The Cooper School Daily
April 19, 2024
Achieving Goals in April
Last Monday, I got the privilege of leading a Middle School Meeting. Within the middle school meeting, the students and I discussed keeping our goals for ourselves in mind as the weather gets warmer and our minds get ready for summer. As the nice weather becomes consistent, and as the school year inches its way to summer, it is hard to remember to carry out our individual goals amongst the excitement.
On Monday, the students were asked to write down two of their personal goals, one being academic and one being social. Students were then asked to talk with a peer about ways they can accomplish each of their goals before the school year ends. I felt as if writing these goals down and holding a conversation about them allows the students to really bring their goals alive and add value to them.
I have asked them to hold onto their sticky notes so that they have the constant reminder of what their goals are for themselves as the school year comes to an end. I encourage you to ask your children about their goals and have those conversations about how to proceed with achieving them in order to create a deeper meaning to their thoughts.
KW
What’s happening in Science?
Fifth graders learned about the difference between mixtures and solutions this week. They were challenged with separating materials apart, by designing and engineering different methods that were the most effective. Fifth graders also considered the difference between melting and dissolving, by experimenting with M&Ms. Next week, they will think about food chemistry and why it is important.
What’s happening in Math?
This week, 5th graders began their final unit of study in which we are reviewing and connecting all of the key concepts we’ve learned this year, including decimal and fraction operations, multiplication and division of multi-digit numbers, as well as area and volume of 2-d and 3-d figures. This week, we focused on volume concepts and adding/subtracting fractions, which will lead into our review of multiplying and dividing fractions next week!
What’s happening in ELA?
5th grade readers continued their reading of Island of the Blue Dolphins, keeping close track of a variety of figurative language examples throughout their chapters. We continued to develop new ideas about possible themes in the novel, based on the hardships and survival of the lead character. We reviewed a variety of verb types and added new concepts like modal verbs to our grammar toolbox.
Next week, readers will finish Island of the Blue Dolphins and transition into a history writing unit. We will do some major grammar and verbal reasoning practice as we look forward to end of year assessments.
What’s happening in Social Studies?
In Social Studies, the fifth graders finished their Asia units! Students put final touches on their Asia mindmaps before moving into Africa! Students were first tasked with understanding new vocabulary terms before we got into the distant past and the differences between fossils and artifacts! Students finished the week with a reading about Egypt and Kush!
Next week, the students will dive into imperialism and the independence of Africa! This will lead the students into modern day Africa, where we discuss the common day, employment, government, and challenges of people living in Africa!
Important Dates:
April 19: 1st, 5th, and 7th Grade Artist of the Month- 8:15am
April 27: Spring Auction & Gala- 6pm @ Founder’s Hall (tickets available until 4/12)
May 9: 11:30 dismissal (Pass It On for Elementary School)
On Monday, the students were asked to write down two of their personal goals, one being academic and one being social. Students were then asked to talk with a peer about ways they can accomplish each of their goals before the school year ends. I felt as if writing these goals down and holding a conversation about them allows the students to really bring their goals alive and add value to them.
I have asked them to hold onto their sticky notes so that they have the constant reminder of what their goals are for themselves as the school year comes to an end. I encourage you to ask your children about their goals and have those conversations about how to proceed with achieving them in order to create a deeper meaning to their thoughts.
KW
What’s happening in Science?
Fifth graders learned about the difference between mixtures and solutions this week. They were challenged with separating materials apart, by designing and engineering different methods that were the most effective. Fifth graders also considered the difference between melting and dissolving, by experimenting with M&Ms. Next week, they will think about food chemistry and why it is important.
What’s happening in Math?
This week, 5th graders began their final unit of study in which we are reviewing and connecting all of the key concepts we’ve learned this year, including decimal and fraction operations, multiplication and division of multi-digit numbers, as well as area and volume of 2-d and 3-d figures. This week, we focused on volume concepts and adding/subtracting fractions, which will lead into our review of multiplying and dividing fractions next week!
What’s happening in ELA?
5th grade readers continued their reading of Island of the Blue Dolphins, keeping close track of a variety of figurative language examples throughout their chapters. We continued to develop new ideas about possible themes in the novel, based on the hardships and survival of the lead character. We reviewed a variety of verb types and added new concepts like modal verbs to our grammar toolbox.
Next week, readers will finish Island of the Blue Dolphins and transition into a history writing unit. We will do some major grammar and verbal reasoning practice as we look forward to end of year assessments.
What’s happening in Social Studies?
In Social Studies, the fifth graders finished their Asia units! Students put final touches on their Asia mindmaps before moving into Africa! Students were first tasked with understanding new vocabulary terms before we got into the distant past and the differences between fossils and artifacts! Students finished the week with a reading about Egypt and Kush!
Next week, the students will dive into imperialism and the independence of Africa! This will lead the students into modern day Africa, where we discuss the common day, employment, government, and challenges of people living in Africa!
Important Dates:
April 19: 1st, 5th, and 7th Grade Artist of the Month- 8:15am
April 27: Spring Auction & Gala- 6pm @ Founder’s Hall (tickets available until 4/12)
May 9: 11:30 dismissal (Pass It On for Elementary School)