This week we continued to learn about the Renaissance. Our objectives were:
Describe the great achievements of Michelangelo’s career.
Understand Michelangelo’s importance to the European Renaissance.
review vocabulary from chapters 4-6 by playing Quizlet
examine the works of Leonardo da Vinci including The Last Supper, Mona Lisa, and The Vitruvian Man
examine Donatello’s Saint George
Mathematics
This week we continued learning how to find the Area of Triangles. Our objectives were:
demonstrate understanding of the area of a triangle formula by creating a poster
review using the area of a triangle by completing a triangle maze
Lectura y Ciencias
This week we continued to work on the same objectives as last week. During the last couple weeks, and following the writing process, students have been working on their science biography projects. We started this project reading a variety of biographies and using them as mentor texts to identify the key components of this genre. After that, students wrote a timeline to identify the stages in their characters life and their main contributions to their fields of study. The last part of this project was gather all this information put it into a essay format. We are happy to inform you all that we have finalized this project and will be presenting to the class next week January 23rd and 24th. We are looking forward to the presentations.
As part of our biography studies unit, students received the biography of Martin Luther King Jr. Please have your child read this piece over the weekend as part of their daily Spanish reading and be ready to discuss in class on Tuesday.
Character Education
To continue with our Perseverance theme this week we read The Girl With a Mind For Math, The Story of Raye Montague (Hidden Figure) by Julia Mosca.
After touring a German submarine in the early 1940s, young Raye set her sights on becoming an engineer. Little did she know sexism and racial inequality would challenge that dream every step of the way, even keeping her greatest career accomplishment a secrete for decades. Through it all, the gifted mathematician persisted — finally gaining her well-deserved title in history: a pioneer who changed the course of ship design forever.
This was a wonderful book to show how Raye Montague’s entire life was a lesson in perseverance. Being told she couldn’t be an engineer because of the color of her skin and because she was female did not stop her.
This week we continued to learn about the Renaissance. Our objectives were:
review what we learned before break about Florence
take a virtual tour of Venice
create a Venn Diagram comparing Venice and Florence
understand why Michelangelo Da Vinci was called “The Renaissance Man”
Mathematics
This week we began learning how to find the Area of Triangles. Our objectives were:
complete test corrections and review how to multiply and divide fractions
understand what the base of any polygon is
practice finding the height of a triangle given the base
begin creating a poster that explains why the area of a triangle is half of its rectangle
Lectura
This week we introduced our new unit: Energy in Action. The essential question for this unit is: How does energy affect our life? The development of this unit will be closely connected to our new science module, Living Systems starting the week of January 20th. During writing we continued with our biography project. We read the biography of one of our students favorite authors, J.K. Rowling, and used is as as example on our to outline their essays. Students did a great job using their resources (linea cronologica) to organize their biography paragraphs. We will be finishing the final details next week. We talked about finding a good date were students can present their biographies to the class, and invite families that would like to attend. I will make sure I will let you know as soon as we put a date on the calendar. Other objectives this week included:
Establish purposes, audiences and the need for different genres.
Apply reading comprehension skills and strategies such as asking questions, summarizing, visualizing, identify cause and effect situations.
Understand the spelling patterns of homophones with v – b
Apply knowledge of the use of capitalization and proper punctuation.
Conjugate and understand how verbs are used in contexts, Present tense of regular verbs. Subject/ verb agreement.
Using the information gathered, accurately organize it into categories.
Cross-check different sources of information.
Dean presenting his spelling game to the class. It was so much fun!
Ciencias
Heat, Earth Materials and Conduction
As a class we discussed the concept of energy. The sun is the major source of energy that heats Earth. The different energy transfer properties of earth materials (soil and water) can lead to uneven heating of the Earth’s surface. We also discussed the concept of radiation. After that, students observed an example of heat transfer by conduction: from hot water to a container of cold water. Students discussed the mechanisms by which energy transfers to and from the air: radiation and reradiation from Earth’s surface, and conduction between Earth’s surface and air particles.
Character Education
“Be like a postage stamp, stick to something until you get there!” ~Josh Billings
During the month of January we will be learning all about Perseverance. What does it mean?
Staying with the task and not giving up.
Showing commitment, pride and a positive attitude in completing tasks.
Trying again and again and again.
Being patient and willing to work hard.
Throughout the month we will be reading several great books, discussing them and then putting our perseverance to the test with some fun activities.
This week we continued learning about the Renaissance. Our objectives were:
Recognize the role various popes played as patrons of the arts during the Renaissance
Describe the building of St. Peter’s Basilica
Take a Virtual Field trip through the Pantheon and St. Peter’s Basilica
Mathematics
This week we continued to Multiply and Divide Fractions. Our objectives were:
practice dividing a fraction by a fraction by completing real world problems
review multiplying and dividing fractions by completing holiday crafts
demonstrate understanding of the chapter by completing the chapter test
Specialists
Art with Ms. Kelly
Nutcracker Drawings
Grades 1 to 5 created some wonderful Nutcracker drawings and paintings this month! The goals were:
Learn about Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite: the music, ballet and story
Learn how to use folded paper guidelines and basic shapes to draw a nutcracker
Add details, decorations and color, using markers, watercolors, and colored pencils
Each class did a wonderful job following directions and creating their own unique Nutcracker artwork!
Small Clay Sculptures
The students used Crayola Air-dry Clay and wire to create beautiful little sculptures. They painted these with acrylic paint and wrapped them in gift boxes for a lucky recipient!
Winter Trees with Snow
The students used copies of “Sleigh Ride” sheet music to cut out tree shapes, then added torn-paper evergreens, redbirds, and white tempera paint for snow.
Renaissance Art
We had a little time to compare and contrast “Madonna and Child” artwork from the Middle Ages and
the Renaissance. We’ll start on a Renaissance-style self portrait in January!
Thank you to Ms. Stacia and Ms. Laura for helping out each week in the 4/5 class!
Everyone have a wonderful holiday!
Music with Ms. Nadia
Tis the season for jingle bells, the Nutcracker, and Frozen 2! We have had a blast jingling along to our favorite holiday songs this month, especially Jingle Bells. Games like “Echo carols” and “Finish the song” kept us on our toes—and gave plenty of opportunity for Frozen 2 songs to sneak into the class! This past class was particularly special with a pop-up Christmas tree advent calendar! Students took turns opening a small door and decorating our 3D paper tree with an ornament—did I mention it was Harry Potter themed? There was one catch—each student had to first answer a question about something we’ve learned in music class so far. The order of questioning was determined by a game of “Musical Bear”, played to selections of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker. We also played a hilarious game of “Rudolf the Red-Nose Madlibs”. Here is our version of the song:
John Cena the Blue-Nosed owl had a very tall leg.
And if you ever saw him, you would even say it fell!
All of the other ostriches used to laugh and call him Big Boy.
They never let Lucas join in any reindeer taekwondo.
Then one smelly Valentine’s Day eve, Riana came to say,
“John Cena with your fingers so flat, won’t you guide my dad tonight?”
Then how the hippogriffs loved him as shouted out with sadness!
John Cena the Blue-nosed Owl, you’ll go down in PE!
I’m enjoying this class’s creativity and enthusiasm! As the year is winding to a close, we are continuing learning the recorder. With this, students are improving their sight-reading skills! Songs we can play include Hot Cross Buns, Mary had a Little Lamb, and The Snow Song (which we sang as well). Students now know notes A, B, G, E, and D. With the new notes comes new challenges like skipping and finger placement. They can also play in various meters and are no longer caught off-guard by sneaky rests! Other highlights include dancing Zumba-style to Fire in my Soulby Walk off the Earth and All I want for Christmas is You by Mariah Carrey, playing a ukulele echo game, and singing about whales in the classic Down by the Bay.
This week we continued to learn about The Renaissance. Our objectives were:
understand linear perspective, found by Brunelleschi and Alberti, by creating a winter wonderland themed art piece
discuss Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus and how it was inspired by Roman Mythology
Understand Florentine society of the 1400s
Understand the roles of members of the Medici family in Florence’s history
Mathematics
This week we continued to learn about Multiplying and Dividing Fractions. Our objectives were:
Interpret division of a unit fraction by a non-zero whole number
Solve real world problems involving multiplication of fractions and mixed numbers, by using visual fraction models or equations to represent the problem
Solve real world problems involving division of unit fractions by non-zero whole numbers and division of whole numbers by unit fractions
Reminder that our T-Shirt Book Report is due January 10th!
Lectura
I was so very happy to share with our wonderful families all the work that our students have done this trimester during our conferences. Everybody should be very proud of their work!
It is hard to believe that our first trimester has come to an end. This week we spent our time working on our regular routines, as well as preparing for our end of the unit assessments. Students had a chance to present their creative spelling games. I am so impressed, not only by the hard work, creativity and effort they put into this project, but also by the way they incorporated the spelling concepts seen during this unit. After playing these games, students accomplished excellent results on their spelling assessment.
I will be travelling to Chile, this weekend, to visit my family and will be gone over winter break. Our class is so excited to welcome maestra Jackie as a guest teacher next week. We have some fun activities planned.
I would like to wish everyone a wonderful holiday season. I hope you all get to spend some precious family time, making exciting and fun memories together -because yes, family is indeed, the most important gift!
This week we began learning about the Renaissance. Our objectives were:
complete our Age of Exploration unit by presenting our Explorer Reports
compare and contrast the geography of 1300s Italy and present day Italy
describe how and why the Renaissance began in Italy
understand the differences between Medieval and Renaissance artists
Mathematics
This week we began learning about multiplying and dividing fractions. Our objectives were:
finish out Algebra chapter by taking the chapter test
understand how to multiply fractions “straight across”
practice multiplying fractions within word problems
understand how to multiply fractions with improper fractions
Lectura
This week we started to wrap up our unit Nuestro rincón del universo. We finished reading the biography of Ellen Ochoa – she is such an inspirational scientist who opened the path for so many women in science. We also spent time reviewing the main objectives for this unit in ortografia and gramatica. Students took home their review packet. Please make sure they practice so they are ready for our end of the unit assessments next week. Students created spelling games to help them practice for our test too. They are amazing, as always! We will be having our reading and grammar test on Tuesday the 10th, and our spelling test on Thursday the 12th. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Ben did such a great job sharing with the class his amazing trip! What a wonderful experience!
Ciencias
What is the weather and how can it be described? How do meteorologists measure and record weather variables?
Students reviewed local weather reports and determined the variables that combine to produce the weather. They were introduced to weather instruments—a thermometer, compass,and wind vane. our class is using a digital weather station with a receiver outdoors to gather weather data, and develop a plan for acquiring daily data and sharing them with the class. We will continue to work on this next week.
Wednesday Specials
Character Education
This week we were so grateful to have Dr. Torres join us for a special lesson. We brainstormed emotions and read a lovely book “Moody Cow Meditates”. We then made our own Mind Jars. We needed to imagine that this jar is our mind. When we are in a calm state, we can think clearly, and make good decisions. We imagined that the glitter is anger, worry, fear, etc – when those feelings hit, we may feel unbalanced or our thoughts may feel jumbled up. Our mind is cloudy and we can’t think as clearly. If we are still, slow down and take deep breaths our thoughts can settle and we can see more clearly and make better decisions.
Music with Ms. Nadia
During the month of November, we learned all about the Orchestra! This magical group of musicians led by a conductor is composed of four sections: strings, wood winds, brass, and percussion. Each section has a distinct sound and special place on the stage. Within these sections, each instrument has its own range (set of notes its able to play). We learned that the bigger instruments (like tubas) have lower ranges, while tiny instruments (especially the piccolo!) have higher ranges. We had fun learning through games, posters, and whiteboard drawing activities. We also used a wonderful online resource which allowed us to listen to each instrument individually. Check it out at www.mydso.com/dso-kids/learn-and-listen/instruments !
Last month we also begun learning the recorder as a group, forming a “recorder choir”. Starting simple with notes G, A, and B, students are already able to sight-read music, follow rhythms, and play in harmony! Our student songs of the month led us to participate in You’re the Fire Zumba, Lemon Boy Stretches, and a Let Me Down Slowly rhythm stick game.
This week we started working on our new writing assignment: Biographies. We reviewed the characteristics of this expository genre. Students will be selecting and writing a biography about a scientist. We also started reading the biography of Ellen Ochoa. We will continue to work on this project after we come back from Thanksgiving break.
Establish purposes, audiences and the need for different genres: Biographies.
Apply reading comprehension skills and strategies (asking questions, clarifying, summarizing, compare and contrast information)
Understand the spelling patterns of paronyms.
Identify synonyms and antonyms.
Apply knowledge of the use of capitalization and proper punctuation.
Compare and contrast multiple pieces of information or ideas, in oral and written for. Demonstrate understanding of how to compare and contrast texts.
Using the information gathered, accurately organize it into categories.
Cross-check different sources of information.
Ciencias
Focus question: What is air? What is Earth’s Atmosphere?
Using diagrams, photos from space, a video and a reading, students studied Earth’s atmosphere. They were introduced to the atmosphere as a mixture of gases with properties that change with distance above Earth’s surface. They identified the different levels of the atmosphere and worked on clearly and accurately name them (Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere, Exosphere). Applying different reading strategies and skills, students read the expository piece “Earth’s Atmosphere”. They gathered and organized relevant information (sort into categories, compare and contrast).
After we come back from Thanksgiving break, we will take a close look at the troposfera, this is where weather happens. We introduced the concept of meteorology. Over break, pease take the time to look at the weather report with your child so they get familiar with the vocabulary.
Niveles de la Atmósfera
Ubicación
Temperatura
Otras propiedades
Troposfera
Estratosfera
Mesosfera
Termosfera
Exosfera
Air is a mixture of gases held by gravity near Earth’s surface.
Air has mass, takes up space, and is compressible.
Most of Earth’s air resides in the troposphere, the layer of the atmosphere closest to the Earth’s surface.
Weather happens in the troposphere.
Character Education
During the month of November we have been focusing on Gratitude and what that means to us. We have talked about expressing our thanks when others offer us things (not asking if there is more or a different kind of the offered item). We have talked about being grateful for the time others spend with us, for the love of our families and friends, for the shelter provided to us at home and school, and for the food we eat. We talked about how not everyone has these things and how easy it is for us to take these things for granted. Sometimes it’s important to stop and think about all the wonderful people, things, and opportunities we have in our lives. Thanksgiving is the perfect time to reflect on these things and to give our thanks.
In the month of December we will be focusing on generosity. We have already spoken about being generous with our time, our words, our actions and our resources. Our tradition at SWS is to demonstrate generosity through a charitable organization. This year we are collecting gifts for the YWCA Family Shop, which allows families in need to shop for free. Tags can be picked up on the SPA bulletin board. It would be great if you could include them in this.
Art with Ms. Kelly
Fall Still Life
We continued working on our Fall Still Life project, using a variety of media and styles. Several of the students’ very creative paintings and collages have been on the bulletin board at school. Our goals:
Choose 3 different art styles to create 3 still life pictures
Look at artwork by Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, Georgia O’Keefe, Jackson Pollock
Use a variety of techniques to add color and texture
Veterans Day Heart Flags
As part of our Thanksgiving bulletin board, the students made red, white and blue heart “flags” to show their appreciation to all the Veterans who have served and are serving our country.
“Stars” by Sara Teasdale
We read this beautiful poem about the stars, to go along with the students’ Science Unit.
This week we finished our Age of Exploration poster project. Our objectives were to:
create a poster that presents information from the assigned chapter concisely
add illustrations to your poster to make it visually appealing
check for poster rough draft for spelling and grammar before creating final draft
Mathematics
This week we wrapped up our chapter on Adding and Subtracting Fractions. Our objectives were:
review concepts from the chapter by playing Trashketball
demonstrate understanding and mastery on the chapter test
correct and retake any missed questions from the test
complete the quick check questions for our next chapter Algebra
Lectura
Students took home a fun art project. Work on it over the weekend and bring back to school next week to share!
This week we continued to work on our literacy routines such as spelling and grammar. We read a fascinating expository piece about how natives peoples in the US looked at the skies to understand time and seasons. We also continued to work on our writing project, Una crítica de libro. Students have done a great job going through the writing process to develop their pieces. We are in the final stages to be able to publish and print next week. Stay tuned!
Ciencias
Focus question: What is air?
Students took a close look at the air surrounding us. They explored the properties of air by working with syringes and tubes to discover that air takes up space and is compressible. Students discussed evidence that air is matter and has mass. After that, students study Earth’s atmosphere, using diagrams, photos from space, and a reading. They are introduced to the atmosphere as a mixture of gases with properties that change with distance above Earth’s surface.
Air is a mixture of gases held by gravity near Earth’s surface.
Air has mass, takes up space, and is compressible.
Most of Earth’s air resides in the troposphere, the layer of the atmosphere closest to the Earth’s surface.
This week we continued to work on the same objectives as last week. During the last couple weeks, and following the writing process, students have been working on their science biography projects. We started this project reading a variety of biographies and using them as mentor texts to identify the key components of this genre. After that, students wrote a timeline to identify the stages in their characters life and their main contributions to their fields of study. The last part of this project was gather all this information put it into a essay format. We are happy to inform you all that we have finalized this project and will be presenting to the class next week January 23rd and 24th. We are looking forward to the presentations.
This week we continued learning about the Renaissance. Our objectives were:
Nutcracker Drawings
