A Unique Opportunity for Ms. Hoskins

Did you know the world’s rainforests produce about 20% of the oxygen on Earth? The rainforest has always been an interest of mine since I can remember. I have fond memories of turning my second grade classroom into a rainforest, and doing research on tarsiers. I remember adopting a rainforest with a class in the early 90’s. I am so excited to share with you all that I will be taking a trip to Costa Rica this July to serve as a volunteer in the tiny community of El Yaz on a mission to preserve the natural beauty of the Orosi Valley. 

In Orosi Valley, rapid urbanization has caused serious problems in the rainforest ecosystem. Volunteers, like myself, will work with local inhabitants to practice efficient stewardship over the remaining forests through organic farming and various other efforts. This is a tremendous opportunity for me, and I look forward to my experience as a first time solo traveler, and volunteer vacationer.

If your child would like to get involved by making a donation of a school supply or toiletry item they may do so by bringing an item to school before June 19th. I will be bringing some of those types of things for my host community as a thank you for their welcoming hospitality. With your permission, some children may even choose to donate their lightly used school supplies rather than taking them home at the end of the year! Alternatively, they may write a brief letter about themselves, or draw a picture for children or community members to enjoy.

Thank you!

For more information on the work I will be doing, you can visit my crowd funding campaign at crowdrise.com/ashleyh or visit the volunteer organization webpage at http://www.globeaware.org and search Costa Rica - Orosi Valley. 

We are Living History!

Living History research is in full swing!!

Save the Date: June 16th

Stay tuned for more information.

Scientists at Work

This quarter, we have been studying classification in science. One important aspect of classification is being able to have a well trained eye to identify slight differences between specimens. The past two days students have engaged in an activity called Spot the Difference which I picked up from GMRI's website. On Monday, we took a look at plant samples, and today, we compared crab samples. Today, we additionally began a discussion about native vs. invasive species, and the idea of competition.

Here's what kids had to say about Spot the Difference:

"I liked it because it was a little bit of competition, and we were outside, and it was pretty creative. It was like a game, Spot It, that I know." - Drew M.

"It was a good way to help me spot similarities and differences with nature." - Debra E.

"I liked it because it was different form other things that I have played." - Sirus A.

I think the kids additionally appreciated that there was a little playtime after we were done!

Fort

Boston Chaperones Announced!

Thank you to the many volunteers who offered to come along on our trip to Boston this June. We are truly grateful that you would consider taking time away from your busy lives and schedules to share in this experience with us!

Today we drew from the "Chaperone Lottery" and found out that Rob Becker and Zada Rolfe will be joining us this time around. We are excited to have the opportunity to take a third parent, Wendy Jung, who is representing the PTA.

**Parents who were not selected through the lottery will be considered as alternates should any of our parent chaperones be unable to attend. Additionally, you will be kept in mind if other classrooms have chaperones who cannot make it. Again, we are appreciative of your volunteerism, and we are so very sorry that we cannot take everybody along.

Huzzah!

News this Week

Happy Mother's Day to our mothers, grandmothers, aunts, pet moms, and other motherly figures!

Thank you for being in our lives!

This week:

NWEAs are done! We completed the Reading NWEA on Monday, and Math NWEA on Tuesday. We were very fortunate to have the technology of chrome book laptops available so we could do testing right in our own classroom. I would be interested in polling the kids on how they felt about that option.

TShirt Fundraiser information went home today. We would like ALL fifth grade students to have a tshirt to wear to Boston. Please help your child to get his/her order in before May 22nd. I told kids I would like them by this Friday if possible so I can connect with people who may have questions before the deadline! They will be $12.00 each. PARENTS ARE WELCOME TO ORDER THESE SHIRTS AS WELL! Please indicate # of sizes needed if ordering multiple shirts.

Parent Chaperones for Boston will be announced later this week. Some classrooms are still waiting for returned volunteer forms to be approved. Thank you all for your interest and patience!

Upcoming:

We will be starting Living History/Expert Projects later this week. Please mark your calendar for our Exhibit Day on June 16th. Times/locations TBA, but will likely be in the classrooms in the fifth grade wing. Please expect your child to come home with some assignments and requests for materials for costumes and/or artifacts. This is NOT a project we would expect families to go out and spent a lot of money on. Please consider utilizing old clothing, scrap or recycled materials, or at most, hunting yard sales/second hand stores if buying an item seems necessary. I would expect that most children will be able to find what they need for free, or very minimal cost.

DRA2 - Some children will be given the DRA this spring. Others will be given a DRA-like reading assessment. We like to do these checks 2-3 times a year to measure student growth.

Classroom Learning:

We are taking a pause from Classification in science while we wait for the leaves on the trees to pop. While on our break, we have dove back into Social Studies, taking a look at Loyalists vs. Patriots.

In math, many students are learning about algebra, as well as rate, and circumference/area of circles. Some students have moved onto volume of circles.

Reading - We just wrapped up our Social Issues Unit and will be taking a more non-fiction turn for much of the rest of the quarter with Expert Topics in mind.

Writing - Children are continuing to work on their arguments either FOR or AGAINST chocolate milk in schools. Ask your child his/her side, and his/her supporting reasons!

Thank Yous:

Thank you to those of you who were able to support the PTA children's artwork fundraiser!

Congratulations to:

Mrs. Wheeler's Class for winning Penny Wars. Thank you to everyone who donated to the cause. All funds will go directly toward our Field Trip.

Beautiful day for a walk!

A huge thank you goes out to Mr. Carter, for inviting the school to participate in a trail walk for A.C.E.S. (All Children Exercising Simultaneously) today!

We could not have asked for a more beautiful day to spend outside in the woods.

**I noticed many children were fatigued after our walk. This makes me think it would be great for children to spend more time walking, as good conditioning practice for our field trip to Boston.

After our Tea Party Museum tour (40 minutes with long stretches of standing), we will be walking 1.5-2 miles, with limited opportunities for sitting. Children need to expect to be on their feet for several hours at a time.

Spring is a great time to be engaging in active play, on their feet, before our big trip!**

Classroom Announcements, Week of May 4th

May is going to be a busy month. Please check in with your child frequently to see if anything has come home for you to read and/or sign. Also, ask them about their day! We're covering some pretty interesting topics. They probably have a lot to share with you!

For 25 Ways to Ask Kids "How Was School Today?", check out this page:

http://www.simplesimonandco.com/2014/08/25-ways-ask-kids-school-today-without-asking-school-today.html/

Some of the questions are funny, some are more to the point, and some are just really good things to know!

Reminders:

Wednesday, May 6th, our class will participate in A.C.E.S. (All Children Exercising Simultaneously) by going for a walk around Hyde School. Children should wear sneakers.

Thursday, May 7th, fifth grade will be taking the MEA Science test.

Band on Friday, bring your instrument. :) 

Announcements:

Art Fundraiser - please be on the lookout for a fundraiser from the PTA which incorporates a piece of your child's artwork!

Boston Chaperone Outreach - A letter will be going home Tuesday, May 5th, regarding our Boston trip and how you can enter a lottery to potentially join us on our trip.

Screen Free Week - "Screen Free Week" starts today! Please encourage your child to get away from the TV/iPad/computer and get active! There are several fun activities planned at some of the schools, including a Bingo Night with Mr. & Mrs. Berkowitz! Get outside! Be creative! Use your imagination! Enjoy family & friends, WITHOUT the screen!