Autumnal Equinox
In one of my science classes we were talking about the Autumnal Equinox, which is Saturday, September 23rd. An urban legend states that you can stand an egg up for a few minutes during both the spring and autumnal equinox. Contrary to belief, this is not true…check out the science here. However, this urban legend led me to think about the potency of communication and how what we say matters. A convincing message can be interpreted as fact, when in fact, it can be quite false. Messages our children receive from the internet, movies, social media, and even friends mold their opinions about the world around them and themselves.
I am grateful to be in an environment everyday that brings misconceptions to light, encourages discussions about messages in the media, and has difficult conversations when friends may give a conflicting message that could be perceived as hurtful. I also will not be wasting an egg on Saturday ?
-LD
Here’s a look at what is happening in each of the classes:
What’s going on in Science?
Fifth graders compared and contrasted renewable and nonrenewable resources this week! They learned how fossil fuels are made and why it takes so long for them to be made. Fifth graders also learned about the importance of utilizing renewable energy resources because fossil fuels not only affect the environment, but will eventually run out. Lastly, the fifth graders calculated their carbon footprint and contemplated ways that they can change their lifestyle to reduce their non-renewable resource intake. Next week, they will learn about contour maps and make a map of their own!
What’s happening in Math?
This week, students learned more about multiplying whole numbers by unit fractions and fractions, and then extended that knowledge into finding the areas of rectangles with fractional side lengths.
Next week, students will continue applying their knowledge of using fractional side lengths to find the area of rectangles, then will push their understanding of fractions by multiplying mixed numbers together. They will get a study guide on Thursday to help them review for their test which they will take on Monday, October 2nd!
What’s happening in ELA?
5th grade started their first writing unit this week! We dug into the art of telling a true personal story and how to generate strong ideas. 5th grade also went over new vocabulary words. We’ll be deep in our vocabulary workbooks and weekly tests over the next four weeks!
Next week, 5th graders will work on self-assessing their writing, building their writing stamina, and selecting their best ‘small works’ of writing to develop into larger, publishable stories.
What’s happening in Social Studies?
This week, the students finished their presentations on their Native American cultural regions, before we jumped into three specific cultures (Ancestral Puebloans, Mississippians, and Iroquois). Students were then challenged to differentiate between the three in a Venn Diagram. Students then progressed into European Colonization and used that knowledge to write a diary entry about a day in the life of a colony.
Next week, the students will be learning about modern day Canada and the United States. Students will complete a mind map as their assessment of this unit. Students will then progress into their new unit: “Middle America”. Students will kick off the unit by learning about the early civilizations (Olmec, Mayan, and Aztec).
Important Dates:
Saturday, September 23rd- Charleston Battery Family Fun Night
Tuesday, September 26th- Picture Day
Monday-Tuesday, October 9-10 Fall Break
