This week, I’ve been reflecting on the power of teamwork. As the students prepare for the Halloween Carnival next week and continue working on projects, I remain impressed. Cooper School students can artfully navigate the tricky situations that naturally arise when collaborating with others. Passionate opinions and strong emotions can sometimes make teamwork challenging, but I’ve seen our students draw on what they’ve learned from middle school meetings, SEL lessons, and experiences with previous teachers to problem-solve and find solutions together.
In my short time at The Cooper School, it’s clear that this ability to work collaboratively is truly at the heart of our school’s ethos. Teamwork isn’t an afterthought or a bonus; it’s an intentional decision, modeled by teachers and staff and explicitly taught to students. It not only helps us achieve common goals but also encourages us to look beyond ourselves to notice, celebrate, and support others.
There’s something truly beautiful about seeing our middle schoolers come together, celebrate one another’s successes, and work toward shared goals as a team. Watching them collaborate these past few weeks has truly been a gift to my soul, and a wonderful reminder of the strength and spirit of our community.
-AB
ELA- 5th grade readers continued their novel study in The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo, annotating figurative language like simile, metaphor, idiom, allusion, and onomatopeia. Readers took the time to discuss the meaning behind such language and place examples and interpretations into a figurative language chart, which is due November 5th. This chart will be turned in alongside a figurative language illustration, which readers began brainstorming this week. 5th grade had a test on Friday and should expect to receive grades back by Wednesday of next week!
Next week, students will continue their reading of The Tale of Despereaux as they fill charts and begin working on their posters. We will also transition to our third unit in grammar.
Science- This week in science, our 5th graders explored the fascinating world of natural resources. Working collaboratively in groups, students investigated a specific resource—discovering where it is found around the world, how humans rely on it, and the environmental impacts of its collection and use.
Next week, students will build on their learning by investigating ways we can use natural resources more sustainably right here at The Cooper School.
Social Studies- This week fifth grade finished up our unit on US geography and humans impact on our land. They will be moving into European geography next along with lifestyle and peoples of the middle ages. This will be a fun unit in which students will explore Europes role in worldwide settlements and colonization.
Math- This week, 5th grade mathematicians wrapped up unit 3 by taking our unit test on Friday. We spent the first part of the week reviewing fraction multiplication and division. They were assessed on their ability to identify equivalent fractions, multiply and divide fractions, and apply those skills to real-life scenarios involving area models, recipes, fractional weights, etc.
Next week, we’ll dive into multi-digit multiplication – deriving and practicing a standard algorithm while applying it to things like area and volume of bigger things.
Important Dates:
- October 31 – Halloween Carnival (½ Day)
- November 3 – Teacher Work Day (No Students)
- November 6 – 7th Grade History in Proportion Presentation (2:00pm)
- November 10-11 – Parent Teacher Conferences (½ Days)
- November 21 – Harvest Feast (½ Day)
