Classroom Update: 2/27/15

Thank you to those of you who were able to attend our writers’ celebration this week. We enjoyed sharing our writing and other projects that we have been working hard on with you. We have now begun a new unit on persuasive writing. Students brainstormed ideas for a persuasive piece.

In reading, we began a new unit on traditional literature. This week, we read some of Aesop’s fables. We identified the morals of the stories using textual evidence.

In math, we began our study of fractions. We have been working on partitioning shapes into fraction pieces.

In science, students compiled research for their assigned planets. Students synthesized information from a variety of articles. These resources can be accessed via students’ Google Drive accounts. As a reminder, completed planet projects are due next week.

Classroom Update: February 13, 2015

As a reminder, please complete the photo permission section on the Parent Portal of Powerschool if you have not done so already. 

During this shortened week, we wrapped up our fantasy unit. We also practiced using a new reading log template (note that this template includes new prompts!). After break, we will start a mini-unit on folktales, fables, and trickster tales. This week, we also concluded our math unit on area and perimeter.

In honor of Presidents’ Day, students wrote about what they would do as president during our writing block. We can’t wait to share these pieces with you at our writers’ celebration on February 26^th!

In science, we discussed the two ways the Earth moves in our solar system—rotating and revolving. We talked about how the Earth’s position in relation to the sun contributes to the seasons and our experience of day and night. In your child’s homework folder, you will find directions for a project on the solar system. Each student has been assigned a planet. After break, we will start collecting research in school about this planet. At home, students will create a model of their assigned planet.

This week we welcomed a new student teacher, Mr. Leong. Mr. Leong will be joining us on Thursdays throughout the months of March and April. 

Spy Ponder Sculpture Contest

STARTING NOW - Spy Ponder Snow Sculpture Contest

Looking for something to do in the snow?  Wondering how to show your Ponder Pride?  Join the Spy Ponder Snow Sculpture contest.  Find yourself a pile of snow and start building!  Bigger the better!

The theme is Ponder Pride.  You might showcase a team or build some other image from the proud history of Arlington and Arlington High School.  Members of the winning teams will receive Spy Ponder gear, pizza certificates, bragging rights, and the warm feeling of a job well done!

4 TEAM TYPES

High School

1. Large team (points for actual teams or school clubs)

2. Small teams (5 members or under)

3. Middle School Age

4. Elementary Age (parents can help)

CRITERIA

- Creativity

- Quality

- Pride

- Size

HOW TO ENTER

Send a photo, location, team category, and list of team members to Arlington High School principal Matthew Janger at mjanger@arlington.k12.ma.us by Friday, 2/13 at 8:30 am.  Winners will be announced by email, Google+, and shared with the paper.

Optional Math Challenge: Due 2/23

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8-gXqit3js-LUY0OUtGNHl1SXRwTDlrQ3lHc0tzZnlBLVhv/view?usp=sharing

There are 19 students in your classroom. On Valentine's Day, every student gives a valentine to each of the other students. How many valentines are exchanged?

Classroom Update: February 6, 2015

In reading this week, students continued to practice forming predictions using evidence from the text. After reading, we confirmed whether our predictions came true. Students practiced making predictions while reading the book Thank You, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco. We also discussed how readers ask questions while they read. Asking questions helps set a purpose for reading, because we will read on seeking answers to our questions. Students marked questions with post-it notes in their independent reading books.  

We are transitioning into a new writing unit on persuasive writing. Mark your calendars—we will be holding our next writers’ celebration on February 26 from 8:30-9!

In math, we have continued to work on area and perimeter, with a specific focus on finding the area and perimeter of irregular shapes. Soon, we will begin a unit on fractions!

In science, we began our unit on the Solar System. We made comics about the formation of our solar system, defined some solar system vocabulary, and made “planet wheels” with facts on each of the eight planets.