Crew News 5.17.12

Announcements:

Voyage Paperwork Due May 25th: AnythingPlease see Ms. Julie's email about completing voyage paperwork and the packing list for this voyage.

 

All Library Books Due: Tomorrow, Friday May 18

Anything not turned in by then needs to be paid for.

 

Spring Climbing May 21st-25th: We need volunteers to belay

Sign ups for the Training and to Belay for a crew are available onwww.SignUpGenius.com, click the "Find a Sign Up" tab and enter Mr. Doug's email,doug.baker@dcsdk12.org

 

A Peek into our Classroom

 

Spirit week has been a hit. Here is a look at crazy hair day!

Students presenting their learning about matter and the water cycle.

Students conducting research about the life cycles of plants and animals.

Crew Learning Expedition/Writing: We concluded our "What's the Matter?" expedition with an experiment that shows the stages of the water cycle. Then to show final learning, students chose to present a skit, make a poster, or write a story about either the states of matter or the stages of the water cycle.   We launched our last research-based expedition on life cycles. We reviewed the learning from earlier grades about the life cycle of meal worms, frogs, and plants to model how to research and take notes using books and websites.     HINTS AT HOME: Tell me about your final matter or life cycle project. What animals or plants have you researched about so far?

Language: Students are expanding their knowledge of poetry to cinquains and free verse. Today we took a look poets will intentional have line breaks and divide their lines into stanzas. Then we practiced writing our own free verse poetry making line breaks. It was a success! HINTS AT HOME: Begin brainstorming some topics that you would like to write poems about.

Math: Our unit, this week, took us on a journey of weight, volume, and capacity. Students made predictions and then we measured together the weight of an orange, bolt, marble, and ping pong ball. Then we used the water-displacement method to see which had the most volume. Also, our unit has us exploring how to find the median and mean (average) of data.  HINTS AT HOME: How do you find the median and the mean?

Reading Workshop: This week we took some time to talk about what you need to think about when you read out-loud to an audience. Students got to rehearse and present "reader's theater" skits about the water cycle, while practicing their skills of reading to an audience. In the meantime, we have began another round of literature discussion groups.  HINTS AT HOME: Tell me about you literature discussion story. What are you looking forward to saying during the discussion? What have you done to prepare?

Spelling: Spelling will come home in Thursday folders. Please remind students to study these patterns and do spelling homework due next Wednesday. Click Here for our Spelling List!

CALENDAR
May 21st-25th: Spring Climbing  

May 28th: Memorial Day; No School

May 31st: Hike to Castlewood Canyon; Last Day of School