Community Garden:
I had a wonderful time watching the kids help prepare and plant the garlic bed at the LOCAL Community Garden last week. I believe they planted somewhere around 90 bulbs for next year's harvest. They were eager to get their hands in the soil and everyone had an active role in getting the job done. Some exciting parts included: finding fat and juicy worms, planting the bulbs, picking marigolds, finding leftover produce (cherry tomatoes, tiny eggplants), and tasting herbs, greens, and edible flowers fresh from the garden. I hope to have another opportunity to go to the garden again in the spring.
Classroom Learning:
We are coming to the final stretch of quarter one. We recently wrapped up our science unit on matter and will jump back into social studies, learning about explorers. During our literacy choice period, students have the ongoing opportunity to learn about the states. We are currently focused on New England states.
We have begun to explore the options of digital technology such as Edmodo and Twitter to support our literacy program. Children were able to listen to a question and answer session from the author of the Global Read Aloud book Fish in a Tree, Lynda Mullaly Hunt, who posts regularly on her own Twitter account. Last week, we made attempts to connect with other fifth grade classrooms in the country who are reading the same book. We shall see how it goes! Feel free to follow us @MsHoskinsClass if you have a Twitter account of your own! On Edmodo, children are currently responding to questions more related to their own independent reading choices.
In writing, we are wrapping up personal narratives. The kids have begun to type their narratives on the computer, using Google Drive on a classroom account. Spelling has been a very slow start for me this year as I am trying something new. I apologize for infrequent updates for home words lists; however, students should be practicing the words they do receive at least 3x per week.
Math students are working on place value, as well as multi digit by single digit multiplication strategies. They have learned the traditional method for multiplication and have also reviewed partial products. Please continue to support your child's math learning by setting aside time for homework each night. Students may additionally benefit from the use of flash cards for multiplication automaticity.
Running Club: Running Club ladies need to continue to remember sneakers and weather appropriate clothing.
Upcoming Events:
Halloween Dance - Friday, October 23rd
Close of Quarter 1 - October 30th
