November, to me, has always felt like the first month of winter and I start to feel a little panicked and rushed as I see the end of the year approaching. The holidays creep up with gathering gifts, attending get-togethers, and lots of travel. I also start to think about my New Year’s Resolutions, which we call our “one word” in the TCS Middle School. I always get really ambitious with my resolutions and feel like once January comes, I’m not in the space to make a big change all at once.
Reflecting on this, I’ve been listening to some podcasts about the “Winter Arc”, which is the time where we have the potential to use the coldest and darkest days of the year to refocus and set routines that will help us get to where we want to be.
With five weeks of school left before the new year, I want our students (and us!) to think about their winter arc and what habits/routines they can set in their lives to help them not only succeed when it comes time to conceptualize their “one word”, but throughout the next five school weeks, as well! When we work towards goals together, even when individualized, we’re much more likely to succeed.
AG
Math:
This week, we began our unit on multiplying and dividing multi-digit whole numbers. We started with estimation and noticing patterns with zeros before creating, understanding, and using partial products and the standard algorithm to solve multi-digit multiplication problems. Next week, we’ll practice and apply this skill before moving on to long division.
ELA:
This week in ELA, 5th grade readers finished Where the Red Fern Grows! Readers created colorful illustrations of their favorite imagery from the novel, demonstrating their masterful understanding of figurative language at work. We also completed our vocabulary test on Wednesday, so be sure to ask for those grades if you haven’t seen them yet!
Next week, we transition to a writing unit where writers will learn the art of personal storytelling. We will start another two weeks of grammar study, with a test on 11/20!
Social Studies:
The fifth grade class began a new unit this week beginning with the state’s capitals and also learning about the geography of North America. They have had fun watching a short video of the capitals as well as going over the geography of the continent. Next week we will continue with this subject matter, going over how geography plays a role in shaping human civilization as well as having a quiz on state capitals on Friday.
Science:
Fifth graders contemplated the benefits and risks of AI this week after they finished up their National Parks project. They considered the risks it could play on creative jobs, however the ease AI can allow to get work done more efficiently. Next week, they will start their biology study and think about connections between organisms.
Important Dates:
November 11&12: Parent Teacher Conferences (11:30 dismissal)
November 13: Cooper Clusters Lunch
November 22: Harvest Feast
November 25-29: Thanksgiving Break
