Week of June 13, 2016

Fifth graders sharing their Global Citizenship charities with fourth graders.

Highlights from Last Week:
Students visited the middle school on Thursday, touring the halls and peeking in classrooms. It was a great way to gain some slight familiarity with the building, as well as to meet some sixth graders.
 
Our Citizenship Expo was a big hit. Students showed off all of their hard work raising money and awareness for their chosen charities. Thanks to all of the parents and family members who listened to students’ spiels. The chorus and band concert that followed was spectacular, and a special thanks goes to Mrs. Hodge and Mr. Davis for their great musical leadership.
 
5K had the honor of welcoming Superintendent McAlduff to our classroom for Reading Day to read aloud from some funny Jon Scieszka picture books. We still owe him a thank you note!
 
We wrapped up Math for the year with the end of year assessment. Percentage scores ranged from the 50s to the 90s. It can be challenging to remember every math technique you learn in a year! One part of the test goes to the middle school, the other part goes home for parent signatures.  
 
In other subjects, students did a great job staying engaged and working hard despite the end-of-year excitement. Students have written some stellar stories that I hope to find time this week and next to share and celebrate.

What we didn't get to:

• In Social Studies, we covered up to the Battle of New York.
• We briefly discussed verb tenses, but didn’t get in depth.

This Week's Plan
 
Special:

• Hale Reservation Field Trip: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. Please see below for more details.
• Fire Safety: Friday. The fire department visits on Friday to teach students how to avoid trouble with fire.
• Puberty Video: Friday at 1:30pm. Students split by gender. They’ll learn about all of the lovely perks and pains of morphing into an adult.

 

Hale Reservation Information: 
80 Carby Street Westwood, MA 02090
Phone: 781-326-1770
www.HaleReservation.org
 
What to bring:

• Backpack for all belongings.
• Sneakers
• Refillable, plastic water bottle
• Lunch and snack – no nuts please!  
• Sunscreen and bug spray
• Hat
• Layers – it may be cool in the morning but hot in the afternoon.  Wear clothing that can adjust with the temperature.
• Rain gear, if the possibility of rain is in the forecast.

 
We leave school by 9am. We return to school at 4:45pm, depending on traffic. Pick up is at the Bus Loop. Please arrive by 4:45pm. Carpooling is encouraged!
 
 
Writing:  
Personal Narrative Celebration!

• Students share their personal narratives and the media presentations they created to go with them.

 
Reading:

• Read Aloud: We are enthralled by Rebecca Stead’s novel, “When You Reach Me.”
• Wrap up group readings: We’ll say goodbye to our info text book groups. They were a fun experiment!

Social Studies:
American Revolution.

• We’ll continue watching excerpts from the PBS miniseries, “Liberty.”

 
Homework:
Homework is minimal this week!

• Reading: I encourage students to continue reading 25 minutes per day. They do not have to log it.
• Reading Response Blog: Students must reply to the student who responded to their prompt on Blog #18 from last week.

Preview of the Last Week of School
Monday, June 20:

• Promotion rehearsal, 10-11am
• Wrap up read aloud, and other activities.
• Compile portfolios.

Tuesday, June 21:

• 5th Grade Promotion Ceremony and Reception, families invited, 9:00-11:00am, auditorium and cafeteria.
• Field Day for 4th and 5th grades, 12:30-2:30pm.

Wednesday, June 22:

• Half day, last day of school!
• Share memories, clean out cubbies and classroom spaces, say farewell ...for now :)