Hello, 206 families and friends!

Time is flying! We kicked off our class countdown, and each day a student adds a favorite memory to our number line (see photo). It’s been a wonderful way to reflect on all the amazing moments we’ve shared. We started at 43 days—and now we’re already at day 29!

In Everyday Math, we’ve been working on order of operations with number sentences that include parentheses—ask your student what PEMDAS means! We’re also learning how to create number models for multi-step problems, using a variable to represent the unknown. We’ve talked about how important it is to check whether an answer makes sense based on the question being asked.

We also began our geometry unit! Students learned how to use a protractor and identify different types of angles, and they created symmetric figures as well. As a class, we tackled word problems that involve finding patterns and using logical reasoning (my favorite!). We discussed how writing down known information in a table or grid can really help when solving more complex problems.

In writing, we’ve been working on our This I Believe essays, inspired by the NPR series. This prompt invites students to explore and express the core beliefs that guide their daily lives. I shared examples of student submissions—both written and recorded—to help spark ideas and show the power of personal storytelling.

Students brainstormed life lessons and beliefs they hold, then worked on writing true stories that illustrate those ideas. Some of the topics students wrote about include:

• Good things can come out of bad situations
• Trees are living things and we need to protect them
• When life throws you a curveball, don’t give up
• You may not always win, but you learn a lesson when you lose
• Whatever you believe, you can achieve
• Being organized is really important because it puts your brain in a healthy mindset
• Even when things are at their worst, it will pass
• Having a loving home is so important
• If you love something, keep it close
  

I love this writing project because it gives students a chance to reflect on their lives and think about what truly matters to them.

We’re loving our final class novel, The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau, a post-apocalyptic story set in the future. It has sparked thoughtful discussions and inspired our final research project: What will life look like in 2050? Students have chosen fun topics such as transportation, fashion, art, buildings, robotics, and garbage/trash. They’re researching current trends, emerging technologies, and ideas already in development. From there, they’ll imagine what their topic might look like in the future.

Students are creating Google Slides presentations to share their findings and visions, and they’ll also build physical models to represent their ideas. I’m excited about the creativity and thoughtfulness going into these projects.

Have a wonderful weekend,

Beth

Hello, 206 families and friends!

And we are back and busy!  

In Everyday Math, we are working on adding and subtracting fractions. Students have developed a strong understanding of fractions and can confidently convert between mixed numbers and fractions greater than one. We’re also learning how to plot and interpret data on a line graph. Each day, we continue to practice solving word problems, which often involve more than just math skills. Students are learning to make sense of the situation, determine what information is important, choose a strategy, and carry it through to find a solution.

In both art and writing, students created beautiful self-portraits using colorful tissue paper backgrounds, showcasing their creativity and individuality. In writing, they crafted thoughtful “Impossible Letter” poems—letters that could never be delivered! Each student chose a unique recipient for their letter, such as a big idea like peace or war, a feeling like happiness or sadness, or a meaningful object. Their ideas were incredibly imaginative and thoughtful—ask your student who they chose to write to! The poems are now proudly displayed outside our classroom for all to enjoy. We also began working on our “I Believe” essays—more on those soon!

We’ve begun our final class novel of the year: The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau! This exciting story follows two young protagonists, Lina Mayfleet and Doon Harrow, as they uncover a mysterious message hidden in a sealed box. The message reveals a possible way out of their crumbling underground city—built long ago to shelter humanity after an unknown disaster. As the city’s resources run low and the lights begin to fail, Lina and Doon must piece together clues that could lead to hope and survival.

Alongside our reading of The City of Ember, students are diving into a research project imagining what life might look like in the year 2050. Topics include areas such as fashion, art, music, jobs, transportation, robotics, agriculture and food, housing, schools, and more. After exploring their chosen topic, students will share their ideas and predictions in a creative format of their choice—this could be a Google Slides presentation, diorama, model, poster, or even a skit. I look forward to seeing these projects come together!

Finally, we partnered with Ms. Lisa’s class for a special collaborative project! Each student designed a unique puzzle piece containing part of a secret message. Once completed, we came together to assemble the puzzle and reveal the message as a whole. Afterward, we had a thoughtful discussion about its meaning and significance. Check out the photos below to see the final result!

Hope you are enjoying the beautiful weather this weekend!

Ms. Beth