The wild anticipation of snow in a city like Charleston is unlike any other. I’ve watched our kids join hands and skip in a circle for what would only generously be called sleet. To see them take whatever mother nature gives them with such aggressive joy is a great lesson to me. I know to appreciate what is rare and fleeting because of The Cooper School kids. I can’t imagine the joy on their faces when they got to witness anything beyond two drops of sleet!
What happens within the walls of this school is considered rare by many – hands on learning, testing as a skill rather than a value, whole student development, the open exchange of ideas and books, complete and total inclusion and belonging. I have to believe that if we keep sending our students out into society, they will be looked at as a welcome rarity. I can’t help but imagine them covering our future world with something special; like a delicate, transformative, and rare blanket of fresh snow.
-MK
Math:
This week, 5th graders continued building their decimal mastery to include multiplication and division. Next week, we’ll dive into more decimal division and apply these different operations to story problems before we begin to wrap up our unit.
ELA:
5th grade nonfiction readers wrapped up their nonfiction studies this week. They completed their pocket guides at home, which we will print and read together in celebration of their hard work next week. They will take an open-note vocabulary test on Monday to make up for weather interruptions.
Next week, 5th graders will transition to a writing study where they will learn the art of argumentative essays (final essay due date: February 21st). We will also move into our regular schedule of a two week grammar study, with a test planned for February 5th.
Social Studies:
Fifth grade continued with our discussion of South America, learning about the fantastic plant and animal life found throughout the Amazon River basin. We will continue with the Amazon River as well as learning about how humans have reshaped the area. This will include deforestation as well as the indigenous populations that call this area home.
Science:
Fifth graders learned the differences between scientific “facts, theories, laws, and hypotheses” this week. They also learned about hibernation this week! Why not, right? We are all hibernating in our own way! The sixth graders also contemplated the difference between qualitative and quantitative data. They considered the difference between the importance of using both types of data when they are conducting scientific research. Next week, they will finish up their “living systems” study and begin to think about their project where they will be investigating where in the school has the most microorganisms.
Important Dates:
January 29- 100th day of school
