child to tackle these challenges, or even try to solve them as a family. Students have all week to work on their challenge problems - answers will be revealed on Friday.
Literacy
As poets we tried mimicking poems found in Love That Dog. We tried Stopping By the Woods on a Snowy Evening, Street Music, The Apple, and Valerie Worth's small poems. As we've read Love That Dog, we've seen Jack change his attitude toward poetry. I think many of us can connect with his disposition, if not towards poetry than towards other facets of life where we lack confidence and knowledge.
Ask, what's been your favorite poem to write thus far?
Listen to the signs that Jack has been changing his attitude towards poetry.
Extend the learning by reading, analyzing and mimicking poems as a family.