Hello 206 families and friends!

In math, we delved into multiplicative comparisons, with students creating and understanding statements and equations related to this concept. They enjoyed playing the math game “How Much More?” to distinguish between additive and multiplicative situations. Additionally, students showcased their creativity by crafting art pieces tied to our exploration of infinity and symmetry. (See picture below)

In reading, students continue to read their battle books and share their practice questions.  We read the picture book, “Bansky Graffitied Walls and Wasn’t Sorry” by Fausto Gilberti. Additionally, I introduced a book featuring the anonymous street artist Stix, renowned for simplistic stick-figure drawings based in London. Both Bansky and Stix are known for their socially conscious murals, yet their true identities remain a mystery. Our class engaged in a thought-provoking conversation about the blurred lines between graffiti as art or vandalism.  The creation  of our Literary Graffiti Wall opened the door to discussing the significance of showcasing art publicly on walls and overpasses. We discussed the idea that these public displays serve as a medium to express beauty, emotions, and societal concerns. Notably, both Bansky and Stix express a desire for their art not to be commercialized but rather accessible to everyone, adding an interesting layer to our discussion. Students also spent time creating simple symbolic images to share the things that are important to them, such as friendship, hope and freedom.  We will continue to work on these next week.  Ask your student their feelings about Graffiti Art. 

In Social Studies, we viewed a brief video on Veterans Day and learned about the upcoming holiday Diwali starting on November 12.

During writing workshop, students presented their research on the “Greatest of All Time” (GOAT) to the class and had a chance to answer questions. It was both fun and informative to see all the different GOATs!

In Science, we revisited the article “Treat Ban,” exploring a proposed ban on five food additives found in many candies and other treats. Collaborating with Ms. Bia’s and Mr. Patrick’s classes, we investigated jawbreaker candies to understand their ingredients. Students predicted and observed the effects of placing jawbreakers in water, leading to discussions on their stance regarding the proposed ban. Ask your students about their findings from the experiment!

Have a wonderful weekend! 

Ms. Beth

Hello, 206 families and friends!

And it’s suddenly November!

In Everyday Math, students are working on unit conversions, particularly related to time. They are practicing these conversions through real-life word problems. To further their math skills, students now have a large repertoire of math games to choose and play with classmates.  A quick reminder, students have access to MobyMax and Khan Academy accounts, and we encourage them to spend at least 45 minutes per week on either or both platforms.

In reading, students are getting geared up and excited for our upcoming Battle of the Books in December.  They are creating multiple-choice questions based on the books they are reading and sharing them with their classmates. This not only helps them prepare for the event but also enhances their understanding and retention of the book’s details and events. Be sure to ask your student which book they are reading! We also started our Literary Graffiti wall and students are starting to add some of their favorite lines from their independent reading. 

In our writing and art workshop, students completed their opinion pieces and beautiful portraits on “Who is the GOAT (Greatest of All Time).”  They will presenting their piece to the class next week – so stay tuned for pictures. On Halloween students composed Halloween-themed Blackout poetry. This was a fun and challenging writing activity. In addition, our Daily Writing Prompts are picking up speed and are helping to improve writing stamina and sentence structure.  

In Science we read and discussed an article on food additives and their impact on the body.  This is in preparation for our science experiment with the upper floor classrooms next week. 

Have a wonderful weekend! 

Ms. Beth