I don’t know about you, but I was more than ready to get back into a routine this week! I love my kids and all, but we all needed it—ha! It’s been so great seeing the middle schoolers reunite after a few weeks off. There have been so many stories shared, hugs exchanged, and new looks to admire.
Moments like this always remind me what a special place The Cooper School is. I’ve worked in many schools over the years, and none have ever felt quite as “at home” as this one. One of my favorite times of day is watching the kids during breaks and lunch. They’re so comfortable with one another—capture the flag happening next to a kickball game (with runners cutting straight through it), a volleyball being volleyed back and forth, finger knitting on a bench, kids chatting in the playground tower. Even with so many different things going on, they’re all connected, kind, and aware of one another.
It’s truly the best to sit back and watch.
-Rives
Upcoming Dates:
- January 16 – ice skating 5th + 6th
- January 19 – MLK day no school
- January 23 – ice skating 7th + 8th
- In March, we will be going to JICP for PE. Please sign this waiver as soon as you can, so we will be ready to roll!
ELA: This week in ELA, 5th grade readers dove deeper into their nonfiction readings and research around a self-selected topic. With their research charts filled to the brim with quotes and citations, they began planning the layouts of their pocket guide zines, organizing pages based on topic summaries, main ideas, and supporting details. Students also began unit 5 of vocabulary.
Next week, students will begin carefully crafting their pocket guides, which will be due by January 22nd. They will have their grammar test on Wednesday, January 14th.
Science: This week in Science, our 5th graders began their investigation into transport systems in living things. Students started by exploring plants, examining vein patterns and leaf classifications to understand how water and nutrients move throughout a plant. They then set up growth chambers to observe wheat seeds as they sprout, allowing students to closely study how plants use water to support growth.
Next week, students will shift their focus to human transport systems, exploring how oxygen moves through the body. Through investigations of the respiratory and circulatory systems, students will test lung capacity and create models to deepen their understanding of how these systems work together to keep us healthy.
Social Studies: We had a great first week back! We have continued our work on the continent of Europe, finishing up Europe in ancient times, moving into how it changed over time and the impact the never ending wars had on their resources. We will continue next week moving into Europe today, the creation of the European Union and the struggles they still have with resources still, as well as learning about the great innovative technologies they have created to solve those issues.
Math: This week in math, 5th graders applied their previous mastery of the standard algorithm for multi-digit multiplication to decimals. We’ll do lots and lots of practice with this skill before moving on to division with decimals! Next week, we’ll dive into decimal division – they’ve all mastered the standard algorithm for division, and this won’t be much different! We’ll also explore applications of decimals in the real world.
